FMQ: Florida Media Quarterly
Fall 2016 Volume 42 No. 1
FMQ publication disclaimer statement:
Florida Media Quarterly is the official publication of the Florida Association for Media in Education, Inc., and is published at least four times annually: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Interested persons are invited to submit material for publication. For special information on articles and advertising, visit our website at www.floridamediaed.org. Text submitted becomes the property of FMQ and is not returned. FMQ is not responsible for the accuracy of material, including references, tables, etc., and for obtaining necessary releases. The opinions expressed in Florida Media Quarterly are those of the authors and not necessarily those of FAME. Articles are the property of the authors indicated, and any use rights must be sought from the author. FAME is not responsible for the accuracy of text submitted; contributors are responsible for the reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided full acknowledgements are given and FAME is notified. All members of FAME have access to the FMQ via the webpage of the FAME website at www.floridamediaed.org.
Nancy Mijangos, FMQ Editor
Kathy Lancaster, FMQ Contributing Editor
A Letter from Lucretia Miller, 2016-17 FAME President
I have always loved the start of school. I mean always. From kindergarten through high school to being on the other side as a school librarian, I look forward to this time of year. There is something in my DNA that loves new beginnings. Perhaps it is the grace that after all my mistakes from the previous year, I have another opportunity to get it all right. Perhaps it is the anticipation and wonder of the unknown and what the year will bring. Perhaps it is the optimism that without a doubt this will be the best. year. ever. I believe it is the confluence of all the emotions that fill me with giddiness of the year to come.
This year is no different in my excitement, but there is a unique twist. This start of school brings not only the annual fervor of getting the library ready for new (bigger! better! more tech! more collaboration! more research! more reading!) adventures, but as president of FAME, I am also deep in the fervor of planning for another new (bigger! better! more tech! more collaboration! more research! more authors! more sessions!) FAME conference. The irony that this time of planning for the new is also bringing an end to my tenure as FAME president has made me reflective on both the past year and the strong future of FAME.
As I prepare to leave office, I am proud of the state of FAME after my year as your leader. During this year, FAME has created a Strategic Plan built on your input. This plan, which will be unveiled at the 44th Annual Conference, will ensure that FAME stays true to its mission of supporting you and our profession. After three years of moving to be a self-managed organization, FAME is stronger than ever and growing with more programs for our students and more training for you to be effective teachers of information literacy. With our involvement in the development of ESSA in Florida, FAME will help ensure the relevance of our profession. As our #FAME16 theme reiterates, we are indeed, “Staying Relevant by Moving Forward.”
As you read through this edition of FMQ, I hope you will be inspired by the professional development specific to our profession offered at #FAME16 and proud of the programs FAME offers. The Jim Harbin Student Media Festival is ready to announce and celebrate the state winners and this year we added the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. program to our other three student-choice reading programs. We aligned all four programs so that SSYRA Jr., SSYRA 3-5, SSYRA 6-8, and Florida Teens Read (FTR) build on each other and are more influential. In doing so, Florida is now the number two state in the nation as an indicator of youth book sales according to the publishers. Basically, we are book pushers extraordinaire.
We also offered monthly professional development webinars in a variety of topics based on your surveys. In looking through what #FAME16 is offering, please focus on the outstanding Wednesday workshops we have for you. FAME has scheduled workshops on learning how to teach coding in the library, top tech-integration tools, storytelling 2.0, how to effectively teach research through essential questions, and the new school librarian all-day workshop. All workshops are facilitated by national leaders in our field, from Paul Reynolds (last year’s opening keynote speaker) to Paige Jaeger (national author on school-library instruction).
I hope that your start-of-school has gone smoothly and that as you are transitioning into routines, you are also getting excited about “moving forward” with those routines by integrating the wonderful ideas you will absorb in October at #FAME16. I am looking forward to seeing you all in Orlando next month and sharing in the joy that is our unique profession.
Ten Things Your Administrator Needs to Know as the School Year Begins
By Audrey Church, 2016-17 AASL President
10. That you are a teacher who teaches not content but process. You teach children to be information literate, digitally literate, media literate, and visually literate. The skills that you teach, the dispositions that you help children to develop, the responsibilities that you foster, and the self-assessment strategies that you instill will serve children not only in school but also in life. You are, first and foremost, a teacher!
9. That you are an information specialist, the original, most powerful search engine, able to decipher the most cryptic reference question and connect that child or that teacher with the information needed. You know the resources; you know your patrons, and you connect the two.
