Technology Learning Standard 5 Artifact(s): Magazine Display Poster and CPL Flyer (Please see the attachment at the end of this page)

These artifacts were chosen because I believe they reflect my ability to "use the advanced features of word processing, desktop publishing, graphic programs and utilities to develop professional products". The attached documents were created in Microsoft Publisher. I have been using publisher for several years to create brochures, posters and other promotional materials aimed at highlighting the library's collection, services and/or programs. The most important thing I have learned when using this applications is the importance of choosing the best images to complement the text.  When creating documents using both images and text it is vital to make sure that the images and text work together to effectively communicate the intended message.

Technology Learning Standard 6 Artifact:  Web Resources Post (Please see the attachment at the end of this page)

This artifact was an assignment for a class on school librarianship and was chosen because I believe it demonstrates my ability to "use electronic mail and web browser applications for communication".  The goal of this assignment was for each student to review and post information about websites that are useful to school librarians.  The outcome of this lesson is a compilation of resources from which future and practicing teacher-librarians can obtain ideas to support instruction.  I plan to use the information learned from my participation in this assignment to help me find lesson plans and other resources I can use to teach information literacy skills.

Technology Learning Standard 7 Artifact: Understanding and Combating Plagiarism: In-Text Citations (PowerPoint Presentation-Please see the attachment at the end of this page)

This artifact was chosen because it was used to support an "oral presentation" on the proper way to use MLA in-text citation.  While the presentation went well, I will use more "eye-catching" relevant images to support the ideas in this lecture. The most important lesson learned from using PowerPoint to support lectures is to allow students who are visual learners (and need to read the text to fully understand the lecture) to read and/or copy the information presented.  I understand the many barriers to information absorption (distraction from classmates, acoustic barriers, etc.) and will keep in mind that the PowerPoint slides not only serve to help me present all of the information intended but serves to assist students who are not auditory learners as well.

Technology Learning Standard 8 Artifact: Brooks Catalog/Database Scavenger Hunt (Please see the attachment at the end of this page)

This artifact was designed as a complimentary activity to accompany the librarian's library orientation presentation.  The 9th grade English classes were introduced to the library's collection and resources and were then asked to work in pairs to find the source for the clues given on the worksheet.  The students began by accessing the library's website to find a print or electronic resource.  This artifact was chosen because I believe this assignment required students to use "higher-level thinking skills" during their interactions with each other and the catalog/databases.  I now understand the importance of explicit written and oral instructions when assigning tasks that require multiple steps for accessing information found in an online environment.  When conducting this lesson next time I plan to include a tip sheet to help students remember the steps required to access the databases.