Going Above and Beyond

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

In a recent AP class, a student questioned the necessity of relying on experts, during a search for information needed for an academic assignment.  The internet has become the great leveler.   Information is ubiquitous, so there is no need to delve deeper, look to experts. Every question can be answered with a google search.  The search for truth and deep understanding is losing value.  I hope it is because they are young, hyper-efficient, and just enjoy questioning authority, in so many ways.

The patience needed for an in-depth exploration of a topic is in short supply.  It takes persistence, grit and a willingness to look beyond the obvious.  It is so easy to fall back on the familiar way of doing things.  Satisficing isn't "good enough", especially for students interested in enrolling in demanding university programs.

For those who are willing to pursue knowledge and dig deeper than what is available through Google, try databases.  We have four available at Salpointe: Opposing Viewpoints, Student Resources in Context, Academic OneFile and Gale Virtual Reference Library(GVRL).  Sometimes they are referred to as the deep web. They don't show up in a Google search because they are paid, proprietary databases with passwords.  They each offer something unique.  Opposing Viewpoints provides a pro and con approach to a topic, based on sources from magazines and newspapers.  Student Resources in Context is for students at the high school level and provides magazines, newspapers, reference books and primary sources.  Academic OneFile is for the university level providing newspapers, magazines and peer reviewed journals.  It can also be accessed through Google Scholar if you set up library links on the advanced search page.  GVRL is a replacement for the Reference section of a library.  It houses subject specific encyclopedias and eBooks.  The state of Arizona provides an array of databases usable by state residents using your zipcode as a login.  The Digital AZ Library (DAZL) provides everything from a Chilton car repair database, to genealogy, to PowerSpeak language study and databases for the youngest child.  If opened in the Chrome browser students can connect to their Google drive to download and save documents, and create citations with the EasyBib extension.

If you want to use Google to search for authoritative information, you need to start employing strategies that lead to a better quality of information.  Improved results occur when you use keywords, not natural language searching, or limiting your search to university sites by adding site:.edu.  There are no guarantees when you use Google.  You have to step up and evaluate the information on every site you use.  There is a downloadable bookmark available with search tips if you are interested in improving your search skills.

Choose Privacy

For a few years now the American Library Association has sponsored Choose Privacy Week.  Online privacy is a universal problem and gets more complicated every day. It became an issue for me last year when my tax return was hijacked before I filed.  As a parent I am concerned about what future employers will find out when they google my sons during the hiring process.  Teenagers should be concerned about building a professional digital footprint instead of cleaning up their social media presence as they approach college and future job interviews.  I wonder what our students inadvertently reveal about themselves online.

We leave information information behind at every stop on the World Wide Web.  Most of us don't want access to the E. U.'s Right to be Forgotten, but controlling our digital footprint is essential.  Many of you have googled your own name just to see what is out there, but Josh Ochs suggests searching a little more systematically.    As a member of the Safe, Smart and Social organization he recommends searching google in icognito mode for:
"your name" in the basic search and in google images - you need the quotes
"name first middle and last"
"your name" city of residence
"your name" organization or high school
"your email address"
He charges a chunk of money to do it for you, but it's a relatively simple process. It is eye opening to find out what the Internet thinks it knows about you.  Even after reading "Everything Google Knows About You" I have no intention of switching to another browser.  I am too addicted.  If you ever want to read about our near future and scare yourself silly, read Feed by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Lately I have read posts online about spring cleaning your social media accounts.  It is usually aimed at social media marketing personnel, but the concept works well for social media users too.  At least once a year, review your privacy and sharing settings on your most heavily used social media accounts.  It's an opportunity to make up for all those user agreements that you accept, but don't read.

Facebook -
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest - in your personal pins, look at your followers, click on the unfamiliar, irrelevant or just plain creepy and block them.  Use secret boards for your pins that may identify you or keep the general public from locating you.

The aspect of online security that seems to be the most troublesome is passwords.  The Diceware Passphrase system is supposedly one of the best ways to create a secure password.  To  make it more secure add the first initial  of website you are using into the random four word phrase as a capital.