8. That you are an instructional partner who works collaboratively with all other educators in the building to teach critical information skills in the context of content curriculum. You are there to partner with that teacher who wants to present a lesson in a different way or who wants to have children create a more authentic product to demonstrate real learning. Because of your participation, the lesson is stronger and more effective.
7. That you are an instructional leader with a view and perspective of the school like no other. You see across grades and across content areas. You work with all students and with all teachers. You are well versed in the latest technologies and are able to integrate them effectively into instruction, and you’re able to provide professional development on library resources and technologies for your colleagues.
6. That you are a program administrator who does a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to make sure that the library program runs smoothly. So much of your job is invisible, and your principal needs to know that.
5. That you empower students to become critical thinkers. Through lessons in the library students experience everything from comparing and contrasting nonfiction and fiction works on the same topic to creating in a makerspace to evaluating information found on the Web.
4. That you empower students to become enthusiastic readers as you do everything in your power to help them develop not only skills in reading but also a lifelong love of reading. You provide books in various formats (print, audio, ebook) and in various genres to meet students’ information and recreational reading needs. You host reading promotions, and you stress the joy of reading.
3. That you empower students to become skillful researchers. You teach children to unpack information using text features in books. You teach children how to summarize and how to synthesize, and you teach them the differences in the two. You teach children to narrow topics, develop research questions, and search effectively to answer those questions.
2. That you empower students to become ethical users of information. You teach the concept of intellectual property, of citation, and of giving credit where credit is due. You help children to understand what plagiarism is, and you teach them how to extract and process and synthesize information to create a new product.
1. That school librarians transform student learning and that this is much easier to accomplish with administrative support. An administrator’s support can come in many forms: a healthy budget, a schedule that allows for common planning time with teachers, affirmation to faculty of the important role of the library program in the school and in student learning.
If your administrator already knows these things, wonderful! You or a librarian with whom they’ve worked in the past has demonstrated what a 21st-century school librarian does! If your administrator is not so knowledgeable about the key role that you can play in the instruction that takes place in your school, now is the time to speak up and share. Be the librarian that delivers that message!
“Church, Audrey. 2016. “Ten Things Your Administrator Needs to Know as the School Year Begins.” Knowledge Quest website (August 10), http://knowledgequest.aasl.org/ten-things-administrator-needs-know-school-year-begins/.”
Using eBooks as a Reading Hook: eReaders and Apps to Motivate and Engage
Lory Haas
Written and submitted by Lory Haas, Donna Cox, Elizabeth Lasley, and Thomas Sosebee
How many times have you been asked to focus on technology, student-directed learning, active engagement, student interests, student choice, differentiating instruction, and building parent relationships? As teachers we are continually seeking ways to engage children in the learning process and motivate them to read. Additionally, we serve as a resource to parents who often ask our opinion and advice regarding supplemental reading materials for children to use at home. Literature needs to be flexible and adaptable to the diverse needs of learners to optimize learning and provide optimal support.
So how can we optimize learning and make reading engaging, accessible and a reality for all learners? For some, the features available for eBooks or electronic texts, through reading program apps may be a method to support learners with various interests, needs and abilities. Additionally, there are unique features and capabilities within various digital devices, eReaders, that can provide accommodations to support reading and allow readers to interact with text, thus motivating more reluctant readers. Some apps for eBooks are multimodal and provide access to sound, the ability to access definitions of words, or illustrations which support the text and engage learners, ultimately increasing reading motivation and performance (Lai, 2016; Shamir &Baruch 2012). Students may also have access to an eReader at home that many parents would be more than happy for children to use for reading purposes.
What should be considered when determining access and use of eBooks and selection of reading apps? Initial considerations regarding eReaders should include: device availability, cost per device, program or app availability and cost, Internet access, and security restrictions that can be imposed.
The next factors to contemplate are in reference to the app features available to support readers:
- Does the app have a ‘read to me’ feature for children to hear the text and follow along? This can be turned on or off based on the needs of the learner. Some children may choose to hear a text read to them and then read it to themselves. At times, children may just prefer to hear versus reading it independently. This helps build fluency and comprehension as the reader can focus on the story without struggling to decode words. Text-to-speech can be supported through vocabulary and fluency and can be especially enhanced with synchronized highlighting of the text. Additionally, ear buds can be used to allow readers to listen to the story without disturbing others or to tune out distractions that may impede their comprehension.
