What are the guidelines and due date for this challenge?

I have attached my dream. I hope you can make it happen.

More and more community colleges and universities are using online courses for credit.

As a public school teacher librarian, I set up an online course for any student enrolled in my school to get them accustomed to the online learning environment and to supply them with skills they can access on the "just in time" format many digital natives rely on. I introduce them to it and enroll them on our first library orientation. Then they can explore it on their own at their convenience. Even evenings and weekends.

I use MOODLE since it is provided by the district for free and they are already registered.

My MOODLE supplies them with a digital locker in the "cloud" for them to store their work. No more e-mailing attachments or carrying pen drives.

I have "lessons" that they can access or not. There are information literacy lessons on the research process, plagiarism & copyright, how to efficiently use the district supplied databases with appropriate links for further information. There are also information units on Banned Books Week and Read Across America. They can familiarize themselves with the California Young Reader Medal Books, participate in a discussion forum on the books and even vote online for their favorite book. I can also use my Moodle for collaborative units with teachers. I can include wikis, provide students with a blog and they can turn in assignments electronically using a drop box. They can even take quizes online.

Not all teachers take advantage of all of the resources MOODLE can offer so my MOODLE also serves as a staff development tool.

Students can access my MOODLE from any internet capable computer in the world. They are now able to access MOODLE with the new i21 netbooks and any other device, such as a phone, that can browse the internet.

I use a separate MOODLE set up for specific library instructional units for my library practice students set up on a weekly format rather than the browseable separate units for the general student population.

http://moodle.sandi.net/course/view.php?id=630

What a wonderful opportunity.  This could potentially allow our students to create a reading and writing community of teachers and students.  Excited to hear more from others and learn from others and their ideas.

How about smaller prizes to more people.  We, librarians need more finanacial support because it isn't happening in the school systems from the state on down.

I was hoping for more discussion of the topic since I believe the sharing of ideas and ideals are important. That being said, I have attached my response to the "challenge" as I always like a good one. Please let me know what you think.

I was not able to attend the conference, but I am inspired by the posts to this discussion. 

We are preparing our students for a future we can scarcely imagine.  Trends in education and technology are constantly changing.  Our challenge is to teach our students to learn so that they are prepared for their future.  Authentic, meaningful, and inquiry based teaching and learning is one way to foster life long learning skills.  Collaboration with classroom teachers, a learning commons (thanks, Valerie Diggs), and a sense of a learning community( a professional learning community, included) are ways that a school librarian can foster 21st century skills. 

I have attached a PPT and a Glog to show what I think a library and librarian can do to prepare our students.

http://nrhslibrary.edu.glogster.com/21stcenturyskills/  (the YouTube video shows how the profession has changed, yet in some ways remained the same.  Here is the link as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smrrZpbvI20. )

Thank you and I look forward to more ideas!

Tracy

Students learn at different rates.  Some will be quick to adapt to 21^st century learning skills, while others adapt at a slower pace.  Once the initial instruction has begun, collaboration between students and school librarians/teachers becomes a key element in mastering new concepts and new ways to access information.  What I propose is a Collaboration Station, a dedicated area in the library where students will be provided the technological resources needed for collaborative work.  It will provide an enriched learning environment to support students in their pursuit of 21^st century skills in the use of scholarly information and help them develop critical thinking and multiple literacy skills while working in a group environment.  It will foster and support the formal and informal learning that takes place outside of the classroom.
               The station equipment in the dedicated area of the library would consist of a half-round table (ADA height), chairs, a large screen HD TV, computer, headphone sets, and necessary cabling/network connections.  The large screen TV will act as the computer monitor; the headphones will allow the audio component of projects without distracting other students in the library.  The area and equipment would be available to students whenever the library is open – before, during, and after school.  The students would be able to work together as a group, having room to both work in and share ideas.  This will give the students room to work and experiment on their own along with other students participating and learning 21^st century skills at their own rate.  It will also provide the equipment needed for librarian/teacher small group instruction before letting them adventure out on their own.  And, the equipment will also benefit special needs students.  Any student needing enlarged text will have a large screen to access.  And, for those requiring a higher table (especially those in wheelchairs), the table will be of a height where they can also participate directly in the group.
               The acquisition of 21^st century learning skills can be a daunting task.  A Collaboration Station such as this would provide an area for students to go for instruction, experimentation, sharing, and collaboration.  This would also promote team building, an attribute needed in all areas of education and future careers.

My proposal is attached.

I'm attaching my idea.  Thanks for making this possible and for challenging us not only to dream but to act!

