Case+Study

//Case Study #4 The head of your high school's history department, Harvey Smith, asks for your support on a year-long current events elective for seniors. Every four weeks, students will select a current events topic -- economy, health care, international relations, etc. Their assignment is to access content on their topic -- text, podcasts, video etc. and journal what they learn. Harvey asks if you can help students to identify web-based resources on their topics. Is there a way students can create online journals? Harvey's techy buddy, Sam, in the science department has some cool way of knowing when his students complete lab assignments and he and his students always seems to be on top of current science news.//

= Harvey, = = I think this is a great idea for an elective course! I've set up a simple wiki to help give you ideas on how to use technology to help this class run smoothly and to help your students (and yourself) learn some 21st Century skills as well. This is just a brief overview of the multitude of programs out there. These are the ones that i have found most helpful to me. You will surely find others that work better for you. I believe that these tools will give you a good place to begin. = = This plan will address AASL Standards 3.3 and 4.3. = **-3.3 Educational Leader** Candidates develop a library media program that reflects the best practices of education and librarianship. They have a thorough understanding of current trends and issues in education. **-4.3 Comprehensive and Collaborative Strategic Planning and Assessment** Candidates collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop a library media program plan that aligns resources, services, and information literacy standards with the school's goals and objectives. = I believe that these following suggestions relate to the most current technology trends and issues facing you as a teacher today. I also believe that this Library Media program would greatly benefit not just you and your class but the entire school, and at little to no cost as all of these services are free to use. If you are successful with this endeavor I may try to talk to the principal and perhaps set up a school-wide wiki-page or blog to keep students and teachers aware of current school events and to make a common place to share news and ideas. =

= Feel free to contact me with further questions, and again to pass along what you have learned to other teachers. = = Best, = = Josh =