- Can the reader highlight the text or will the text highlight in the ‘read to me’ mode? This contributes to learning good scanning techniques for reading such as where to begin on the page and reading left to right across the page.
- Is there a dictionary so readers have the opportunity to highlight words the reader has difficulty decoding or understanding the meaning?
- Are there a wide variety of genres available? Children may prefer one genre or enjoy the ability to explore an array of genres.
- Are the texts of good quality? Some apps may not have high quality literature that enhances students reading and supports comprehension on higher, more critical levels. Is there strong character and plot development or that nonfiction texts provide solid factual information and use text features to support learning the content.
- Is there a range of texts at various reading levels available for download? Some reading apps may be more geared to lower levels and other apps may be more appropriate for readers at the upper grades. The key point is to be sure the reader can access texts that will engage and motivate them to read.
The chart below indicates four apps that may be available for classroom use and address the six features.
Let’s revisit the initial question. How can we as teachers place emphasis on technology, student-directed learning, active engagement, student interests, student choice, differentiating instruction, and building parent relationships and differentiate instruction? One possibility that may address each of these is the inclusion of eReaders in the classroom, as well as encouragement to use digital device at home. For some children this may be the right tool for engaging and motivating them to read. Isn’t that our ultimate goal?
We want children to read—that’s the bottom line. eReaders and apps with specific features offer some children reading independence. This is especially important for children who struggle with reading or are reading below level and are aware of the reading levels of those around them. Autonomy within a supportive environment, in this case an eReader, is associated with higher levels of intrinsic motivation (Ryan & Deci, 2000). Allowing student choice regarding the length and level of book they are reading promotes a safe and reassuring environment. Therefore, using an eReader somewhat levels the playing field, as only the reader knows the reading level of the text on the device and also the length of the text. Students have the opportunity to become independent self-directed and engaged learners.
References:
Lai, C. (2016). Integrating e-books into science teaching by preservice elementary school teachers. Journal of Education in Science, Environment and Health (JESEH), 2(1), 57-66.
Ryan, R. L., & Deci, E. M. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(2), 68–78.
Shamir, A., & Baruch, D. (2012). Educational e-books: A support for vocabulary and early math for children at risk for learning disabilities. Educational Media International, 49(1), 33-47.
Sources:
1. Leap Frog. http://www.leapfrog.com/
2. GIZMAG.com Review: LeapFrog LeapPad Platinum tablet for kids. http://www.gizmag.com/review-leapfrog-leappad-platinum-kids-tablet/39610/
3. Common Sense Media review of Reading Rainbow App. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/reading-rainbow
4. Gadgets 360 Amazon Kindle FreeTime Review. http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/reviews/amazon-kindle-freetime-review-469809
5. User Reviews on Google Play store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.abcmouse.academy_goo&hl=en
Contact Information for the Authors:
Lory E. Haas*
Sam Houston State University
Box 2119
Huntsville, TX 77341
Assistant Professor
Elizabeth Lasley**
Sam Houston State University
Box 2119
Huntsville, TX 77341
Assistant Professor
Thomas Sosebee***
Sam Houston State University
Box 2119
Huntsville, TX 77341
Instructional Designer
Donna Cox****
Sam Houston State University
Box 2119
Huntsville, TX 77341
Associate Professor
Introduction to the Amendments to the FAME Bylaws 2016
The Governing Documents Committee is continuing a systematic revision of the FAME Bylaws. The major focus for revision this year is Article VIII – Duties of the Officers. Article XI – Independent Contractors is also modified to reflect current practices of the organization.
Another major revision is the change of FAME’s fiscal year to July 1 through June 30 in Article XIV – Finances. This modification was requested by the Chair of the Finance Committee as part of a review of the timeline of activities, which is located in the FAME Handbook of Policies & Procedures.
Two additional sections have been changed. FAME’s newest committee, the SSYRA Jr. Committee, has been added to Article XIII – Committees. Minor updates have been added to several other committee sections, including the Committee on Communications, the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Florida Teens Read, the Committee on Scholarships, and the Committee on Sunshine State Young Readers Award. Finally, Article XIV – Amendments has been expanded to describe the work of the Governing Documents Committee in coordinating the language of the Bylaws and the FAME Policies & Procedures Handbook.
These Proposed Amendments to the FAME Bylaws 2016 were approved by the Board of Directors on May 24, 2016, at the Spring Board meeting. If approved by the membership during the Business meeting at the annual FAME Conference, these changes will go into effect immediately and the revised document will be posted on the FAME website.
