Final Project Part 2

I thought that Fraser Heights could do with a Library, so I decided to make a website outlining it!

https://sites.google.com/site/victoriasfinalproject/

Final Project: Part One

Dear Future Library Science Student,

            I’ve got a few tips to share with you when taking Library Science! It’s good to be quick thinking. It’s quite often that you don’t know what you’ll be doing in class until you arrive, quick thinking will help you get an image in your mind of how to complete Mme. Monk’s tasks, and then you’ll be off to do the work! As well as being able to help out students and teachers who approach you for help, quick thinking will allow you to help them quickly. This also means having independence in that Mme. Monk could leave you in charge for some time, and you need to be able to keep the Library in good shape on your own! These are some things that I have personally learned myself, to be spontaneous, and taking initiative in the Library, the most difficult challenge would be learning to take that initiative; knowing when and what to do in the Library during class time.

            The most important part of Library Science is efficiency. Although a block of Library Science seems long, once you get working on something, time flies by quick, so it’s crucial to work efficiently during the block, not to mention completing the assignments on time because there won’t always be time to work on them in class. Such as the Bitstrips assignment, where we had to make a comic strip for a classic fairytale, there was time to work on it in class, but some of it had to be done at home as well. An assignment I’d like to see possibly in the future would be something relating to books, such as an advertising library books assignment to get more students reading.

            One of the biggest challenges in Library Science is taking initiative in the Library. Some things are easy to pick out, such as checking books in and out, but there are many functions in the Library Mme. Monk must instruct us to attend to.

            The library itself could be improved if set up spaciously, during times when students can study, such as lunch, there are many students in the library, but tables have been placed so close together, it becomes chaos at these times trying to get about.

            What I like about this class is being able to work behind-the-scenes in a Library. I’ve gotten to learn so much about being behind the desk, such as how to put on a book cover, and how to buy books. But I disliked shelving books because it was a mundane task that I found to be time consuming, but also difficult finding the exact spot for the book to go. I am good at helping students who need help finding a book, or are having technical difficulties on a computer. But I have difficulty shelving items, and taking initiative in my work.

            Overall, Library Science is an enjoyable class to take, you won’t regret taking it.

Victoria Nguyen

Post #6: Bitstrip Reflection

I found Bitstrips to be a fun tool to make comics with. It was simple and easy to use, with a lot of different options in things such as character movement. Although there were certain things that could have been better, such as more variety in scenes, and clothes, and props. Overall it was a good experience in making a comic with Bitstrips.
A teacher could use Bitstrips for a social studies project by creating an assignment where students in the class are able to create a comic within the class. For example, the topic could be a comic to persuade someone to act on an environmental issue, so they read all the criteria in the teacher's assignment, then create the comic for it. The grade level of the assignment would depend on the class, and the assignments can be made for primary, intermediate, and secondary students.

Assignment #6: Bitstrips

Blog Post #5: Online Resources

This search engine is useful to do research for all subjects and any assignments. Its specifically for students in that it shows results at a high school student's level for more efficient researching.

This website has news on issues happening all over the world right now. It's useful to students in classes such as social studies who must do a project or assignment on international current events. Though it is not limited to just that class, it's a good resource for all assignments on current events.

This resource is good for students who are looking for written research material. It is a search engine for a variety of books, and will give a synopsis on what the book is about.

World Book Student is an online resource containing similar information to the encylopedias. This has limited the search results to resources that high school students would be able to understand. It is useful for any class and any assignment or project that requires research.

The Canadia Student Research Centre is an online resource for research. It's focused on Canadian points of view and is intended for high school students. It may be used for research in any class for all assignments and projects that require research.  

Assignment 5: Looking At Other Libraries

http://www.sd36.bc.ca/guildfordpark/
Guildford Park Secondary, 10707 – 146th St., Surrey, over 1200 students
74 staff members, but cannot be contacted through the website
School hours are from 8:20 AM to 2:30 PM
They have one librarian
They have an online catalogue
They have helpful resources on the homepage, the links lead to the Surrey Schools Online Resources:
• Canadian Themed Resources: for research on topics relating to Canada
• English Language Learners: References for ELL students
• Encyclopedias: Worldbooks online and other resources
• Literature and Novels: References and research on novels
• Research databases: Search engines approved for students.
There are no circulation or computer use policies listed on the website
Their library does not have a link to the Surrey Public Library website, or to the school’s website, and they have book trailers for popular books on the Library homepage
Both libraries have links to the Surrey Schools Online Resources for the students

http://www.sullivanheights.com/
Sullivan Heights Secondary, 6248 – 144st Surrey, BC approximately 1226 students
88 staff members, only 66 of which can be contacted through an e-mail address
Classes begin at 8:25 a.m. and end at 2:45 p.m.
A library staff member and a library assistant
They have an online catalog
There are links to helpful resources on the homepage:
· Online Databases: Online resources for research
· Search Engines: A list of good search engines to research
· Research Tools: Other sources that can be used for research
· Encyclopedias/Dictionaries
· Canada: Links to information on Canadian history
Their circulation and computer policies are unavailable on the website
The Sullivan Heights catalog has a variety of lists of resources for students to use, most are for research, but there are some lists of books recommended for the students to read
Both libraries’ websites contain a list of links for student research uses

http://www.sd36.bc.ca/panoramaridge/
École Panorama Ridge Secondary, 13220 – 64ave Surrey, BC 1779 students.
80 staff members, 77 can be contacted by e-mail, and 8 can be contacted through a separate website
Classes are from 8:36 a.m. to 2:56 p.m.
The number of library staff is unavailable
Their catalog is online
There are links to helpful resources on the homepage:
· Link to Surrey School District’s online resources: World Book
· Student Tools: Information on how to make a bibliography
· English: List of helpful resources related to the books read in English class
Their circulation and computer policies are unavailable on the website
Their library has helpful resources on the books that are read in English class
Both libraries’ websites contain links to the Surrey School District’s online databases

