Check It Out!

Check out my new Wordle for my Library Media Center.

Time for PD!

Summer Professional Development for Phillips Academy High School teachers began Monday...summer is now officially over. Monday I had the opportunity to meet new and returning teachers in the Library Media Center. Since Phillips is now an AUSL Training Academy, it was important to provide a information session about the Library Media Center. During this presentation, I discussed the history of the Phillips library, print/electronic resources, and creative use of the center. Heavy emphasis was placed on how I can assist teachers with providing meaningful lessons that support Common Core Standards. Below is the presentation I gave to the teachers and staff. Enjoy!

WPAHS LMC Teacher Orientation from K.C. Boyd

Another iMovie...

Here's another iMovie made by one of my summer camp students, Jasmine. In this video, Jasmine wanted to discuss the senseless number of CPS students that lost their lives to gun violence.   I think you will all agree, the message conveyed by this teen speak volumes.

Enjoy!

  
Stop the Violence by Jasmine F. from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Success Using iMovie!

All of the photo/video release forms have been signed and returned!  What a relief!  As promised, here's one of the very first student produced iMovie trailers.  My teens really enjoyed telling their personal stories about the Phillips Summer Camp through iMovie.   Since they did such a good job, they are now working on the next project.   Please enjoy my student's iMovie below.

Until next time, K.C.
 
Student iMovie #1 from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

See It, Hear It, Apply It!

I've been so busy with testing out what I have learned at the Chicago Public Schools iPad Academy, I forgot to upload this post.   This conference was designed to give teachers the opportunity to listen to presentations on effective implementation of iPad/mobile learning in the classroom.   I can tell you without hesitation that I learned so much during this conference and feel more confident in my use of the iPad.

CPS Librarians attend the iPad Academy

The conference began with an 'Unconference.'  (I know what you are thinking because I originally thought the same thing too!)  The unconference was really a different way of kicking off this two day event because the main goal was to start the conversation around use of iPads.   The unconference was very spontaneous and the sessions were planned by attendees.  It was also really nice to hear how CPS librarians are using iPads to support the school curriculum through their library programs.

QR Code Book Review

Also during the unconference, I met Wanda Kern and Jodie Kadonsky from Wisconsin.  Wanda,  the school's Tech. Coordinator, uses QR Codes heavily in her class.  She shared a very cool sample  book review lesson with me.  As a result of this, I'm now going to create a scavenger hunt using iPads for my freshman students in the fall.  In addition to sharing this lesson, both ladies encouraged me to create a Pinterest account.  Since creating my personal account/boards, I've been addicted to the site!

Dr. Ruben Puentedura, Keynote Speaker

Friday, day #2 of the conference, the presentations began.  Dr. Ruben Puentedura, creator of the SAMR model for selecting, using and evaluating technology in education provided the morning keynote address.   His work is quite extensive and I strongly suggest that you visit his website/weblog, Hippasus.  

As with every conference I attend, there are so many interesting sessions given within a short period of time.  Here are some of my favorite presentations from the conference where I did some session hopping:

- "My Principal Gave Me a iPad Cart and I am Scared to Death...Help!" - Kim Darche, Tech. Coordinator at Catherine Cook Elementary - hands on, practical, and energetic presentation for iPad newbies.
- Powerful Collaboration with Web 2.0 Tools by Carolyn Skibba, Tech. Coordinator at Burley Elementary - really nice presentation of the blogging website for students called KidBlog; I can't wait to share this with the teachers at my school.
- "iPads at Marine Math and Science Academy" - Matt Murphy, Tech Coordinator.  - truthful testimonials about year one iPad implementation at this high school.  After seeing his presentation, I would like to adopt a similar method of data collection to justify future purchases.

"iMovie on the iPad" - Fran Feeley, Librarian at Inter-American Magnet School, impacted me the most.  All of my dwindling questions about iMovie were answered during Fran's engaging session.  He inspired me to create this simple video above of my two cats Domino and Daisy Lee.  Since creating this video, I have used this trailer as a example for my students that I work with daily during the Phillips Summer Camp for teens.   After the students viewed my video, they created their own themed iMovie project.  Hopefully, after all of the photo/video consent forms have been returned I will be able to share them with you.


Until then, take care!

Adventures With iMovie

The last three weeks of school were really hectic!  The following posts over the next week are projects and activities that took place in the Library Media Center prior to the end of school.   Enjoy!

iMovie Service Learning Projects

After much trial and several errors, I finally got the iMovie app synced on the iPads...Yay!  This was a huge relief for me as I had set a goal of working with several classes during the end of the year project rush.  Overall, using iMovie was a really good learning experience.  After making and learning from numerous mistakes, I am now well prepared to use this popular app more effectively with my classes this fall.

