| From the President: Lynn Gordon |
March - in like a lion, out like a lamb... The opportunities for learning abound this month. It isn't too late to sign up for MAME's upcoming leadership conference. "Chicken Soup for the Media Specialist's Soul" - at $49 a bowl, it is a bargain for all that is offered on Saturday, March 20 in Ann Arbor. Check the MAME website (www.mimame.org) for details. Of course, the MACUL conference is this month as well, and I'm sure many of you will be attending that to share and learn the latest and greatest when it comes to technology.
The Michigan Joint Education Conference (MI-JEC) is also coming up on June 23, at Thurston High School in Redford. If you haven't had the chance to attend, the purpose of this conference is to connect educators across curricular areas. MAME is a partner organization for the conference, and therefore MAME members are eligible for a discounted registration rate of $49. Also, the call for speakers form is up and available on the MI-JEC website, and you still have time to submit a session. The deadline is April 2. This would be a fantastic opportunity for you to show off an example of collaboration with your favorite faculty team-mate! You can find more information at the MI-JEC website, http://www.mijec.org/
Once you have written up your session for the Michigan Joint Education Conference, why not take the next step and submit it to MAME's upcoming fall conference, "Dare to Dream" in Dearborn, October 27-29, 2010? Karen Becknell and Julie Harris, program co-chairs, are ready and waiting for the call for programs forms to come rolling in! The new online form is easy to use and available by clicking the link on the MAME home page.
In these times of toil and trouble, let us continue to gather together, grow and learn from each other, and build a community of strength and support. I hope to see you all in Ann Arbor in March!
Best to you,
Lynn Gordon |
| Connect and Collaborate at MIJEC |
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by Teri Terry, Charlotte Schools
Media specialists speak about collaboration and cross-curricular connections so much, sometimes it is important to take a deep breath and step back to see the bigger picture. The Michigan Joint Educational Conference, or MIJEC for short, affords us the opportunity to do just that. The 3rd annual MIJEC's theme is "Connecting Across the Curricula" and offers attendee's strategies for implementing best practices, integrating technology, enhancing instructional leadership, and maximizing student achievement; through a variety of speakers and sessions.
After attending this conference in its inaugural year, several MAME members suggested that we assist in the planning since it was right up our alley and next thing you know Kathleen McBroom, myself, and Tim Staal were right there helping with everything from marketing to presenting. I presented sessions that I have used at the fall MAME conference, i.e. writing across the curriculum, and the Capstone project for 6th and 7th graders. However, the greatest learning for me is to attend sessions presented by classroom teachers to see ways I can collaborate, from their side of the story. I also find it fascinating to hear from classroom teachers who know nothing about MeL, REMC, or several of the other tools we use on a regular basis.
Each year we try to include more organizations so we can each spread the word about what we do to increase the cohesiveness of learning for students. Last year we had the Teacher of the Year for Michigan, Rob Stephenson for the keynoter. He shared with us tools that he uses to enhance learning and started our day with a wonderful "Gilligan's Island" skit.
The day flies and for the minor amount of $49 for MAME members, you can't find a better bang for your buck. There are some vendors and many give-a-ways. Lunch, SBCEUs, and lots of collegiality are packed into a wonderful day of professional development. Come on down and join us, whether you are in the media center or the classroom, you won't want to miss this opportunity to continue your learning. |
| Not the Copyright Police! |
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Are you the Copyright Police in your building?
We posed this question to our readers and received some interesting responses.
First, a high school horror story from a MAME member who wishes to remain anonymous:
"One of our teachers taught a Web Quest on Online Ethics. I was
impressed that she was undertaking such a subject near and dear to me and one that piggy-backed on an earlier presentation I had given. When I looked over the Web Quest it didn't "sound" like her. I discovered quickly that it was another teacher's work, merely posted on the Web. She had used it without credit or permission and claimed it as her own! So much for "online ethics" !
Evelyn Freeman, Oakland Schools Information Media Consultant and MAME's unofficial copyright guru, contributed her thoughts:
"Copyright Police, now there's a wonderful job description! It's not on the top of my list of how to win friends and influence people at work. Still, this is one of the duties that school librarians are often assigned, and it's one of mine. So how do we fulfill that role without creating enemies? First, work on changing the perception of the role. I call myself the Copyright Resource Person. I let people know I am there to assist them with copyright issues and provide useful resources. For every can't, I try to provide a can. For instance I introduce them to public domain images and royalty free music sites. I also help them seek permission when only the copyrighted source will do. Maintaining a positive outlook and helpful attitude are essential in fulfilling my duties as Copyright Resource Person."
Nancy Larsen, Clarkston High School, also takes a positive approach:
"I am not the copyright police. I am a good resource person on copyright. Having written a Ph.D. dissertation on teachers' understanding and use of copyrighted materials, I am more knowledgeable about U.S. Copyright law than most employees in my school district. I've come to the realization that I can best serve my educational community by offering my expertise and assistance as kindly and helpfully as possible. When an issue comes to my attention, I begin the conversation with a statement such as, "You know I try to be as helpful as I can when questions of copyright use arise..." The ensuing discussion is generally productive and well-received."
