I choose to use the District's system for a few reasons:
1. The timeline for this project is tight and I couldn't really afford to go "back and forth" in getting permission for another option
2. A huge benefit to the District's system is that I can get support from our District tech department staff (thank goodness!) in creating the website.
3. Another benefit to the District system is that the framework for the website is already in place and that helps to guide me personalizing the space.
One of my biggest challenges was just trying to figure out where and how to begin! Since it is Spring break, most of the tech staff is unavailable so I had to just "jump in" without really knowing if I was making the right decision in terms of the question of which format to choose for the Vision project. Another challenge is that now that I have made the decision to use the District's portal system and I have spent some time "mucking around" with it, I don't really love it. It has all the right "bones", but it is very restrictive in terms of formatting. I like things to be visually appealing and I haven't figured out a way to make that happen on this particular system yet. I am hoping that once Spring break is over (tomorrow!) that one of our tech helpers will be able to help me...fingers crossed that it is just my lack of understanding that is the limiting factor here and not the system...I want colour and pictures on the TL network website! And that's another challenge - I haven't figured out exactly what to call this website. It's not a school library website. It is a sharing site for TL's..."the school librarian's network" or "the teacher librarian's network" or ???
Overall, I am pleased to have started my Vision project and I think that I have overcome a few obstacles on my own. I know that I need some tech support to finish this project properly and realize that simply may not occur before the project is due! I am optimistic about starting this network and I feel confident that, once it is in place, my colleagues will get involved and contribute to a space that meets their needs. I am looking forward to it!
It sounds like we are making a similar product but for a different audience. I get your frustrations with scholantis and the limited formatting but I am hoping that the simplistic nature will help to get others involved in the site. Could your site simply be called the "Library Resource Site" or "Librarian Collaboration Site"?
ReplyDeleteAny good project is going to be a little difficult in implementing and usually requires some sort of support and customization. I am glad you chose a district supported tool, as they will be able to support you in sharing it across the district, as well as help make it more sustainable and accessible for everyone in the district. Our little place for TLs to share stuff is on what we call "The Hub" and it allows us to post resources, have discussions and share things. Its been very useful for our small district to stay connected. Overall, a decent post that outlines where you are at and how you hope to finish up!
ReplyDeleteHi Colline,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your honesty in talking about where you are at with this project. It is so great that you are willing to jump right in with something that is completely brand new to you and know which resources will be best in helping you to reach your goal. I also love your idea of having this shared resource and having it evolve as people add to it. I think that it will have a lot of meaning to our colleagues and will motivate them to want to contribute. I hope that now that you are back from spring break (I assume?) you have a little time left to get any answers for your final project. I look forward to seeing the end result and hearing some of your thoughts because a school website is also a new concept to me and something I hope to dive into in the future! Good luck as you finish up! :)