AI-Assisted Newsletter Assignment

 Carolina Ramirez                                     LSSL 5391 Digital Tech for The School Librarian

AI Generated Library Newsletter (Chat GPT 3.5)  

I utilized the Chat GPT 3.5 to generate a September Newsletter for the library. I wanted the staff,

 students and parents to be aware of all the activities that would be done in the month of September. I

 started by using the title "September Newsletter: School Library Updates. In the beginning, I

 did have some problems getting the newsletter to advertise what I wanted to transmit to the parents. I

 had to try several times to change the newsletter and be very precise as to what I wanted AI to

 generate. However, I also thought that it was great to be able to give AI an idea and have it generate a

 whole newsletter. I thought AI did an awesome job creating the newsletter. I think what is missing is

 the graphics that would make it look more inviting to the elementary audience. I believe that the

 newsletter is very accurate. I like that it generated the upcoming events with the activities that our

 elementary celebrates. Overall, the AI did an excellent job in creating the newsletter, but I would have

 used more graphics. I highly recommend using Chat 3.5 to help generate a newsletter to keep 

everyone updated with library information. 

September Newsletter: School Library Updates

Welcome Back to the Library, E.B. Guerra Elementary!

As we dive into the new academic year, the school library is buzzing with exciting activities and resources to support your learning journey. Here's what's happening this month:

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September Reading Challenge: Dive into Adventure!

Join our Reading Challenge this month by exploring books that take you on adventures! Whether it's a magical world or a thrilling journey, challenge yourself to read at least 3 adventure-themed books. Track your progress on our library wall, and everyone who completes the challenge will receive a special bookmark and a chance to win a book prize at the end of the month!

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New Arrivals: Fresh Books for Every Reader

Our shelves have been refreshed with the latest releases! This month, we've added exciting new titles across all genres:

• Fiction: “The Lost Library” by Rebecca Stead
• Non-Fiction: “How the World Works” by Clive Gifford
• Graphic Novels: “City of Dragons” by Jaimal Yogis
• Mystery: “The Secret Keeper” by Kate Morton

Don’t miss out—come check them out and be the first to borrow!

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Featured Events:

1. Library Book Fair
   Date: September 15 - 18
   Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
   Get ready for our annual Library Book Fair! This is your chance to purchase your favorite books and help support our library. There will be something for every reader, from popular novels to non-fiction and fun activity books. Bring your family and friends!

2. International Dot Day Celebration
   Date: September 15th-ish
   Celebrate International Dot Day, inspired by the book "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds! Students are encouraged to express their creativity by making their own dot artwork. Join us for a day of creativity, inspiration, and self-expression as we "make our mark" on the world!

3. Mexico’s Independence Day
   Date: September 16
   Join us in celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day, a momentous occasion in Mexican history! Learn about the rich culture and traditions of Mexico with a special display of books, activities, and crafts inspired by Mexican heritage. Students will also have a chance to create their own papel picado decorations.

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Tech Tuesdays: Coding Club

Date: Every Tuesday, 3:30 PM
Our popular Coding Club is back! Whether you're a beginner or already have coding skills, join us every Tuesday after school to learn how to create your own games and animations using Scratch and Python. This is a great way to boost your problem-solving and tech skills.

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Storytime with a Surprise Guest

Date: September 20, 10:30 AM
Our monthly Storytime will feature a special guest reader! Join us for an interactive reading of “Where the Wild Things Are” followed by a creative craft session where you can make your own wild creature mask. Open to students in grades K-2.

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September Library Workshop: Research Like a Pro

Date: September 25, 2:30 PM
Struggling with finding reliable sources for your assignments? In this workshop, we’ll explore online databases, credible sources, and research tips to help you ace your projects. Bonus: Learn how to use citation tools to make your bibliography a breeze.

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Librarian’s Pick of the Month

This month, our librarian recommends “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. This heartwarming novel follows the life of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences, as he navigates school for the first time. A must-read for anyone looking for an inspiring story about kindness and acceptance.

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We look forward to seeing you in the library this month. Don't forget to follow us on social media for updates and reading recommendations. Let’s make September a month full of learning and discovery!

Happy Reading!

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Mrs. C. Ramirez, School Librarian
E.B. Guerra Elementary

Environmental Scan

 Carolina Ramirez                         LSSL 5391 Internet for School Librarians

Environmental Scan

    My environmental scan will focus on the Rio Grande Valley or more specifically Edinburg, Texas. The climate in this area is mostly warm or hot. Our winters are mild most of the time. The Summer is scorching hot and humid in this area.

    The careers and jobs that most people hold in this area are: oil field workers, office workers, fast food workers, field workers, teachers or other types of school related work, unemployed and medical work. Because we are in a low economic area, most people receive some kind of state aid like SNAP, TANF, WIC, or Medicaid (CHIP). Students in school in the Rio Grande Valley also receive free breakfast and lunch. The dominant spoken language that most families utilize in this area is Spanish. Some families also speak both Spanish and English. The school district therefore provides bilingual education for the Emergent Bilinguals.

    The majority of the children in this area attend public school or a charter school. However there is a small percentage that attend private school.

    All public schools in Edinburg are now providing some kind of technology. During Covid, the school district made the transition to have all students have their own device.

