sarahmasters's Xanga

thing 23 more reflection

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:33:54 GMT

reflection my favourite thing (no seriously!)

I've added a few more techy tools to my range.

I've become more active via twitter etc (but due to iPad - good timing of course and equipment)

I've given myself time to reflect - the volunteering thing was extremely good timing and helped me to come to a decision that sits (just) okay with me professionally!

and I maintain my 'library blog' (http://mrctda.wordpress.com/) (but still struggle with that whole 'self publicising'/ is what I'm doing/saying good enough to share!)

and have started a private blog - purely for self reflection!

Cheers - and can't wait till next time!

Thing UKLibChat

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:25:02 GMT

am now following and will look forward to gleaning more useful info/debates/opinions!

didn't follow the live feed - as was behind the 23 programme - have read thr summary and apart from the comment about evernote (which I love and use on my iPad) I agree with pretty much all of the comments made.

thing 21 job hunting

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:17:49 GMT

Right now I get a kick out of helping at my local primary school in their 'library' (see thing 23!)

This is where I have wanted to go, my obvious thrill when doing it/ thinking about it, just proves that this is still the case.

So do I just keep waiting for that perfect job, and then pounce with my fabulous updated CV, and an oustanding letter of application which links allmy experiences and talents to the role they are trying to fill...

Tip

If you get called to interview - they know you can do the job, they are just checking you haven't got 'two heads' or are socially inept. Go in thinking "Do I want to work here?" or check them out for the "two-headed" condition!

thing 20 running out of ideas

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:00:55 GMT

yep did this for thing 10,

will go back and load up my route and have another browse...

thing 19 review so far

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:57:49 GMT

I've played with a few new things - prezi, screencastomatic and these have been useful.

What has made a difference to me professionally has been my recent aquisition of an iPad, as this has allowed the social networking to be more seamless and part of my daily routine.

For instance before iPad if i wanted to check out who i was following on twitter I'd have to wait for a quiet moment (how often do they happen) at school to have a look. so I rarely used twitter, and linked in even less.

However since i downloaded Flipboard and have all my my networks in one place - with easy, instant access I check these out daily - if not more often. I can do this sitting at home during the adverts (multi-tasking?) and load up / email useful links into work to deal with/ circulate the next day. very cool.

So is it the tools (which I was aware of) or the equipment (the iPad) which has had the greater impact during the course so far.....

That said, I do LOVE the idea of cpd 23 things. I particullary like the reflective parts. Like this bit! makes me stop and think rather than just relying on intuition.

thing 18 podcasting

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:50:17 GMT

can't install Jing in school = boo! - tried to years ago.....

Have now tried and used screencastomatic and find this a useful addition to my podcasting tools! I've given talks about podcasting and how I use podcasts to promote services, literacy, events, IL etc

link 1

link 2

Thing 22 volunteering

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:51:21 GMT

Volunteering

A timely topic for me as I've just started volunteering a couple of hours a fortnight at my childrens' school with the intention of helping them re-vitalise their school library.

Is it professionally ethical to volunteer my expertise etc when they currently do not employ a librarian or even a member of staff with library responsibility?

My answer (which i am living with) is...

I have always had a desire to work in a Primary School Library - inspiring children to be readers and life-long learners at a time when they are (mainly) still receptive - unlike those jaded teenagers I deal with in my day job! A job hasn't come to me - but I get to do a little of what I've always wanted to - and gain primary school experience IF that job does appear.

Secondly am I much different from any other parent who volunteers in their childrens' school - buddy reading, PTA's, etc. I'm just using slightly different skills.

Finally, I have already pointed out the guidelines about staffing the library - whether they choose to ignore it or not, and I won't do anything that makes me feel professional uncomfortable...

And now I'll be blogging - for me - as evidence and reflection....

Wish me luck!

#CPD23

Thing 17

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:50:26 GMT

Okay so I use slideshare to....

share slides/prsentations with anyone who wants to have a look;

with attendees who have been on one of my training courses and who wants to re-watch/share with colleague back at base (and I use the secret url for this -we'll they've paid to attend why give free access to everybody else who didn't pay?)

Don't really use it as an archive.... yet - but can see that happening - proberably when I decide to move institutions/jobs.

Downside to slideshare - all the inbuilt interactivity (videos, links) are lost - or don't work in slideshare.

Prezi - hmmmm, this looks interesting - going off now to play with it as I'm presenting to SLT next week.....

Thing 16 advocacy

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:41:30 GMT

I try and advocate our services, my job as I go through my work. So in service reports to line managers; College leaders, etc and when given the chance in presentations to the board of directors etc.

These tend to come into focus when there are threats to service provision - which I have, unfortunately, had to live through.

I can't see this changing in the near future. So rather than wait for the latest threat I am always looking for ways to promote the impact of the library/staff on teaching and learning, and everything that leads to improved exams results (better ofsted reports) -since these are the measurements of success that get those who make the decisions excited!

The latest of these 'ongoing' tools is my library blog. I keep this up-dated every term day (it's getting easier to do this) and just promote something that is happening in the reading/library world, and/or a service we provide..... new development so I can't comment on its' success. As a living record it is fab.

SLA has also got some links to some good links for tools on advocacy http://www.sla.org.uk/advice-advocacy-resources.php

Thing 15

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:10:52 GMT

As part of my job on the SLG committee I volunteered to be on the working party to organise the 2011 SLG conference, Choosing a theme, a name, speakers, organising these into a programme where individuals could follow a self selected programme of seminars, collecting entries for poster competition, putting together the goody bags, all good stuff. Hard work but worth it at the end of the successful conference. I was also a speaker at this conference and have given talks at other conferences, training days, local events etc. And despite the butterflies in my stomach, I really like doing these. So if you think you do something innovative, or in an unique way - share it through a local group, and get feedback, perhaps write an article for a professional mag, or online mag, and see what happens. I do like attending conferences - but cost is a killer, reflection time in online cpd like these things is easier to include, conferences are jam packed and throw an awful lot of info, and ideas in a short space of time.