The deleted text from the Bylaws is “lined out” with new language indicated in bold Italics.
Amendments to the FAME Bylaws 2016
ARTICLE VIII – DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 2. Immediate Past President
In the absence of the President, the Immediate Past President shall assume the duties of the President.
The Immediate Past President shall assume other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the President.
If the position of President should become vacant, the Immediate Past President shall assume that office.
The Immediate Past President shall serve in an advisory role to the leaders of the Association and will assume other responsibilities and duties as assigned by the President and/or Board of Directors.
Section 3. President-Elect
The President-Elect shall assume responsibilities as may be assigned by the President.
The President-Elect shall call and preside over meetings in the absence of the President.
The President-Elect shall participate in the work of committees as specified in these Bylaws and assume other responsibilities as may be assigned by the President and/or Board of Directors.
Section 4. Secretary
The Secretary shall perform such duties as are usually expected of that officer in carrying out the policies of the organization serve as the recording officer of the Association, maintain the records of the Association, except for those specifically assigned to others in the Bylaws, and perform other duties as assigned by the President and/or Board of Directors.
Section 5. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall perform such duties as are usually expected of that officer in carrying out the policies of the organization.
The Treasurer shall maintain financial records for the Association and perform other duties related to the finances of the Corporation as directed by the President and/or Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall be a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI – INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
Section 1. Association Executive Independent Contractors
The Association may hire Independent Contractors to serve as an association executive to assist in the daily operation of the Association.
Section 2. Lobbyist
The Association may hire an Independent Contractor to serve as a lobbyist to represent FAME’s special interests in the Florida Legislature.
Section 3. Term of Contract
Independent Contractors shall be hired with an annual contract with responsibilities clearly stated. A multiple year contract may be considered, after 3 years of satisfactory evaluation.
Section 4. Evaluation
An annual evaluation of Independent Contractors shall be completed by the President and affirmed by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Voting Rights
Independent Contractors shall be non-voting members of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Budget
Independent Contractors shall submit budget requests and committee reports as needed.
Section 7. Reports
Independent Contractors shall submit an annual report of accomplishments.
ARTICLE XIII – COMMITTEES
Section 2. Names of Standing Committees
In the Corporation, the following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President or by the President-Elect, or elected by the Board of Directors in accordance with the requirement of the Bylaws:
- Committee on Awards
- Committee on Communications
- Committee on Finance
- Committee on Florida Teens Read
- Committee on Governing Documents
- Committee on Intellectual Freedom
- Committee on Jim Harbin Student Media Festival
- Committee on Leadership Development
- Committee on Legislation
- Committee on Membership
- Committee on Nominations
- Committee on Professional Development
- Committee on Scholarships
- Committee on Sunshine State Young Readers Award
- Committee on Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr.
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Conference Committee
All committee appointments shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Committee on Communications
The Chairman of the Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board.
Section 7. Committee on Finance
The Committee on Finance shall consist of seven members: the last two Presidents, the President-Elect, one other member of the Board of Directors, and three individuals from the membership at large. The Committee shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer of the Corporation shall serve on the Committee as an ex-officio member.
Each member shall serve a two-year term.
The Chair of the Committee shall be appointed by the President from those duly appointed members. To be eligible for Chairman, this person must have served at least one year as a member of the Committee.
Each member may be reappointed, not to exceed four total years.
Section 8. Committee on Florida Teens Read
The Committee on the Florida Teens Read Award shall consist of 12 members, plus a Chair, appointed by the President-Elect and approved by the Board of Directors at the Spring Board meeting.
The Committee members shall represent the geographical areas of the state.
Each member shall serve a three-year term, except for the Chair, with each member rotating off the Committee at the end of his/her term. Each year four members will rotate off the Committee, with four new members being appointed to the Committee. New Committee members will be appointed by the President-Elect.
The Chair must have served as a member of the Committee and shall be appointed to a one-year term by the President-Elect and approved by the Executive Board of Directors. The Chair may be reappointed twice for a maximum of three years. The Chair shall also serve one year as advisor to the Committee upon completion of his/her term.
Committee members may not be reappointed to consecutive terms.
Section 17. Committee on Scholarships
The Committee on Scholarships shall consist of three members and a chair appointed by the President. The Committee on Scholarships shall consist of four members appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.