    For example, Kindergarten through first grade students have an Apple iPad with headphones and second grade through fifth grade have a chrome book, mouse and headphones. During Covid the district provided hot spots for all Edinburg students. After Covid the district picked up all the hot spots from all students and without the hot spots the majority of the students do not have Wifi (broadband) in their homes because either it’s too expensive for parents or their area has no connectivity. This is because the majority of the students live in impoverished “colonias”. To my knowledge there is a small percentage of students who have some type of device at home, but the majority of the students do not have a device. Because of this, teachers do not assign computer homework for the students. Even though Edinburg schools do have computer programs that can be utilized at home, it is difficult for the majority of the students to use the programs.

    In conclusion, this area is considered to be a Title 1 district. Which means that the area receives extra monetary funds from the state to meet academic achievement. Because of these funds the district is able to provide the students with devices and other technological tools.

Pedagogy Before Technology Assignment

Carolina Ramirez                                          LSSL5391 Internet for School Librarians          

Pedagogy Before Technology

I feel that my view of the use of technology is different from the student's view. This is because this generation of students I believe view technology as a tool for communication, or a tool  for gaming. I view technology as not only a communication tool but as a teaching and learning tool. With the use of technology in the classroom I am able to provide differentiation tools that help all students in their learning and critical thinking skills. The K-12 Blueprint (2017) noted that "Utilizing educational technology, educators have begun transforming instruction, assessments, and the overall concept of the classroom" (p. 1).

 Even though I believe that the student's view of technology differs from mine, I am able to use their gaming skills and implement technological games in my lessons to keep students engaged in learning. I am also able to use their communication technological skills to reach the evaluating level in Bloom's Digital Taxonomy, by allowing them to collaborate and post comments on any discussion board provided (Churches, 2008). Knowing the changes in the Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy has directed me to implement more technological lessons that will improve student achievement. 

  I believe that technology is a tool that can be used for learning and also used as a foundation upon which learning can be built. An example of technology as a tool for learning is using different apps or websites to review or extend a skill. The school curriculum in my district has implemented many different types of technology that can be used as a tool for learning. For example, the Reading curriculum implemented the use of websites like Kahoot, Quizzes, Nearpod and Flocabulary to review different skills taught in Reading. Technology can also be used as the foundation upon which learning can be built. An example of this is when students engaged in inquiry based research. When students are engaged in inquiry based research, they are able to use technology to enhance their knowledge on a specific topic or problem. The Tech Tools and Resources: AASL Standards Framework for Learners (Mackley, n.d) noted that "Inquiry: build new knowledge by inquiring, thinking critically, identifying problems, and developing strategies for solving problems". They are able to do this by utilizing different types of technology tools like Wonderopolis, Padlet, Flipgrid and Mentimeter among other technology tools. 

As a future ready librarian, technology encompasses many aspects of the school library program so it is important to acquire technological skills and provide professional development to disperse those skills to teachers, administrators, parents and students.  Future Ready Librarians Framework and ISTE standards for Educators (2018) stated that, "School librarians and library media specialists play a critical role, one that has only grown more important as information has dispersed and proliferated online". Because of this, it is important to include an educational technology program to teachers who want to become librarians. 

The technology landscape has impacted the instruction in the classroom as well as in the school library program. Now that each student is provided a Chromebook, they are able to use technology as a learning tool to review and expand their learning. Teachers and librarians have also felt the impact of technology. This is because, now they have to attend professional development that deals with technology and plan lessons that require the use of technology in the classroom. The K-12 Blueprint (2017) stated that “Educational technology is changing the educational experience by extending learning beyond the walls of the classroom so that school time can be spent on assessment, discussion and consolidation of what has been learnt” (p.1). 

In conclusion, even though the views of technology might be different between teacher and students, teachers can use the student’s views of technology to facilitate learning in the classroom. Technology can be both a learning tool and a foundation upon which learning can be built. Because technology is now being utilized more than ever, librarians and teachers need to be aware of any technological advances that would facilitate student learning. 

References

Churches, A. (2008). Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy. 

http://www.ccconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Churches_2008_DigitalBloomsTaxonomyGuide.pdf

Common Sense Media (n.d.). Bloom's Digital Taxonomy [Video]. Common Sense 

Education. Retrieved August 30, 2024, from

 https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/blooms-digital-taxonomy

Digital Transformation Toolkit (n.d.). Digital Transformation in K-12 Education. K-12 

Blueprint. Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.k12blueprint.com/toolkits/digital-transformation

Digital Transformation Toolkit (n.d). Embracing Transformation. K-12 Blueprint. 

Retrieved August 26, 2024, from https://www.k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/SHI-K12BP-Embracing-Transformation.pdf

Mackley, A. (n.d). Tech Tools & Resources AASL Standards Framework for Learners. 

Retrieved August 29, 2024 from https://docs.google.com/document/d/13i9zMI4jTmKkihMpwDXHrh0KWCtC_pskI28kPN2vJMo/edit

South, J., Sykora, C., Stoeckl, S., Liesch, J.,& Malespinna, E. (2018). Crosswalk Future  Ready Librarian Framework and ISTE Standards for Educators. Retrieved August 29, 2024 from https://cms-live-media.iste.org/www-root/Libraries/Documents%20%26%20Files/ISTEU%20Docs/iste-standards-e_frl-crosswalk_6-2018_v7-2.pdf