In a nutshell, here's my vision:

The school librarian helps each student to create and develop a personal learning platform, using a tool like Netvibes, which grows, changes, and travels with the student as they develop the habits and disposition of a lifelong learner.  Over time, this digital learning platform is customized and organized by the student and includes information and resources on a wide range of subjects including both school and personal interests.  It also incorporates digital tools selected for and by the student to match their personal learning style and multiple intelligences.  The student's learning platform includes portals to the global community as well as widgets for aggregating feeds, links to wiki and social networking sites, images and videos, a protected place for personal reflection, and a public space for seeking and sharing feedback from others.  The platform is dynamic as new information, tools, and portals are continually added, changed, and enhanced, making the platform not only a growing personal learning resource, but also a digital portfolio.  The platform travels with the student from year to year, classroom to classroom, and school to home so that learning is not compartmentalized and disjointed, but fluid, consistent, always growing, and always available.  The content on the platform changes as the student engages different disciplines, teachers, and learning activities, but the underlying processes, skills, and dispositions of an effective information user & producer and emerging 21st century learner remains a constant.

Kelly Brannock, NBCT

Wendell Creative Arts & Science Magnet Elementary School

Wendell, NC

My idea:

An interdisciplinary project that confronts social issues such as discrimination, prejudice, social stratification and civil rights in the context of history, sociology, literature, and art.  The students will research (using print and electronic resources) a specific time period and topic related to broader issues such as women's right to vote, the holocaust, Japanese- American internment camps, and civil rights era.  The final product will be a student produced historical picture book set in a time of discrimnation to be shared with elementary students throughout the district, and with family during a special author night.  The best books chosen by a peer jury will become a part of the permanent library collection.

My idea is attached.  Thank you for this great opportunity to share ideas!!

Mary Alice Hudson

I don't believe true integration of 21st Century Skills will take place through any one technology tool  - but through an attitude shift. Teacher librarians must influence their schools by creating teachers who adopt an attitude of life-long learning. The media specialist has the role of guiding staff members in creating personal/professional learning networks with the goal of infusing technology into every facet of their teaching.

My additional notes on this concept are attached.

Laurie Conzemius

Pine Meadow Elementary School

Sartell, MN

LINKS for Learning:  The School Library Media Specialist as a "Learning Specialist"

In an effort to create school libraries that meet the needs of 21st century students, our district has created a professional development program for school Library Media Specialists called LINKS, (Library Integration, Network Support.)  To fulfill our mission “to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s work world,” we believe that media specialists and school libraries must play a fundamental role in helping both students and teachers acquire the information literacy, communication, and technology skills essential for teaching and learning.  The LINKS initiative also provides school administrators and media specialists with a peer coaching support system aimed at transforming school library media centers into 21st century learning environments by creating opportunities for the teacher librarian to serve as both teacher leaders and *“Learning Specialists (Zmuda, Harada).”  LINKS, which is based on the Microsoft Innovative Teacher program for peer coaching focuses on three key tools for professional growth: 1) Coaching and Communication/Collaboration Skills 2) Lesson Improvement and Design 3) Meaningful technology/curriculum integration.  As our LINKS professional learning community grows, I would like to create additional professional development training for school library media specialists that builds on these fundamentals and leverages the power of cell phones, mobile apps and Thinkfinity to enhance and enrich learning.  While not every teacher, administrator or student has a laptop or access to the Internet, a great majority does have smart phones and cell phones. Administrators and teachers need opportunities for hands-on training to understand the power of mobile devices and the wonders of widgets and QR (quick response) codes. It is my belief that combining mobile devices, with Thinkfinity resources and an established professional learning community would provide a sound pedagogical framework to teach these skills and perhaps provide greater awareness to  the school community on the benefits of mobile learning devices to support life-long learners. If awarded this grant, funding would be utilized to create a district "mobile device learning lab" that incorportates Thinkfinity and district resources as a teaching model to enhance learning with mobile devices.

*Zmuda, Allison, and Violet H. Harada. Librarians as Learning Specialists: Meeting the Learning Imperative for the 21st Century. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. Print.

Lynne Oakvik

Specialist, Media

Learning Resources & Instructional Materials

Broward County Public Schools

lynne.oakvik@browardschools.com

754-321-3320

Allison Zmuda and Thinfinity/Verizon thank you for this opportunity:  Allison, I accept your challenge to make my lessons on the cutting edge!

Please this submission for your challenge---whatever happens all members can use this lesson!

