Walking Tour of the Dowagiac Middle School Media Center

This walking tour will introduce incoming 7th graders to the Middle School Media Center. Current 8th grade students will host the tour and ‘walk’ the 6th grade viewers through the Media Center, explaining various library policies and procedures and answering questions along the way. After being introduced to their new media center, it is hoped that incoming students will feel more comfortable in the new surroundings at the start of the school year.

Project time frame

The virtual tour will take place within the last month of the school year. The 8th grade class will need approximately 3 class periods to prepare, plan and practice for the program. The videoconference program will last approximately 45 minutes.

How to sign up

Media Center staff at the two middle schools will decide on a mutually beneficial time to connect for the videoconference.

Number of classes participating

In total, two 6th grade classes will take the tour. One 6th grade class will connect to one 8th grade class per videoconference.

IP or ISDN?

This is a site to site connection. Our two schools will connect directly. Our connection is IP/H.323.

Learner Outcomes

6th Grade Students will:

learn the location of the various collections in the library

learn about Media Center policies and procedures

learn various activities that take place in the Media Center

learn about the Media / Computer Lab

8th Grade Students will:

learn how to use the videoconferencing equipment

learn effective communication and presentation skills

increase their understanding of Media Center materials and technology

increase their understand of Media Center policies and procedures

Pre-Conference Activities:

• Media Specialist will introduce 8th grade students to the videoconferencing equipment.
• 8th grade teacher will assign student roles: host, back-up host, equipment operators, and small student groups.
  • Group 1: Looking for books in shelving area
  • Group 2: Conducting book / periodical research at student tables
  • Group 3: Reading in lounge seating area
  • Group 4: At library computer stations (demonstrating online card catalog)
  • Group 5: In Media Lab using mobile lab cart
  • Group 6: At circulation Desk checking out materials with Media Spcialist

The hosts and groups will prepare their own scripts based on the library-related activity they are presenting.

Conference Activities:

Host site (8th grade class) connects to 6th grade class

AGENDA: (approximately 45 minutes)

(5 minutes) Welcome and introductions: students at both sites introduce themselves. 8th grade host welcomes 6th graders to the tour.

(30 minutes) Media Center presentations: student groups will role play and present the activity at their stations (5 minutes per group). Questions will be asked and answered throughout the tour.

(10 minutes) Wrap-up discussion: additional questions will be addressed by the Media Specialist at the host site. Discussion of differences and similarities between the two Media Centers will be encouraged.

This project was written by Carol Grandholm in the class Planning Interactive Curriculum Connections.