Future Vision Project Final Blog Post



“We have to stop thinking of an education as something that is delivered to us and instead see it as something we create for ourselves.” 
- Steven Downes


OUf! This has been a real learning experience and a time for adjustments in my professional life. All readings, tweets, websites, and blog posts I have read really helped me to see my educational vision from a different perspective.
At the beginning of this course, I wanted to pursue the idea of a more inclusive learning environment by researching and gathering reading resources that would better suit the needs of all students. I thought of e-books/audiobooks and resources for special needs such as tactile/sensory books. This is still part of my vision focus and will remain important in all future resource acquisitions. However, I really feel the need to sit down with my resource-teacher colleagues to learn about the profile of students with special needs in the school community.  Since it was not possible at the moment to accomplish that task to the extent I was hoping for, I decided to reorient my vision project towards what, in my opinion, remains the most essential and beneficial tool within the Learning Commons, a website. A revised version!

Last year, I created a teacher-only library website to facilitate access to all available educational resources: the library catalog, library novelties, Web tools, professional information such as curriculum content, programs, etc.
Here are a few screenshots of some of the former web pages:  







What I realized is that teachers forget what they are told, lack time to revisit new information or simply do not want to change their ways of doing things. It was with a little discouragement that I continued to support my colleagues and answer their questions even if I felt saying: “Please go on the Library Website, all the info you want is there!"
The most positive change was during the collaboration work time where I always made sure to put the use of the library website as part of the learning experience.

Then, I created a blog page for the whole school community where library news, novelties, students’ work, and literacy events are shared. 
And that is a great tool to attract school readers. Why? It just appeals more to everybody because it is colorful, interactive, easy to read with options to “read more”, videos, and pictures, and people feel part of it.
Now, of course, I have a lot to do with its positive impact as I take every opportunity to use it with students during their library hours which I can’t do with the teachers.

A year later and after a few discussions with colleagues, I re-evaluated the pros and cons of the Library website and decided to create a simpler, more dynamic and engaging one. And my vision project was born! 

Objectives:
- New Website Format
- Introduction of web tools
  • Powtoon
  • Video tutorial using youtube
  • Symbaloo

Before going any further, I had another peek at a few other library websites in my District and found a huge variety of website design. And that is great since each site reflects the TL’s personal interests and the school profile. Some sites are extremely simple and others quite complexed. It was also interesting to see the level of technologies used. I actually feel ahead of the game a little!

I also came across an amazing podcast which somehow influenced the way I decided to introduce web tools to teachers. This podcast is all about learning while doing. The podcast is just about 14 minutes but worth listening. It talks about two different schools of learning. One that is portrayed as an industrial training mega-structure that produced identical replicas and another which promotes teaching that involves passing wisdom, among others, to interested and willing listeners. Very interesting!  
And there is more as the podcast also introduces a book called Turning Learning Right Side Up: Putting Education Back on Track by Russel L. Ackoff and Daniel Greenberg.
I would really like to read it! 




“A child learns such fundamental things as how to walk, talk, eat, dress, and so on without being taught these things. Adults learn most of what they use at work or at leisure while at work or leisure. Most of what is taught in classroom settings is forgotten, and much or what is remembered is irrelevant.” 
- Russell L. Ackoff and Daniel Greenberg

This statement really resonates with me as I am about to create a few more video tutorials explaining how to use different web tools. Is that really what I should do knowing that the best way to learn is to explore ourselves and learn from the process? Ahah! Clarity moment!

If I want teachers to start thinking and doing things differently, I have to show the way myself, not by telling them how to do it, but by inspiring them with the final results. Having that in mind, I decided to use a few web tools to pass on specific information.

My new website objectives: 
  • Inform and promote the use of technologies 
  • Enhance and promote the curriculum
Blog:
  • Share an informal and engaging page where regular entries such as events, videos, pictures, news, students’ projects, and resource novelties are posted
  • Encourage discussion and self-expression via comments' opportunities
  • Encourage reading, learning, and reflecting
  • Encourage awareness of Learning Commons’ important role
  • Attract school community readers (admin, students, teachers, and parents)
Website:
  • Learning Commons Info:
(this page promotes three web tools: Powtoon, QuickTime Player, and Canva)
Inform about the logistics of the Learning Commons
  • For Students:
(this page promotes 5 web tools: Symbaloo, Screen Shots, Weebly, PowerPoint Online using Office 365, students’ VSB email)
Provide tools to create, learn, cite, and better search information 
Provide specific information on current events
Encourage reading, learning, and technologies’ exploration
  • For Teachers:
(this page promotes 5 web tools: Symbaloo, Screen Shots, multiple functions on Weebly, video tutorial using youtube, and Twitter)
Provide services, information, and resources
Encourage exploration of technologies
Spark curiosity and interactions between colleagues 
Encourage communication and collaboration


Here is the link to the revised website: http://trafalgarlearningcommons.weebly.com/



“How can we begin to move schools to become places of more relevant, connected, creative learning? Even with a plan, it won’t be easy.”  (Richardson, 2012)

Yes, even with a plan, it is not easy and it takes many adjustments along the way. Students, administration members, and teachers are changing and the school community profile is also changing. That means that the website needs to always be adapted to the constant changing needs. Patience and perseverance! 
Moreover, in order to keep a website (and blog) interesting and accurate, it needs regular updates. Yes, it is time-consuming but rewarding when it is appreciated and used. 

What I think will happen in the near future is that more and more teachers will promote technology as an integral part of students’ learnings and that the use of social platforms will be a common place for all to stay on the cutting edge of educational innovations. 
What remains to be done will be to continue to share with colleagues and continue to explore and learn together.
Personally, I will keep in touch with what is happening in the world of education through my Twitter account and will continue to evaluate the website and conduct surveys in order to better support all members of my school community. Next year, I also intend to launch the Tech Lunches once a month to give resources exploration time and support.
Here is below one last quote that I will continue to use as it really explains the essence of what a teacher should do to make every student learning experience successful.

“ If you’re a teacher, start by looking at and changing your personal and professional practice and learning. Develop your own connections and networks on sites like Twitter and Classroom20.com, and start creating an education for yourself around the topics you have a passion for.” (Richardson, 2012)



Sources:
Richardson, Will. (2012). Why School?: How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere [Kindle Single]. TED Conferences.

"‘The Objective of Education Is Learning, Not Teaching’." Knowledge@Wharton. The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 20 August, 2008. Web. 29 March, 2019 <http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/the-objective-of-education-is-learning-not-teaching/> 

“Blogs.” UBC Learning Commons, learningcommons.ubc.ca/tech-support/tech-help/blogs/.


“Vancouver School Library Websites.” Vancouver Teacher Librarians' Association, 8 Mar. 2013, vtla.wordpress.com/vancouver-school-library-websites/.

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