For this project, I collaborated with National Board Certified Teacher Amber Henderson to complete a end of the year project with her students.  The Service Learning Project centered around the subject of teen drinking and driving.  The students research for two weeks, collected information from the S.A.D.D. website and other educational resources.  Through this research, the students learned the definition, causes and consequences of drinking and driving.  The students also delivered a survey to their peers ages 14-19 to determine the attitudes about drinking and driving.  Through this data collection and research, the students selected topics to create a script and perform their public service announcement.  The goal of this project was to educate their classmates about the consequences of drinking and driving.  

The links below will re-direct you to the school's Vimeo page.  The students were quite creative with their presentations, I hope you will enjoy them all.

Service Learning Videos

Henderson PSA Project B from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Henderson PSA Project A from WPAHS Video Page on Vimeo.

Phillips HS NOOK Book Club

Recently a staff member from, the Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries and Information Services visited one of my book club meetings.   During the visit, the staff member videotaped and interviewed the students about their use of their school issued  NOOKs.  It was really interesting to hear the students speak so candidly and honestly about their reading interests.

    

To participate in the club, the students and parents had to sign a contract.  The parents granted their child permission to read books within the Street Lit. genre and agreed to replace the device if damaged, lost or stolen.  Overall, the students have had a good time and have really enjoyed reading the selections provided.   I also learned in some of the households when the student has finished reading the book, they have shared the device with a family member to read and enjoy.   I can't tell you how happy that makes me feel as a librarian.

In the video, the students are discussing a book written by Ashley & JaQuavis called, "Murder Mamas,"  and students are receiving personal copies of teen author Ni-Ni Simone's books.    Overall, the book club has been a great success and I can't wait to invite more students to participate next year.

Enjoy the video!

Lunchtime Gaming

*Please note:  To protect the privacy of my student in this article, he will be called DeShaun. 

Lunch periods in my Library Media Center has always been reserved for students that need to study, check out books, work on a project, print or just take a mental break from the day's instruction.   Since having iPads in my LMC since February, students are now heavily involved in Gaming activities. 

Just to be clear, Gaming activities are permitted during the students free time - not during class periods.   Students visit before and after school but the majority of the foot traffic is during the lunch periods.   I quietly sit behind my circulation desk, observe and casually ask questions.   Sometimes I'll walk over to their tables and peer over their shoulders to see what all of the hype is about.  

Here are a couple of my observations:

1.  More students are visiting the LMC daily.   I often have a group of students waiting for me as early as 7:30a.m. during my LMC set up time.   The traffic has also become so heavy that I am printing more student sign-in sheets!

2.  More boys are visiting the LMC.   Usually these are the kids that have not set foot into the LMC since orientation last August.   After using the iPads, they discover that I have a large Anime/Manga collection and now they're hooked on iPads and books.

3.  Girls that I didn't know enjoyed gaming are coming into the LMC.  It's kind of funny because I see them beating the pants off of the boys while playing certain games.


4.   Some of my shy/introverted students have found a new social group/friends through lunchtime Gaming.  For example, *DeShaun who rarely has two words to say, shared his sketches with me.  Since then I introduced him to the President of the Anime/Manga Club and since joining, now has a new group of friends with similar interests.

This student's grandfather taught him how to play chess.
Now he is teaching this young lady how to play the game.

5.  Traditional games are being played.   I downloaded the Scrabble and Chess Apps and the students have been teaching each other how to play the games.  One young man taught three of his friends how to play.  Now this group comes in after school on days when I keep the LMC open until 5:00p.m.

6.  The students have been very creative in identifying apps that are free.   They read the reviews on the app store website, visit the developers homepage or learn about the apps through word of mouth.  

7.  Earlier in the month I was out of the building for training and was ill.  When I returned to work, I had a group of 'disgruntled' teens that wanted to know, what was MY problem and why I wasn't at work.  Isn't that something!

Students surrender their school
issued i.d. while using the iPads.

8.  IPad users are very responsible when using the iPads and understand it's a privilege.  They have followed my guidelines about proper use and care of the devices when they are using them.  They students have also been very cooperative.  Sometimes when I run out of iPads, the students volunteer to share their devices with other students.  In some cases, I've had three students using an iPad at one time.

Before checking in their iPad, these students
wipe of their finger prints using micro-fiber cloths.

9.  Taking pictures is a pastime that the students really enjoy.  Once I get a little more versed with iMovie, I will be introducing them to filming their own short movies.

This students likes to use PhotoBooth

10.  Teens are socializing with each other!  They are working together to develop effective strategies to play games.  

Though many don't approve of me allowing gaming activities during school hours, I just don't agree with them.  The periods of the day where I allow students to participate in Gaming activities,  are designated as the students free time.  They should be able to take a 'break' before returning to class.