Library Careers

Typically, those becoming librarians must obtain an undergraduate degree from a 4 year program of their choice. To be accepted into a graduate school, the program does no matter so long as the student has a 3.0 average.
Then, the student will have to take 1 to 2 years studying for a master's degree in a program that has been authorized by the American Library Association, such as a master in Library and Information Science. This course can be taken at the University of BC and Mcgill University, as well as Universities outside of British Columbia like University of Alberta, and University of Toronto. From the courses, the student will learn things such as:

• Library Management
• Cataloguing
• Reference Resources
• Library Collections
• Research Methods

Skills which they would need to have in order to run the library.

Blog Post #4

Article #1: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/teachers+work+first+report+cards+year/6356868/story.html

            This article is about the teachers in B.C. who are going to be distributing report cards to the students some time after spring break. This past school year, the B.C. teachers went on a job action that meant the refusal to writing report cards because it counts as “struck work”. The only exception was for grade 12 students because they needed their marks to apply for post-secondary education. At this point in the school year, all schools in the province would normally distribute report cards, so the B.C. Public School Employers' Association has made sure all of these report cards will be prepared and issued. But the information that is on the report card may not show all the progress or grades. It is unknown though when the education system will return to normal, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation are planning for a vote on another action plan.

            I think this issue is important because it’s a step closer for the teacher’s job action to end, once the report cards are done, a compromise can be made between the BCPSEA and the BCTF. This will be the first time this year that I and other students get a report card, and the decision made by the two groups will determine how it affects us. Say the BCTF decide to strike, students will not be able to go to school, while the government rushes for a solution. But if an agreement can be made, the teachers will not have to go on another strike or job action, and the issue will be solved. The BCPSEA have said, ""As we all know, a strike disrupts work routines and can strain relationships, It is important that regular routines are re-established reasonably soon...” and I hope what they say is true so school can get back to normal.

Links to other articles on the subject:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/03/09/bc-teachers-report-cards.html
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/pink-slime-early-death----bad-pr-for-beef-144072796.html 

Article #2: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/food/meat+mortality+study+leaves+many+carnivores+unfazed/6312793/story.html

            A new study done by the Harvard School of Public Health discovered that eating red meat increases chance of death by 13% early this month. The study followed the health and eating habits of more than 110,000 adults for more than 20 years. Eating any amount of red meat, processed or unprocessed, increases the risk. However, they are unsure why it is red meat that is so dangerous, capable of causing diabetes, cancer, and heart disease to people who eat it often.

            Right now in the world, many people dismiss this as something unimportant. One man says, “I’m having my meat, I don’t care.” And some have not made any changes to their diet after hearing the results. The findings make me want to make changes to my diet so that I do not eat a lot of red meat, and I think that everyone else should too. By simply cutting out a portion of our meat, we decrease our risk of diabetes, and cancer. So this sort of change would be so greatly significant through a simple solution.

Links to other articles on the subject:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/bc-teachers-attitude-to-report-cards-needs-work/article2238527/ 

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Bill+teachers+mount+legal+challenge+vote+further+strike+action/6338035/story.html 

Help Feed the World!

On freerice.com, their goal is to educate everyone, and to help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free! The rice is donated through their trivial game, consisting of 17 categories, to countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

First Month Reflection

For the first month of being a Library Science Student, I have already learned more than I previously knew about libraries. Some of the things I have learned, such as the dewey decimal system, checking in and out books, and creating holds, are based on the computer. These I consider to be the "basics" of helping out in the Library. As well as learning computer skills, I have gained experience in putting on book covers, and shelving books. I have especially enjoyed being able to weed out books, to see the books go through the entire process of being deleted. What I have found difficult is sometimes having to meticulously place small stickers on the spines of books. It's hard to do with shakey hands, and requires a lot of focus.
So far, my experiences in the Library Science class have been delightful!

A Video About the Dewey Decimal System

#1 A Quote

"There is creative reading as well as creative writing." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

                Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American poet, lecturer and essayist, born in 1803 and died in 1882. He had a large part in the American literary movement called Transcendentalism, an ideology of things existing outside of nature, such as supernatural occurrences. He is famous as a major figure in American Literature for his transcendentalism.

                I chose this quote because I can relate to it in my own life, and it is poetic and true. I love reading and writing, and I think that Ralph Waldo Emerson explains what it is like to be both a reader and a writer. I like the way he phrased the quote, he simply explains that position in literature with a few words. What I mean by that is reading and writing are activities and require creativity.

What I think he means by the quote is that you are creative when you are writing. When you write, you are being imaginative, and letting your mind think freely. This is the same as when you are reading. When you read, the words form images in your mind following the story. So in both cases you yourself are being creative. Sometimes it isn’t always apparent that you are creative in either case. You have to be creative and have an open mind if you are a reader, but you’re not always creative when you’re writing, for example writing about facts and true information. Writing about something serious, depletes how creatively you can think.