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Hi Ya'll!
     Just a note to tell you how Laura and I "wowed" them at the state
KYLMS/KLA convention.  Actually, I think we surprised ourselves more
than anybody else.
     We were originally scheduled (back in May) to talk about
"Integrating the Internet into the Core Content,"  which is obviously
not a very clever title, but under time constraints (do you see a
pattern, here)  that was the best I could come up with.  Anyway, of
course we wanted to talk about the AM "experience," so we entitled the
presentation "Internet Research Guide for (obviously) Extremely
Intelligent but (maybe) Just a Little Gun-Shy Educators."
But told the audience that we really weren't going to cover that =
either,
although we did briefly review the benefits of using the Internet for
students, teachers and media specialists, and some simple guidelines =
for
Internet research.  Then we discussed AM and the wonderful experience =
we
had with all of you, and then we gave them a copy of our "draft" lesson
plan, discussing the field test, and then we let them briefly see the
collections as they related to the lesson plan.  Of course, they were
thrilled with the site, and the evaluations reflected how they would
"turn on" other teachers to the AM web site. =20
     The "behind the scenes" view is another story.  When we applied to
present, naturally I asked for a computer with Internet access--I mean,
after all, we WERE doing a presentation on the Internet.  But when we
arrived at the convention, of course they didn't have a computer, never
mind the Internet access.  All the room had was a screen available, and
about 20 chairs, But they DID have a telephone.
     Being the good girl scout that I am (you know, growing up in West
[by God] Virginia, and all)  I was prepared for everything except a
power outage.  We took a lap top computer with a brand new Sony video
projector, with the Power Point presentation and bookmarked items AND =
an
overhead projector WITH extra bulbs. (We couldn't fit the AV cart into
the car.)  They did track down an AV cart for us.
     So here we were, fully prepared, setting up (an hour and 15 =
minutes
BEFORE the presentation time) when we couldn't get the telephone line =
to
connect to an outside line. We kept trying, and trying and..... So, =
here
we were,  10 minutes before we were to begin, in this tiny room with 20
chairs and (we counted) 55 people, with more standing outside the door,
and still trying to get on-line.   Well,  I just happened to make
transparencies of the Power Point presentation, so we started with that
while our "technical assistant" (whom we also took with us) kept =
working
to get us on-line.  About 30 seconds before we began the AM section of
the presentation, we got hooked up. Whew! Talk about time crunches!
However, IF we hadn't gotten "on-line," we were still prepared with
transparencies of each web page.
     The presentation was a success, be it a stressful success, but I
just thought I would share these little "inconveniences" with you all =
to
perhaps better prepare you for your turn.  It's hard to believe that
there is so much "disorganization" out there, and I seriously doubt if
it's only in the state of Kentucky, so readers beware!
     The best part of the presentation was the excitement the Media
Specialists shared about the site.  The worst part was the realization
that the Media Specialists didn't view themselves as teachers utilizing
the site for teaching research skills, or designing a unit to teach on
their own, perhaps in collaboration with other teachers.  They acted
surprised when I told them I was teaching the Humanities class.  So,
when we do our dissemination this spring, we will call it "Integrating
the Internet Into the Core Content (and we mean it this time)"  and we
are going to discuss the Am website in more detail, demonstrating all
the possible connections you can make with the core curriculum.  All of
your lesson plans and field tests will be a part of that presentation.
Of course, we'll take our own computer, video projector, overhead
projector.....
Sincerely,=20
Lydia DiMartino=20
> ----------
> From:         Judith K. Graves[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     American Memory Fellows
> Sent:         Friday, October 23, 1998 8:29 AM
> To:   Multiple recipients of list AMFELLOWS
> Subject:      maps
>=20
> Hi Y'all,
> The Geography and Maps division is working on a collection of maps
> from
> four parks.  The first one to go up is Acadia National Park.   The G
> and M
> person writing the framing information for the maps is interested in
> learning types of facts and contextualizing information that would
> make the
> maps useful for teachers and students.
>=20
> Have you or your students used any of the maps?  Have you planned any
> lessons with maps - even in a very small way?  Would anyone like to
> comment
> - bountious praise, brickbats, or anything in between?
>=20
> Thanks,
> Judy
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Judith K. Graves
> Education Resources Specialist
> National Digital Library Program
> Library of Congress
> Washington, D.C.  20540-1320
> [log in to unmask]
> (V)202/707-2562   (F) 202/252-3173
> http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/
>=20