LM_NET: Library Media Networking
>1. Why do you use LM_NET? Because I get tons of information that I can
use in my job and it allows me the opportunity to share some of my
knowledge with others.
----
I'm a media specialist with a teaching certificate and I still feel isolated
to a certain extent. Even though my staff knows I have a teaching degree
and years of experience as a teacher before I got my media endorsement, I
get treated differently than the classroom teachers. They often have grade
level meetings and don't think to include me even though they know that I
like to be involved and aware of curriculum and activities in the classroom.
I go out of my way to do lessons and get materials that fit the curriculum
and I still feel like an outsider at times.
----
1. Why do you use LM_NET?
I like the feeling of being among friends and I like the sharing of
information.
2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
I get help with problems, ideas for lessons and materials and it
reduces my stress.
3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
Yes, I often get ideas that improve my lessons or solve problems that affect
my media center or lab, this improves the interaction in my media center.
----
1. Why do I use LM_NET?
=DD it is the best, quickest, friendliest way to keep up-to-date and
find out what is going on in the school library world
=DD 2. What difference has it made to me?=DD Unbelievably wonderful to
have this resource where I can go for professional and personal
assistance and guidance.
=DD The wealth of experience represented by all the people on LM_NET is
incredible and I have felt more confident with the sense of kinship
with other professionals.
=DD 3. Do I think it has made an impact on student learning?=DD
Definitely!=DD The ideas and
experiences shared on LM_NET have not only given me ideas, but are shared
by me with others not fortunate enough to be on LM_NET.=DD The teaching and
library ideas have been so helpful to me in the areas of library literacy
skills, book descriptions, challenges, time-management and library
management skills, professional administrative skills, etc., etc., etc.=DD
LM_NET is the most important contact I have had in=DD my years as a school
librarian and teacher.=DD Even in graduate school I have used so many
LM_NET ideas and contacts to enhance my learning.=DD Can't live without
it!!=DD
----
1. Why do you use LM_NET?
I use LM_NET because it does give me a chance to interact with people
with the same concerns/interests. I am the only librarian in my building
and have no peers in the sense of having folks with similar challenges
and problems. I also use it for great links and other ideas. Finally, I
have used it to answer questions of my own for my job when I cannot find
an answer on my own and also for graduate studies. I have made friends
through LM_Net and would really miss the access.
2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
It has allowed me to come up with new and different ideas and answers to
questions which were stumping me for one reason or another.
3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
It has helped me with my grad studies and I think they help me be a
better librarian and teacher. I get research/lesson/program ideas which
I use or pass on to other teachers, thereby impacting students. Also, it
is one way to connect up with other teachers and librarians for distance
communication, a great way for kids to grow and learn.
----
1. Why do you use LM_NET?
To gain a broader understanding of my profession. To have a sounding board
for any issues I may experience in my workplace. To gather ideas! To
maintain a professional edge in my teaching.
2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
I'm more aware of issues that plague LMS's like lack of understanding of the
profession amongst staff members, so I methodically work towards bridging
that gap between what we do and how we are perceived. I'm also more
confident trying new techniques or approaches because usually it's all been
done on LM_NET! I'm more proactive in seeking means to achieve my
professional goals.
3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
I think my students are gaining an understanding of information literacy tha=
t
I never had as a student. I'm not sure that is because of me, however. I
think it might be because of the explosion of technology creating greater
access to greater amounts of information. LM_NET does help its members stay
on the leading edge of both technological developments and information
literacy standards. So I guess we are improving our student learning by
being members.
-----
1. Why do you use LM_NET?
To keep in touch with the world of librarianship. To gather ideas, new
programs, etc.
2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
It has overcome the sense of isolation. It gives me a sense of where
our program is in relationship to other library/media program. In many
ways it is a validation of what we are doing.
3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
We have successfully incorporated ideas from the list into our program;
so yes, the students have been impacted.
----
1. Why do you use LM_NET?
Even though I am a teacher with a masters in library science, I too feel
isolated among my colleagues. No one quite understands what I do, except
other librarians. LM_Net provides a professional discussion group at my
disposal which would otherwise be unavailable to me. I would have the other
librarians in my district only. With its diverse membership, I learn a lot
about many things just by reading posts. I can also contribute to the
support of other librarians in other places.
2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
I'm not so isolated, I have a group to call on when in need, I have 12,000
minds to throw at a problem instead of one, etc.
3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
Yes, I've changed policies and procedures based on things I've read here
which have impacted student learning in a variety of ways. When I am more
efficient, I am more available to students for instruction and coaching, for
example. I also glean curricular materials and some lesson ideas.
----
>1. Why do you use LM_NET?
To share information because we usually are the only library
professional in our building and just as you pointed out there is precious
little time to get away from our buildings for networking. Even in a
district with multiple librarians there is very little time to get
together. We use the net a lot to help us form policy and procedures and
to test out our ideas.
>
>2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
I pick up great ideas and I get to share some of my own.
>
>
>3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
If the idea I pick up helps me teach better then it enhances
student learning.
----
I can appreciate your situation as I am a library media
specialist without an Education background. For that very reason,
LM_NET is invaluable to me.
1. I use LM_NET because its broad range of participants provides
an equally broad range of materials and ideas that my lack of
experience fails to see or imagine.
2. Considering myself a change agent, LM_NET provides a forum for
the discussion and sharing of ideas, alerts to pending positive
(and negative) actions by governments, school administrations,
etc., and I don't feel so isolated. I have a place to go where
others appreciate the scope and eclectic nature of the task I am
trying to accomplish.