See the "Tools of the Trade" column below for recommended resources on copyright. |
| Tools of the Trade |
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Copyright Sites
From Evelyn Wecker Freeman
Information Media Consultant, Oakland Schools Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers I use this chart in my copyright workshops. It provides quick, concise information. A word of caution, be sure to read "The Fine Print" column. In some instances it changes the parameters of what can be done legally. For instance, for video the "What you can do column" states you can make archival copies. However, this can only be done if replacements are not available at a fair price or in a currently used format. You won't find this out if you don't read "The Fine Print."
From Margaret Lincoln, Lakeview High School, Battle Creek
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| Thoughts from Tim... |
March means Spring
It may not look like it, but I am reminded that the coming of March means the coming of spring. The days are getting longer and soon the cold and ice and snow will be replaced by grass and gardens and tulips (I live in Holland). I love to get out to the garden in March and plant seeds for the early crops of peas and garden greens. I also enjoy getting back in the yard and chatting with neighbors that we haven't seen much all winter. March also brings some great opportunities for MAME members to plant seeds for the future and reconnect with our friends.
On March 20, the MAME Spring Leadership Event: Chicken Soup for the Media Specialist's Soul, will occur in Ann Arbor. We already have registrations for more than 40 people, but we still have room for you. Join us for a great day of networking and recapturing that feeling of spring. Registration is available on the MAME website.
On March 10 -12 the MACUL conference is taking place in Grand Rapids. I know many of you will be in attendance and I would encourage you to take a few minutes to connect with your colleagues around the state at MACUL as well. I'll be there and hope to see many of you there. For more information see: http://www.macul.org/conferences/2010maculconference
March is also the time to start planting your garden, and planning for more conferences. Now is the time for you think about what you should present for MAME fall conference: Dare To Dream (October 27-29 Dearborn). The Call for Speakers form is found HERE.
You might also want to think about presenting at the Michigan Joint Educational Conference to be held on June 23 at Thurston High School in Redford. We're especially looking for examples of collaboration across disciplines, something we school librarians know more about than anyone! The Call for Speakers form is found HERE.
Happy March! Plant seeds for the future and connect with your colleagues, either in your own school or district or around the state with the opportunities listed or others.
Tim Staal
MAME Executive Director | |
| Media Matters! Editors
Dr. Kafi Kumasi and Joanne Steckling
Database Manager
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| Have you registered yet? |
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Registration deadline is
March 13!
Need a shot in the arm? A little energy boost?
Register now to attend the MAME Spring Leadership Conference, "Chicken Soup for the Media Specialist's Soul". |
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We look forward to seeing you in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan School of Information on
Saturday, March 20th
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| Behind the scenes...MAME 37 Fall Conference |
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It's a lot like planning a wedding: a succession of decisions and deadlines leading up to the big event.... |
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The MAME 37 Conference Committee is hard at work! As you know, the call for programs form went up on the MAME website. The nail-biting begins as the co-chairs wait to see if there will be enough (or too many!) programs submitted for the time slots allotted during the conference. Each year, the conference evaluations reflect a desire for more elementary sessions, more secondary sessions, more authors and more technology. The co-chairs can only hope that the submissions match the demands of the audience!
The Exhibit Chair is finalizing the call for exhibitors and is sending the letters and contracts to past years' vendors. Dearborn has a nice, open exhibit space, so we hope to have a good response from the companies that have supported us in the past. It is important for the exhibitors to feel that they get enough "traffic" by their booth, so the committee is working diligently on the special event and session schedule to ensure that attendees and vendors have time to spend together.
Keynote speakers and featured authors are a focal part of the program. The Conference Chair is working to get those details locked down. Contracts, fees, and travel arrangements must be hashed out before everyone signs on the dotted line, while keeping an eye on the bottom line.
Soon, site arrangements at the Hyatt will have to be finalized with a walk-through. What surprises will we find then?
Countdown to the conference: 7 months! |
| Upcoming Events |
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| March 10-12, 2010
"Collaborate, Communicate, Create
Grand Rapids
March 20, 2010
MAME Leadership Conference
March 20-22, 2010
Michigan Reading Association
Cobo Center & Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
June 23, 2010
Thurston High School
Redford Twp., Mi.
June 24-29, 2010
Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
June 27-30, 2010
Colorado Convention Center, Denver
Oct 27 - 29, 2010
Hyatt Regency, Dearborn | |
| What's on your Mind? |
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What great things are going on in your media center?
Has a journal article or book recently inspired you?
Found a shortcut, great website, new and improved techie tool?
...Or just have a funny story to share?
We love to hear from our readers! |
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Send your newsletter contributions to
Dr. Kafi Kumasi
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