One member shall be a post-secondary appointment. The post-secondary appointee shall be rotated among the different state library media programs and shall be a non-voting member.
The Chairman shall be appointed by the President from the active members. To be eligible for Chairman, this person must have served at least one year as a member of the Committee.
Members shall serve rotating three-year terms. Each member shall serve a one-year term.
Committee members may not be reappointed to consecutive serve more than three consecutive terms.
Section 18. Committee on Sunshine State Young Readers Award
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award Committee shall consist of ten members 20 members, including a Chair, appointed by the President-Elect and approved by the Board of Directors at the Spring Board Meeting. Ten members are appointed by the President-Elect. The Florida Department of Education Liaison shall also serve on this Committee as an ex-officio member and will appoint ten additional FAME members. All member appointments must be approved by the Board of Directors at the Spring Board meeting.
The Committee members shall represent the geographical areas of the state.
One ex-officio member from the Florida DOE School Library Media Services.
Each member shall serve a three-year term. Each year three members will rotate off the Committee, with three new members being appointed each year. Each member shall serve a three-year term, except for the Chair, with each member rotating off the Committee at the end of his/her term.
The Chair, who has previously served on the Committee, must have served previously on this Committee and shall be appointed to a one-year term by the President-Elect in consultation with the co-sponsoring agency, the Florida the DOE Liaison. School Library Media Services Office. The Chair may be re-appointed twice for a maximum of three years. The Chair shall also serve one year as advisor to the Committee upon completion of his/her term.
Committee members may not be reappointed to consecutive terms.
Section 19. Committee on SSYRA Jr.
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. Committee shall consist of 11 members, including a Chair, appointed by the President-Elect and approved by the Board of Directors at the Spring Board meeting.
The Committee members shall represent the geographic regions of the state.
Each member shall serve a three-year term, except for the Chair, with each member rotating off the Committee at the end of his/her term. New Committee members will be appointed by the President-Elect.
The Chair must have served previously as a member of the Committee and shall be appointed to a one-year term by the President-Elect and approved by the Board of Directors. The Chair may be reappointed twice for a maximum of three years. The Chair shall also serve one year as advisor to the Committee upon completion of his/her term.
Committee members may not be reappointed to consecutive terms.
Article XIV – FINANCES
Section 3. Annual Conference
The Board will approve all FAME annual conference related contracts. Approval of such contracts may be conducted at a Board meeting, or done electronically.
Prior to approval of any such contract(s), the FAME management company Conference Chair will provide a copy of the actual conference contract(s) and a summary highlighting the main points of the contract(s) to all Board members for their consideration.
Section 6. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall be set from January 1 July 1 through December 31 June 30. This does not change the membership year as set forth in Article XV, Section 1 of these Bylaws.
Article XIX – AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended in the following manner:
Section 4. Corrections to the Bylaws
The Governing Documents Committee shall report to the Board of Directors any needed changes as a result of discrepancy, inconsistency, lack of clarity, or obsolescence. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation shall will be corrected as deemed necessary by the Committee on Governing Documents.
ESSA Update
FAME has been working with John Chrastka, from the advocacy group EveryLibrary, to prepare for and be involved in the implementation of ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), the new Bill that was passed in December.
Decisions are currently being made in the FDOE and Legislature on how to best fund and
implement this Bill on the state level. FAME is excited to have a voice in this process. If you are interested in representing your profession and helping to make sure that school librarians and strong school library programs are funded through this Bill, please consider serving on FAME’s Committee on Legislature. Immediate steps need to be taken to move our talking points to policy recommendations. The window for public comments is open from September through December, so we need to act quickly. Please contact Michelle Jarrett (jarrettm@osceola.k12.fl.us), Legislative chair, if you are interested in serving on this important committee. A video conference call will be arranged soon with John from EveryLibrary to aid us in this process. Also be sure to attend the ESSA and Legislative sessions during conference!
2016 Amanda Award Winner
FAME 44th Annual Conference
Plans are well underway for FAME’s 44th Annual Conference: “Staying Relevant by Moving Forward.” The conference committee has been working diligently all year to provide you with three days of targeted professional development specific to our role as school librarians. Annual conference is a time to take a few days away from our schools in order to network, learn, laugh, and leave rejuvenated and ready to move forward with new knowledge to apply directly to our students, staff, and library programs. It is the best investment one can make in our careers that indirectly affects the students throughout Florida.