What I have observed over the last couple of weeks has been only positive for my students.  Gaming is a great source of outreach for teens.  Gaming is also, a good way to change the overall image of the LMC from a place where they can't converse with each other to a place that is viewed as a cool hang out.

By providing a safe/stress free place to hang out, my students are socializing with their friends while playing video game.  They are in a environment that is filled with print/electronic resources, a supportive librarian and access to knowledge.   Because of these reasons, I will continue to push forward and continue to allow my students to play their favorite games on the iPad.

Read more about Gaming and Libraries on the I Love Libraries - Gaming  website.  Maybe next year, I'll submit a story for National Gaming Week.  Stay tuned!

Skyping With Author Ni-Ni Simone

We Skyped using a Promethean Board and iPad.

This student purchased books at the local
Walmart for her personal library at home

On Friday, May 11th, my students enjoyed a Skype session with author Ni-Ni Simone.  Simone is the popular author of teen books, "Shortie Like Mine," "Teenage Love Affair," and "Upgrade U."  My students and I are just crazy about her books, and looking forward to her new release, "No Boyz Allowed," on July 31st.  

A graduating senior
enjoys the presentation

Many of the girls discussed the challenges of maintaining positive friendships with their peers and finding real love.  They all commented how Simone's characters experienced similar challenges and how their actions helped them personally.   What I loved about this author is that she gave the girls good sound advice in a down to earth manner.  She stressed the importance loving themselves, understanding what makes them special and making good decisions that would affect their lives.  She really listened to what the girls were saying and gave advise to the teens in a non-preaching manner.   This is why many of the students that attended were so 'open' and expressed themselves and their personal feelings.  

Here's a couple of my students that made signs for the event.

If you haven't read a Ni-Ni Simone book, I strongly suggest you do.  Though the books are intended for a teen audience, adults will enjoy them too.  These books are constantly checked out from my library and some of my teaching colleagues have them in their classroom libraries.  In regards to the content of teen books like Simone's,  I often cringe at the lack of realism in the stories.  This is not the case for Simone's teen books.   The stories are true to life, the raw emotions are relatable and some of the situations that teens get themselves into are humorous.   Her books are good reads for book clubs and classroom reads because lively discussions will be derived from the reading.

Many thanks for author Ni-Ni Simone for taking time out of her busy schedule to meet with my students!

The iPads Are Here!

The iPads are here!  Oh happy day... right?  After the excitement wears down, reality creeps in:  how do I manage these devices?  After much reading and research, I developed a plan to manage my iPads for my high school library program.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will be working with Reading, Geometry, AVID, Urban Studies and Chemistry teachers.  I've already identified apps to use with the students.  But first things first, I needed to set up my iPads in a systematic manner that would be effective.  Most importantly, a set up that would not interfere with the normal 'flow' of the teacher's class period.

The following pictures and captions describe what I have done since receiving the devices last week. Though these plans are not etched in stone, I feel it's a good start.  As the students, teachers and I use these devices over the next couple of weeks, I will be compiling a list of 'what's working and what's not working.'  Wish me luck!

The syncing cart has 30 slots for iPads and enough room to store a laptop and some NOOK e-Readers.

 

Each slot is numbered and has it's own charge/sync cable. 

(look at how each number is etched in the metal surface)

  

The cart can be secured by using a combination pad 

lock that is included with the purchase of the cart.

This is what the iPad looks like when it's powered up for the first time!

After going through a registration process, I opted to skip the iTunes registration because I need more clarity about the assigned VPP email address.   (Hopefully I will have a moment tomorrow to contact a specialist)  I decided to turn on the Passcode on the iPad to discourage theft and maintain control of the use of the device.

I turned off the Keyboard Clicks option.  I just can't 

image hearing a classroom full of them during instruction!

I accessed the 'Serial Number' from the settings/general screen.  

Using powerpoint, I created lock/home screens savers and printed each number.  I took a picture of each printed number using each iPad.  For example, I used the iPad that was assigned #5 to take the picture of the above picture.   

This is what the iPad screen looks like once the lock/home screen is applied.   I decided to be a little fancy and include a picture of the school, address and phone number.

I barcoded and entered each iPad in my SOAR/TLC automation system as 'equipment'  Since the iPad will have a flexible silicone cover, I used the extra barcode and adhered it to my printed home screen/screen savers print out.  My plan is to have each print out laminated and placed in a binder.  When the students check out an iPad during class, they will exchange their id for an iPad.  I can scan their id and scan their assigned iPad (the print out) at the beginning of class.