Everything Google Knows About You

Free Audiobooks for Teens

Do you spend a lot of time in your car or doing the occasional menial job?  I use that time, driving to see my parents or cleaning the house, to listen to audio books on my phone or iPod.  Sync is offering free audio books, downloadable through the Overdrive app, to encourage teens to become audio book listeners.
This summer they will be giving away access to over thirty titles, two per week, through August 17th.  Usually, when you are offered something free, there are strings attached or the quality of the "free item" isn't what you want.  The titles being offered through the Sync program are excellent and wide ranging. Many of the titles are from best books lists.  There are a couple classics, some nonfiction, fantasy and a multitude of other genres.

Time gets away from us in the summer, so Sync has set up a system to notify students by text or email when new titles are available.  Download all the titles as they become available and listen later when you have time.  Students can start downloading titles May 5th.
Soundcloud clips of the audio books.

Recycling Textbooks

It is hard to believe, but the end of the school year is closing in on us.  If you aren't selling your student's textbooks back to a vendor, consider donating them to the Salpointe Library.   The library loans them out during the school year to students.  If the book is no longer being used at Salpointe, we pass them on to Better World Books.  They resell the textbooks and donate a percentage to charitable organizations like Books For Africa and the National Center for Families Learning.

If you are attending the Book Swap (6/18/16, 9 to 12) held in Foundation Hall and have leftover items,  the library will be happy to recycle your leftovers.  We will be on hand to help you out.

Teen Tech Week

March 7 - 11

This year's celebration of teens and technology will take place the second week of March.  The library has planned several events to encourage Salpointe kids to move beyond their phones and Instagram.  To get everyone involved we are starting with pixel art.  Homerooms will have the opportunity to create a pixel art design on one of the library's large windows.  Post-its will be provided by the library.  As usual the winning homeroom will get home-made treats.

The students of Salpointe are incredibly creative.  The backgrounds that they have created on their Chromebooks are awe inspiring.  On Thursday, March 10th after school, students can bring in their Chromebooks to share their wallpaper designs with they fellow artists.  We will encourage them to vote via a form available through a QR code.  Winners will receive a Bookmans' gift certificate.

Many students are programming in their STEM classes.  To introduce the rest of the kids to programming we will offer a beginning Scratch class after school on Wednesday, March 9th, in the Library Conference room.  Mr. Hopley will assist with this since he has experience with "if then" statements and programming concepts.  Girls, especially are underrepresented in the computer science field and are encouraged to attend.  We will be using materials created by the Hour of Code program.  

 Available throughout the week will be a place to make bookmarks that light up and fairy lights based on the circuitry projects available through blink  blink.

If students aren't into the technical, we will also re-purpose CDs into works of art with yarn.  Any old AOL CDs you would like to contribute?  We could also use yarn in various colors and textures, if you have any bits and pieces you would like to give us. 

Tucson Festival of Books

March 12 -13, 2016

Yeah! The Tucson Festival of Books will not coincide with our Spring Break.  Hopefully that means more students will be able to attend.  The young adult authors at this year's event include Ruta Sepetys and Paulo Bacigalupi. There are lots of adult authors, but I prefer to read the Young Adult books instead. There aren't huge crowds at the young adult events and it is a much more intimate experience.  

The Salpointe Book Club has decided to read a book by Zac Brewer, anything from the Vladamir Todd series. Not that I'm a vampire snob, but I have decided to listen to Water Knife and read a Sepetys book. Paulo Bacicalupi, author of the Water Knife, has written for adults and YA, but his latest is about a (near) future battle over water in the West. The city of Phoenix is our player in the game versus the Vegas water knife, and leg breaker, Angel Vasquez. Ruta Sepetys writes historical fiction. Her first book for YA was Between Shades of Grey. I wonder it rocketed to fame because people mistook it for 50 Shades of Grey? All of her books investigate historical events from the relocation of Lithuanians, by the Russians in 1939 to the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the largest maritime disaster in history. History through fiction is one of my favorite genres.

Consider volunteering at the festival.   I've driven R.L Stine, Lisa Lutz, and several other authors around as part of my volunteer efforts. The food is good and the booths are fun to visit.  Don't miss the National Parks area of the exhibits or Science City.  Shakespeare's first folio is on display during the festival at the museum near the Main Gate.  This year they have ticketed events that eliminate the need to stand in line.  If you have become a Friend of the Festival you get early access the ticketing process.

They have officially posted the schedule as a whole, but if you are only interested in specific authors you can view their individual appearances and locations throughout the weekend.  Last year I posted a TFOB scavenger hunt for students, who earned extra credit for attendance.  I will link it here once it is complete.

Festival Parking