Final Reflection for Digital Technology

 This summer has been such a whirlwind; I feel like I definitely experienced both growth and frustration when trying out new tools as we went through this summer. The technology aspect added a deeper and more challenging addition to some of the ideas that we've been talking about throughout the course of our SHSU Library Science studies. 

The AI assignment was probably one of my favorites for this semester, and one that I see myself utilizing what I learned. For example, just this week, I had another teacher ask me if I would be willing to help her with her bulletin board. This ended up being me doing the bulletin board, as this teacher is close to retirement and has little ability to move around easily, climb on ladders, etc. I wanted to go ahead and get it done since I have a lot on my plate coming back to work. I had sent her screenshots of several different ideas for a board, and she picked the one she liked, which was centered around the theme "You are the author of your life story." The outer rim of the board called for quotes from author's that were inspirational. Based on our experience in our groups with these, I didn't experience as much frustration when I went to do this board and used Google Gemini to help me. I first sent a query in that read something along the lines of "Give me 8 quotes from authors that are inspirational about living your life." I got several quotes back that were indeed inspirational about life, but were from scientists, presidents, philosphers and the like. This is a 7th grade ELA classroom, and since it is themed around authors specificially (namely fiction and poetry) I had to go back and adjust what I was asking of the AI engine. It did end up giving me some great quotes, and I then took them and easily imported them into Canva. I made a really pretty design that overall took me about two and a half hours. Without the use of that technology I would have been hunting through multiple different websites trying to find what I needed for the display. 

Seeing the Acceptible Use Policies and analyzing the one that belongs to our school was also eye opening for me, because it seems like many districts are still set into a very fixed mindset. It reminds me of how when children grow up in a home with so many limitations that at the first sign of freedom (be it high school, college, etc.) they tend to absolutely lose their minds because they've never been taught how to use their time, resources and decision making abilities appropriately. It seems the same with many AU policies; they seem bent on telling students exactly what they can and can't do, rather than giving room for trial and error, and ability for growth and authentic conversation with students about being good digital citizens. 

The teach someone to do something assignment was  a good review I feel, and a nice throwback to when we first entered the program and Dr. Smith-Edwards had us look through the wayback machine, and talk about appropriate and helpful search methods. These are things that will definitely come in use for all of us in the program as budding librarians. 

The thing that I felt the least confident about was adhering to all of the ADA policies. I constantly worry that I'll move a shelf or a table that is restrictive to my students and patrons, and that would therefore keep them from being able to fully utilize and enjoy the library. Especially because in the future I plan to host family nights, trivia events, and the like that are open to the community, and I really want all of those to go over well, and to make EVERYONE feel welcome, regardless of age or ability. 

All in all, I'm very thankful for getting to spend this summer working with my groupmates and feeling like I'm not alone in my struggles, but rather getting the opportunities to bounce ideas and questions off of them. I feel like it would have been a lot tougher trying to go at any of these technologies completely alone, and with the pressure of them being for a pinch in the moment job, rather than a school assignment where there is room for trial, error and growth in learning.