I have been in the library for four school years now and I am pleased with what I have done, but I came to realize after I attended the TLCHAT virtual cafe last week that there is one component I am not focusing on that I need to: Data collection.
I learned a lot at the virtual cafe, and it inspired me to start collecting data. One gal actually has a google form she fills out every day, a journal of sorts that logs what happened, numbers, circulation records and the good and the bad. I decided to take that idea and put together my own document that will help me journal the day. I decided I needed to get into the habit of doing it right away, so I can get myself and my staff trained to keep the data. I have been keeping track of student comings and goings since Christmas time, I generated a google form they fill out when they come in, and I get the names of the kids, their reason and the teacher. It has come in handy when a plethora of children suddenly arrive unannounced. I can go to the teacher and remind them to give me a heads up, etc. It also helps me see the why for the visit.
The main problem with the form is the data it generates. There is so much information that figuring out what I need is a challenge. I think the daily form with the number of kids in, circulation records and such is going to be my push. I am envisioning a monthly data report, even posting the data once a month on the school library blog. I think if people see what is happening and why, maybe it will impact funding, support keeping an aid, support my goal for a shift from a media center to a learning commons, and help me get the grants I want. I never realized how important the data collection is. I am seeing a definite need to keep track and to generate charts and such with the data I collect.
I suspect I will find the time I put into data collection will help me a great deal with my numerous causes and needs.
Showing posts with label Google Form. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google Form. Show all posts
Friday, May 16, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Student accountability in the library
I have been pulling my hair trying to get ideas in place that would make a student's visit to the library accountable for what they are doing. I have a lot of kids who sneak by the circ counter and make their way to the back to the corner. A lot of them are here to find books, research materials and the like, but a few of them are here to meet a friend and play games.
I have no problem with these concepts, but, I need to keep track of data about their visits, so I started collecting information during sign-in that tells me a lot of information about the kids and their visit.
I started with a google form that each student is required to fill in either with an iPad or on a computer. The form identifies the class period, teacher, student and purpose for the visit. I can take the information collected and determine the purpose for visits. Some kids, I am learning, have no purpose. They are here to just hang out or their teacher sends them here for no reason. The google form has helped me a lot with identifying the reasons kids are here and what teacher has sent them. It has helped me get a grasp on the purpose of the library.
It has been a true lifesaver for me.
I have no problem with these concepts, but, I need to keep track of data about their visits, so I started collecting information during sign-in that tells me a lot of information about the kids and their visit.
I started with a google form that each student is required to fill in either with an iPad or on a computer. The form identifies the class period, teacher, student and purpose for the visit. I can take the information collected and determine the purpose for visits. Some kids, I am learning, have no purpose. They are here to just hang out or their teacher sends them here for no reason. The google form has helped me a lot with identifying the reasons kids are here and what teacher has sent them. It has helped me get a grasp on the purpose of the library.
It has been a true lifesaver for me.
Friday, December 20, 2013
A wrap up of 2013
So, as 2013 comes to a close, it's time to reflect upon the many tools and tricks I have found this year. There are many of them... but, some of them stick out in my mind as my best tools of 2013. I am only posting six, but believe you me, there are many many more. These are my go to tools.
1. YouTube I never really realized the power of a good video. YouTube has changed the way I have taught a foreign language. There are so many great videos out there, why reinvent the wheel? I say, check there first and then expand as needed. Kids will remember the videos and they will learn from them. It doesn't take a lot of time to find the videos either.
2. Pinterest/ Learnist/ Educlipper I have added all of these into one because they all accomplish similar things. They create a bulletin board for sites, images, and links. I use all three of them and I have gotten so many ideas from them. I spend a little time (maybe 10 minutes) a week scanning the three sites/apps to find ideas for the library. It is amazing the things people in my PLN are doing. I have borrowed a lot of tools for my class via these sites.
3. Twitter Need I say more? The best PD in the world comes from Twitter. I have found so many connections and so many people who share my experiences. I am the only LMS in my school and I am the only tech coach in my district. I have built a strong PLN and have learned more from people here than from any PD offered to me elsewhere. Every single teacher needs to be on twitter, even just to scan other people's posts.
4. OneNote I have started inputting information left and right into OneNote. I use it on the Skydrive and sync. I love being able to work anywhere on my items and having access to it at all times. Collaborating is also a great part of the program.
5. Google Forms I have built a lot of surveys using google forms. I use them to establish tech tickets for kids, to log my personal hours doing tech (it helps the treasurer decide where to budget my salary) and I have forms for library surveys. I have found that they are easy to make and easy to share and the instant results and graphs that can be built right on the site are easy ways to share data immediately.
6. Dropbox Last, but certainly not least- Dropbox. I use it daily. I share folders with students, coworkers, family and friends. I love having it on my phone, iPad and computer. Everything I do is added instantly into one place. I store photos, files and even whole ebooks there. My assistant and I work on files together and Dropbox helps make that happen.
These six tools have been an integral part of my daily life. I have used them often and honestly don't think I could live without them.
The next two weeks of my blog are archived stories. I am taking a few weeks of much needed rest to read some books, watch some movies and spend time with the kiddos. Maybe even go sledding a little. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
1. YouTube I never really realized the power of a good video. YouTube has changed the way I have taught a foreign language. There are so many great videos out there, why reinvent the wheel? I say, check there first and then expand as needed. Kids will remember the videos and they will learn from them. It doesn't take a lot of time to find the videos either.
2. Pinterest/ Learnist/ Educlipper I have added all of these into one because they all accomplish similar things. They create a bulletin board for sites, images, and links. I use all three of them and I have gotten so many ideas from them. I spend a little time (maybe 10 minutes) a week scanning the three sites/apps to find ideas for the library. It is amazing the things people in my PLN are doing. I have borrowed a lot of tools for my class via these sites.
3. Twitter Need I say more? The best PD in the world comes from Twitter. I have found so many connections and so many people who share my experiences. I am the only LMS in my school and I am the only tech coach in my district. I have built a strong PLN and have learned more from people here than from any PD offered to me elsewhere. Every single teacher needs to be on twitter, even just to scan other people's posts.
4. OneNote I have started inputting information left and right into OneNote. I use it on the Skydrive and sync. I love being able to work anywhere on my items and having access to it at all times. Collaborating is also a great part of the program.
5. Google Forms I have built a lot of surveys using google forms. I use them to establish tech tickets for kids, to log my personal hours doing tech (it helps the treasurer decide where to budget my salary) and I have forms for library surveys. I have found that they are easy to make and easy to share and the instant results and graphs that can be built right on the site are easy ways to share data immediately.
6. Dropbox Last, but certainly not least- Dropbox. I use it daily. I share folders with students, coworkers, family and friends. I love having it on my phone, iPad and computer. Everything I do is added instantly into one place. I store photos, files and even whole ebooks there. My assistant and I work on files together and Dropbox helps make that happen.
These six tools have been an integral part of my daily life. I have used them often and honestly don't think I could live without them.
The next two weeks of my blog are archived stories. I am taking a few weeks of much needed rest to read some books, watch some movies and spend time with the kiddos. Maybe even go sledding a little. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
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