Sally Mays

techlms@gmail.com

  I am constantly trying to include more technology into my library but am hampered by the filters that my district has in place. I am currently having discussions with my district technology department to lift some of the filters.  It sounds like I will be able to have some lifted later in the year.  My idea may seem low-key, but I wanted to develop an idea that I could implement at the beginning of the year while I wait for the filtering relief to run its course.

  This year we will be a post-Accelerated Reader school.  There will be no more quiz taking by students at the completion of reading a book.  Now the library and the reading staff will be able to develop other ideas for students to "report" on the book they read.  I want to encourage book trailers as an option.  I want to introduce the students to various programs for this project.  I will help them create these projects.  Once the projects are complete I will run them on a loop on a television/DVD, computer, etc.  As the filters are lifted I will teach the students Animoto, You Tube, etc. so we can do audio and video.

  This is where my idea for this challenge comes into play. I would like to have a small device beside each book that has a pre-recorded book talk/trailer.  I want this device to be triggered by a motion sensor so the book talk/trailer starts automatically when a student approaches that book on the shelf.  I want to have numerous book talks/trailers recorded and scattered around the shelves.

  I think this will be a wonderful way to encourage reading.  This would be perfect way to provide peer book recommendations and use more technology.

21st Century Skills are about process, not product. I want to rethink and redesign my library to meet the needs of my students. My school has recently become an Arts Magnet school. I want my library to become a creative center of learning for students and teachers. I believe that if my students come to the library to collaborate, create, and share what they are learning in the classroom then they will check out books as a result of being a comfortable user of the library’s space.

In order to change how others view and use the library, it is critical to completely change the physical space of my library - to make it less about the books and more about learning. The large circulation desk will be moved and turned around to create an Arts Integration Zone, with accessible materials and table space that students need to complete projects. Students will access to art materials (paint, glue, paper) in this space as well as have open access to laptop computers for digital artwork. A stage area will be available for classes to come and present what they are learning, and students could videotape their work for evaluation. A raised stage, a sound system, two video cameras, and editing software will allow students to synthesize dramatic or dance performances. Student artwork from all disciplines will be displayed around the room and digitally on the walls through flat screen monitors. A café area with high tables and restaurant booths will be a creative classroom space for teachers and also be open for students to enjoy during lunches. Each department (math, science, etc) will have a “corner” space to set up student-created interactive exhibits for independent learning about current topics. A traditional listening center will be transformed using laptops, e-books and recording microphones for students to create their own books and photo essays. Of course, the “traditional classroom” will stay, including tables and chairs and a SmartBoard for media and classroom instruction. Our collection of 11,000 books, audiobooks, and magazines will continue to be displayed around the space – with shelving creatively placed to divide areas and also to exhibit relevant books. As students use the library’s space, they will see interesting books and check them out at a small circulation station.

I am rethinking staffing as well. Instead of the Media Specialist being “in charge,” I want to invite the Arts Integration Specialist to share the space. Currently, her space is far from the teachers, but she needs to be where the creative teaching and learning is happening. The library has office space that could easily fit another teacher desk, where the Arts Specialist and the Media Specialist could collaborate with classroom teachers to design amazing learning opportunities for our students that integrate media resources, creative resources and classroom content.

As a 21^st Century librarian, I cannot just talk about 21^st Century Skills. I must employ them as well. Rethinking the library’s purpose, and therefore the layout, is my beginning.

My idea is to create a wikispaces journal for students who participate in cultural exchange trips to Mexico and France. The wikispace is both for students here in Maryland as well as in the other countries. The full proposal is attached. Lisa

Thank you for this opportunity. No matter what, we need to come up with ideas to enhance student learning.

Linda Meckes

Teaching 21^st Century Skills

Grades: 9^th – 12^th

Subjects: English, Social Studies, Media Literacy, Science

Equipment:

-         Digital, Video, or Flip Camera

-         MAC or PC computer

Online Resources:

-         Microsoft Photo Story

-         Movie Maker

-         Mac – iMovie

-         Any free 2.0 tool such as:

1. Blabberize.com
   
2. Google Earth/Discovery Streaming
   
3. Shutterfly
   
4. Animoto
   
5. Voice Thread
   
6. http://teachweb2.wikispaces.com/
   

Plan:

After using some of these programs in class lessons, have students teacher other students a particular topic by using the web 2.0 program of their choice.

Have ready a list of topics to choose from such as: creating a web cited page, citing resources, using an EBSCOhost database (or another type of database), choosing a topic for research, etc…  Then provide students with a list of required items for their lessons: audience, topic, program used, etc…  Have them make a documentary that will teach their topic to the grade of their choice.