Along with the traditional opening session and closing sessions with keynote speakers, our concurrent sessions, our expo hall with fabulous vendors, our President’s Reception, our hugely successful Basket Raffle, the Jim Harbin Student Media Festival, and our many author sessions and book signings, we will be offering some new fun activities.
Wednesday starts off the conference with our incredible selection of workshops, moves to our new “Speed Dating with Authors!” event, and ends with the grand opening of the expo hall with your favorite and soon-to-be- new favorite vendors! The speed dating event is an opportunity for you to meet and mingle with the authors and find out a bit of what they will be showcasing during their concurrent session. Also new this year FAME is excited to welcome AASL, YALSA, and ALA representatives. There will be sessions on resources provided to you as an affiliate member of AASL, what’s new in the YA world, and how to prepare for ESSA.
The conference committee is also looking forward to our new “Spotlight” lounge in the expo hall where there will be continual sessions from the Digital Hub, new “Book Buzz” sessions with publishers highlighting their upcoming favorite titles and authors, and a FAME “Smackdown” panel where librarians duke it out with their favorite tips/tools/advice in a rapid-fire session full of laughs and awesome tips.
And of course it wouldn’t be a proper FAME annual conference without a lot of networking and laughter. We will have a repeat of the wildly popular “Late Night Library Games” on Thursday night after the President’s Reception, where teams of authors and librarians compete in very serious games of Battle Decks and Family Feud. Social media will be active with special Snap Chat FAME filters and #FAME16. Local arrangements has put together a list of nearby attractions within walking distance from our resort to keep you busy after dark.
For more information about the conference and the “advocate to attend” letter for your
administrator, visit FAME’s webpage (http://www.floridamediaed.org/conference.html) To register for the conference and the workshops, go to the official #FAME16 website hosted by eventPower: http://website.eventpower.com/16FAME/Home
We look forward to seeing you soon in Orlando!
FAME Wednesday Workshops, October 19: $60.00 each
Repackaging Research with Relevance
Repackaging Research with Relevance
Paige Jaeger, Instructional Focus Coordinator with School Library Connection
Paige Jaeger started her career as a computer programmer but evolved into a librarian, school administrator, consultant and speaker. She spent a dozen years as a teacher-librarian at both the elementary and secondary levels and currently is the Instructional Focus Editor for School Library Connection. Paige co-authored three books published by Libraries Unlimited: Think Tank Library- Brain-Based Learning Plans for New Standards Grades K-5 and Grades 6-12, and RX for the Common Core- Toolkit for implementing Inquiry Learning. She earnestly believes educators need to challenge students to think. This generation will grow up and run the world. Heaven help us if they cannot think.
"Repackaging Research with Relevance”
Learn the art of repackaging research projects into 21st Century Learning Adventures. Attendees will exit equipped to move research forward. This Inquiry-based Learning model is perfect for technology-infused environments, is aligned with new standards, and raises relevance. Join us in this hands-on three-hour, interactive session. We will laugh as we:
Learn why the Essential Question is important... and why (AKA "umbrella question" or EQ)
Learn the secret to creating a compelling, relevant research EQ
Learn the secret to get students to THINK...rather than merely "find" answers
Connect research questions to media projects, classrooms, read-aloud
Model how these questions can "evolve" flat projects into learning adventures.
Share some great ideas for "Mashing-up" technology tools
Practice crafting questions and repackaging projects
Connect research questions to the real world, media projects, classrooms, read-alouds and more. Make questioning our superpower!
Attendees will exit equipped to repackage, require thought, connect to the learner, inspire investigation, while meeting curriculum objectives.
Library 2.0 Storytelling
Paul Reynolds, CEO Fablevision
Paul serves as CEO of FableVision, which is co-located at the Boston Children's Museum in the city's Innovation District. Paul has helped build the multimillion-dollar firm into an internationally recognized multimedia developer and publisher, with partnerships, strategic alliances and clients across many industries - broadcast, museum, institutional, K12, educational publishing, technology and research. When he's not entrenched in all things FableVision, Paul teaches digital media production at Boston College, where he has served as adjunct faculty for over two decades. Paul is also a children's book author - collaborating with his twin brother Peter H. Reynolds - on Going Places, a picture book with Simon & Schuster and a STEM-meets-Arts (STEAM) early chapter book series with Charlesbridge Publishing.