3. Ideas from LM_NET may not be used by me as they are written,
but the concept behind an idea may spark some thought that is
more affordable in terms of money, time, or space in my media
center. My students are exposed to much more information than I
would ever be able to provide thanks to the links, suggestions,
and ideas the wonderful members of LM_NET provide.
----
Here is my brief response to your 3 questions. I have been on LMNET for
3 years, and despite the time and effort at the computer that it
requires to keep up with the flow of emails, I figure the information
and knowledge that I glean out of the collective wisdom of the group
is invaluable.
I have three questions:
1. Why do you use LM_NET? I use it for the the asset of the collective
wisdom of many experience people. People pay consultants for this
information; we get for free, if we take the time to keep up with the
steady flow of emails. I get answers for questions that I didn't know I
had, or answers for questions that come up later. I've also submitted a
wide variety of questions, and been amazed at the thoughtful quality and
quantity of responses.
2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS? Especially in the
ever-changing areas of technology, it helps to be aware of the cutting
edge issues, and how those issues are handled by our colleagues. I
really feel conversant in a wide range of topics relevant to library media.
3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning? This is harder to
quantify, but in the sense of a steadily evolving media center, a center
that is aware of the many faceted issues unique to a media center, you
can surely learn how other media centers are working to keep up with the
best information gathering tools and strategies.
Sorry, I had to quickly give some quick responses to this, and this
deserves some longer responses, but I had to rush through this just to
get a couple of ideas/responses back to you.
----
1. Why do you use LM_NET?
=46or the great ideas, camaraderie
2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
As a person new to the field it has helped me get through little things. The
ideas have been very helpful in promoting our services. I have also been
able to stay up to date in the field.
3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
Yes. A lot of the ideas I read about I use with my students.
----
I work in a k-8 school that is its own school district (not unusual in
New Jersey). Occasionally on in-service days I get together with other
librarians.
> 1. Why do you use LM_NET? To be in touch with others in my field.
>
> 2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS? It gives me ideas for
> my library and for lessons--and improves both.
>
> 3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning? When I translate
> some LM_net ideas into lessons, I think it does have an impact.
----
>1. Why do you use LM_NET?
It helps me keep up with what is happening in my field and it
also gives
me valuable ideas I can use in my media center.
>
>2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
It has helped me to become the technology leader in my
school--especially
in the area of Internet usage. It also helps me to feel a part of a much
larger community of professionals in my field.
>
>3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
Yes--because it greatly improves what I have to offer them.
I am able to
share so much more with them that I wouldn't have if I were not a member of
this group.
----
>1. Why do you use LM_NET?
I find the discussions, the help of other professionals, and the
recommendations provided are tremendously helpful. There are always many
responses to posted questions and to my own queries. These responses help
me in choosing resources, creating lessons, offering suggestions to
teachers, finding information and also as a support system for concerns.
Nowhere else could one find such a large number of advisors. I rely on this
listserv and its members for guidance about resources and policies. It is
invaluable to me, as is participation in local school librarian
associations and networks. All forms of collaboration are essential to
professional growth.
>
>2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
I feel the listserv makes me a better Library Media Specialist. The
discussions on varied topics provide differing viewpoints and myriad
resources to utilize. Questions posted provide excellent assistance to
myself in helping the teachers effectively do their job. Staff members even
turn to me to post a question they need help with, in anticipation of good
answers. Bibliographies, product suggestions and recommended web sites help
everyone in our school. I have also molded some of my policies according to
suggestions made on LM-NET.
>
>3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
>
Students and staff have profited from information gleaned from this
listserv. I have purchased resources and books upon recommendations, have
passed along great web addresses, and have used display, lesson and program
ideas to make our LMC a more vital, interesting and productive learning
center. Even the humor that is posted has been enjoyed by others.
----
>1. Why do you use LM_NET?
> To be connected to other people in the profession and learn from more
>experienced people how things are done in the 'real' world (as opposed to
the
>ideals taught in school)
>
>2. What difference has it made to you as a LMS?
> Helps tremendously in vanishing the feeling of isolation - plenty of
>people to 'listen' and learn from.
>
>3. Do you think it has an impact on student learning?
> Yes, because I learn that many 'problems' I may be having are similar =
to
>what others are experiencing. It is also a fantastic source for ideas on
>lessons that will definitely help my students.
----
>Have recently subscribed to LM-Net here in the States as I have just
>embarked on a school certificate program to enhance my Masters in
>Library Science and I thought it might give me insights into the very
>things you are investigating. So far I have found it very informative,
>but overwhelming. So many problems are nagging, day-to-day things but
>some issues are far reaching like how to approach a challenge to a given
>book in the collection.
>
>As I have worked exclusively in corporate settings and have often been a
>"solo" librarian I think net connections are fabulous. Ironically,
>yours is the first message I have responded to since subscribing a few
>weeks ago. Though not in the best position to judge, I think it might
>ultimately benefit students as resources are regularly shared and
>hopefully best practices surface.
>
Thanks for all your comments. I think I answered everyone
individually, but if not, a special thanks to anyone I missed!
EB
--
-------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Bentley
Head of Learning Resources
Northbrook C of E School
Taunton Road
Lee, London SE12 8PD
e-mail: info@northbrook.lewisham.sch.uk
Tel: (+44) 020 8852 1563
=46ax: (+44) 020 8244 4590
email: sln-owner@egroups.com
ICQ: 11252617
-------------------------------------------------------
School Librarians Network is a forum where UK school librarians (and
MROs and support staff) can exchange news, views and ideas and give
each other mutual support.
To subscribe send a blank email to: <sln-subscribe@egroups.com>
-------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=
All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law.
To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST), send email to:
listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST
4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv.
For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/
Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.html
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=
LM_NET
Archive Home