Attached is our proposal for expanding upon our use of modern board games to help students engage with 21st-Century Skills as well as curricular content.

Hi Everyone!

What a fabulous opportunity the AASL Thinkfinity Zmuda Challenge provides for school librarians to demonstrate that we are at the center of student learning in the 21st-Century!  My idea (attached) has been tumbling around in my head since the President's program at ALA Annual and while I am not sure it is as polished as many of yours, the calendar compels me to act today or forever wish I had!

Susan

Thank for this opportunity! 

My entry for the 21st-century skills challenge is attached.  Thank you for the opportunity.

Summary: In order to help our students acquire 21st-century skills we will conduct an online needs assessment of student access to and use of technology, create a model classroom to demonstrate infusing technology into the curriculum, and reach out to classrooms and the community through online video calls.

I am excited for this opportunity! Thank you for helping me think creatively and strategically about how to get these 21st C. Skills in front of my students in a BIG way!

Sally Kimmes

Here is my plan for the coming year.  I'll be in my second year as a school librarian in a K-5 school and have big plans at this point.  It was interesting last year trying to figure out what I could and couldn't do in the district, what worked and didn't work with students, and how to implement all the great ideas I had taken from my school SLIS studies that I was concurrnetly finishing.  I think I have a more balanced plan this year and this challenge has helped me to focus on what is really doable within my structure.

Briefly - I want to continue the collaboration I had with some 4th and 5th grade teachers to use googledocs with the students and to expand on that project to cover both grades entirely.  And then I want to challenge the students when they come in during free time (90% of my student body comes in at some point during the year at recess or lunch, I regularly have 70-90 out of 370 students in there) to use the computers more creatively then by playing the "educational" games.  I plan on introducing a challenge project revolving around a new web 2.0 app each month which will have a loosely defined structure similar to Destination Imagination (or Odyssey of the Mind) projects.

It has been interesting looking at where everyone is in this process of integrating these 21st Century Skills into our programs.  Good luck everyone this year with your projects.

Thank you for the consideration of the attached submission.

I think this is a great idea. Thanks for the opportunity to share this idea.

Patti Karam

Horace Mann Library Teacher

Newton, MA 02460

Patricia_karam@newton.k12.ma.us

Message was edited by: librarylooks

Please accept this application for your challenge.

Connie Williams

Dear librarians: We're currently reading and evaluating all the entries to the AASL Thinkfinity Zmuda Challenge. We expect to select two grant winners by August 31, and announce those winners after Labor Day. We will notify the winners by email and post an update on the community.

We're inspired by the quantity and breadth of your entries—we look forward to seeing these ideas in action!

Christine
Community Manager

The ALA and Verizon Thinkfinity are excited to announce the two winning ideas of the Zmuda Challenge, submitted by AASL members Susan Ballard and Sophie Brookover. Each will receive $5,000 from Verizon Thinkfinity.

We thank everyone who submitted an idea to the challenge, and hope school librarians will continue to exchange ideas on how to help students acquire 21st-Century skills. Learn more about the winning concepts below and in the ALA press release.

Susan Ballard: ENGage with the Library - Your byline, online
Ballard is a director of library media and technology at Londonderry School District in Londonberry, N.H. Her idea, ENGage with the Library—Your byline, online, creates an opportunity for school librarians to collaborate with content, journalism and radio/TV production teachers, school newspaper staffs and student broadcasters. The collaboration would allow students-at-large to contribute dynamic content to school online publications and outlets while developing 21st century skills related to electronic news gathering, or ENG.

In addition to learning about the use of resources and technologies used in ENG, students will learn about guidelines and ethics that govern journalistic activities, copyright and intellectual property considerations and the concept of authority in content review. “Writing, planning and organizational skills are also incorporated in the process,” explained Ballard.

Sophie Brookover: School-wide TEDx Challenge
After being notified by AASL leadership, Brookover, enthusiastically said, “My teachers are thrilled about the grant money! The monies will provide funding for library resources to support the topics students present, presentation strategies and guidelines.”

Brookover, school librarian at Eastern Regional Senior High School in Voorhees, N.J., submitted her idea, School-wide TEDx Challenge. Explaining her project, Brookover said, “My project is to provide a framework in which students can develop 21st-century communication skills by producing a TEDx event for the school and community.” The TEDxEasternHighSchool conference would build on TED’s mission of “ideas worth spreading” by giving students the opportunity to share ideas and proposals in the areas of the arts, community involvement, education, science, technology and business.