I recorded each iPad's serial number on each print out.  (after I completed all of this work, I realized that I could have performed a screen shot to record the serial number...there's time and I will do this)  

Using the signature option on the Mail/Contact/Calendars screen, I replaced the Apple standard, 'Sent from my iPad' to 'Sent from iPad #5 and the barcode number"  This will help me greatly when students print their work. (we don't have the wireless printing option set up yet)   The catch to making this all work is I must ensure that the students remember their iPad number during the class period.

To ensure that I had recorded and numbered each iPad correctly, 

I re-scanned each iPad using my automation system. 

Using a scratch-free microfiber cloth, I cleaned each iPad screen.   Removing the fingerprints is a must!

The iPad is returned to it's correct slot and plugged back up using the charging/syncling cable.

1st NOOK Book Meeting

Today, the students and I held our first NOOK Street Lit. Book Club meeting.  We met for an hour and discussed K'wan's "The Leak."  The students also enjoyed a 'healthy' book club meal of salad, fruit, granola and juice.  Our wonderful Spanish teacher Ms Carter joined the discussion and checked out a NOOK.  She is just as excited as the students to read the next book club selection by authors Ashley and JaQuavis.

Check out the pictures below from today's meeting.

Salad, fruit and granola

Bacon bits add a zing to a salad

The Spanish olives were a hit!

Our wonderful Spanish teacher, Ms Carter, joined the discussion!

The students discussed a healthy menu for the next book club meeting.

NOOKs in the Classroom - Part I

The day has finally come.  The NOOK Simple Touch e-Readers were introduced Ms Tillman's reading classes.  These students were selected because they are interested in reading books within the Street Literature genre.  The students are especially excited to be the first class at Phillips to use the NOOKs.   The NOOKs were awarded to the Phillips Library through the Chicago Public Schools Dept. of Libraries and Information Services VITAL Grant.  The Phillips library was one in five high school libraries in the district that was awarded this grant.

During the class period, they learned the nuts-and-bolts of handling the devices and etiquette during class.   The students used the Quick Nav Button to access the home screen and library then learned how to swipe and use the side buttons to turn pages.  The students really liked the note taking and built in dictionary feature and want to use them during class discussions.  According to the students, they said these features were, "fly", which means really good!

Ms Tillman and I were really impressed by the students in her 8th period class.  They suggested that they could compare and contrast notes taken by previous classes that had read the same chapters.  I suspect they would like to make this a 'mini' competition between classes.  I'm anxious to see how this will develop over time!   The highlight of the period was when the students read and discussed an excerpt from K'Wan's book, "The Leak."   The class period ended with a lively discussion on how the student's feedback will be valued by Ms Tillman and I.

Take a look at the pictures below of the class periods from yesterday and check back from time to time to see how we progress.

The students learn that their hands must be clean before using the NOOKs.

Ms Boyd uses a ELMO and Promethian board to demonstrate how to use the NOOKs

Reading Teacher Ms Tillman ensures that students are locating the correct book.

This student uses the library menu to locate "The Leak" by K'wan.

Students following along during class.

Ms Tillman demonstrates how to use the page turn buttons on the NOOKs.

This student is participating in SSR.

Ms Boyd assists students that need help.

This student is one of my avid Street Lit. readers.  His favorite author is Sista Souljah.

Ms Tillman's 8th period class.  These boys can't wait to start reading and discussing 'The Leak" this Friday.  Special thanks to Mrs. Jones who took this picture!

NOOK Simple Touch Tutorials

     Later today I will be giving a demonstration on how to use the NOOK Simple Touch eReaders.    After speaking with the collaborating reading teacher, I learned that the students are really excited and ready to read the loaded Street Lit. books on the device.   I checked online and found some cool videos on the Barnes and Noble website that are quite helpful.

 NOOK Simple Touch Tutorial Videos

Get Ready, Get Set, READ!

Yesterday the NOOK Street Lit. Book Club at Phillips met for the very first time.   The NOOKs were purchased through a VITAL Grant that was awarded to the Library Media Center earlier this year.  The students were selected because of their love of the Street Lit. genre and willingness to participate in a weekly discussion about the selected books.  During the first meeting, the students received a brief tutorial about the use of the device and reviewed the three required readings for the week.  One of the books that they will be discussing is, "The Leak" by K'wan.  The meeting wrapped up with the students planning a 'healthy' menu of fruits and vegetables for the next club meeting.

The pictures below describe the students excitement about using the NOOKs.  Stay tuned for another update from the NOOK Street Lit. Book Club.

Notice how my students can multi-task

I can figure this out!

We have three books to read!

We are reading 'The Leak' by K'wan!

I'm going to read these books by Monday!