“Library 2.0 Storytelling”
The digital age has rapidly and radically transformed how we live, play, work, and learn, and with it, the notion of the traditional library has been upended. Communities across the nation are grappling with impact on staffing, resources, and, sometimes even debating over the need and funding an “obsolete” institution.
So, how do we explain the increased value of the modern library to the general public? In Paul’s return appearance at FAME, he will lead a hands-on creative brainstorming session to create stories – with you and your colleagues - that help articulate and broadcast the urgent message that the modern library has increased and critical relevance in a rapidly changing world.
How can we convey the notion that the library as a mission-critical beachhead for innovations and creativity in our schools and communities?
Who knows, at FAME 2017, FableVision may unveil an animation or storybook FAME attendees helped to create!
Engage- Assess- Create: 60 Instructional Technologies in 180 Minutes
Mike Meechin, Principal and Educational Technology Speaker
Michael Meechin wasn’t that engaged in the schooling process. As a student, he often found himself thinking about how, if he were an educator, he could make a change in the way that we “do” school. After graduating with a degree in History, Mike went on to become a classroom teacher where his journey in affecting change began. Mike has gone on to serve as a classroom teacher, AVID coordinator, assessment coordinator, dean of students, assistant principal, and now serves as the Principal at a Title I high school in Central Florida. Mike is a product of the inner-city public education system, and believes strongly in access to a quality, free public education for all children. Mike believes that many of the challenges we face are urgent in nature and we need to have critical conversation to make change. Mike speaks to educators around the United States and serves on the Advisory Board for the Future of Educational Technology Conference, one of the largest educational technology conferences in North America.
“Engage-Assess-Create: 60 Instructional Technologies in 180 Minutes”
Participants will walk away from this session with instructional technology tools to implement in their schools immediately. The session will start off with a fast-paced intro to 50 technologies; which will conclude with the top ten technologies and how to they could be implemented in several different content areas. It will also include best practices and "sandbox" time.
This session is designed for those looking to add resources to their instructional technology toolboxes; and for those that do not like the action to stop. This action packed session is sure to please.
Computer Science Education Using Code.org’s Code Studio
Evelyn Zayas, Computer Science Teacher, Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth
Evelyn has been a technology teacher for many years, teaching computer science courses online for Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth and OnlineSchoolForGirls.org. She is a Computer Science Facilitator for Code.org, giving teacher PD workshops and supporting teachers as they bring computer science education into their classrooms to empower students with these necessary 21st century skills.
“Computer Science Education Using Code.org’s Code Studio”
Coding in the library is the latest trend! Come learn how to host an "Hour of Code" in your library. This workshop includes an introduction to computer science and computational thinking, pedagogy, an overview of the Code.org online computer science curriculum, and strategies for "unplugged" activities. It is an abbreviated version of the 7-hour PD workshop in which over 25,000 teachers have participated in to date. To fully participate in this workshop, please bring a laptop or tablet.
New Librarian Workshop: Outwit-Outplay-Outlast: Surviving Your First Year as a School Librarian
Jennifer Underhill, School Librarian, FSU Lab School
Kathy Drake
Raylee Fleisch
Joanna Tamplin
New Librarian Workshop: Outwit-Outplay-Outlast: Surviving Your First Year (or Two!) as a School Librarian
Jennifer Underhill, School Librarian, FSU Lab School
Kathy Drake, Media Specialist, Montford Middle School
Raylee Fleisch, Elementary School Librarian, Belcher Elementary School
Joanna Tamplin, School Librarian, Hawks Rise Elementary School
“New Librarian Workshop: Outwit-Outplay-Outlast: Surviving Your First Year (or Two!) as a School Librarian”
Do you ever feel like a castaway on a deserted island? It’s tough out there all alone trying to survive in the school library jungle… especially your first year or two. Panelists will offer guidance and answer questions for anyone new to running a school library program. Don’t get voted off the island! Bring all your problems, questions, and concerns, and your experienced guides will help you set up camp and win that immunity idol!
We are looking for Districts to Donate Baskets for our Convention Raffle!
Preorder your FAME t-shirt now!
New FAME Board Members
Congratulations to the following members who will be installed as new Board members during the closing session of conference:
President-Elect: Andrea Parisi
Secretary: Ashlee Cornett
Region 1 Director: Jan Macauley
Region 2 Director: Kate Neff
Region 4 Director: Josh Newhouse
Region 5 Director: Laurie Arnez
Committee for Nominations: Kris Smith (Region 3) and Jenn Underhill (Region 1)