How will the technology in your library be used to enhance student learning?
In my library, technology serves a number of different purposes. In the most basic application, technology makes books and reading accessible to students who otherwise would not have the same level of access. I have a set of Kindle Fire tablets that have excellent accessibility features, and also have the capacity to simultaneously play an audiobook and highlight the e-book text as the narration is read. This feature of the tablets is often used by students who would otherwise not be able to independently read and comprehend the DCF-nominated books, giving them access to those books. Teachers also use the accessibility and narration features when doing a class novel study, to ensure that all students are able to access the same text.
Technology also enhances learning because it empowers students to create media, rather than only consuming it. For example, I use iPads and Chromebooks in my teaching to enable students to record audio book talks, which we then upload to the internet and create a QR code linking to the file. The QR codes are placed in the sections of the library where the recommended books are located, and students can use the library iPads to scan the codes and hear recommendations from their peers. Another example is the 3D printer that is located in the library. Students use the online design program Tinkercad to create three dimensional models, which we then print on the 3D printer. Other opportunities to enhance student learning in this way include video creation, animation, other forms of design such as print design, and much, much more. It's exciting that there is such a wide variety of ways to use technology to transform the library to a creative space.
Finally, technology enhances student learning by connecting my students with people and students in other parts of the state, country and world. It is through the internet that my students and I can participate in events like Global Read Aloud, World Read Aloud Day, and more. We use collaborative social tools like Edmodo and Padlet to share our thoughts and images with classes who are reading the same books as us. We use tools like Skype or Google Hangout to talk with students in other places, to interview people about their interesting jobs, or to connect with authors about their books.
One key to enhancing student learning with technology is to always be open to learning about new opportunities and technologies that could better serve you and your students.
What are the greatest impediments facing your current technology situation and how can you overcome them. If you cannot, why?
There are a couple of challenges facing the current technology situation at Neshobe School. First is the unpredictability of the internet connection. Unfortunately, I have no control whatsoever over this, but it is a major goal of the district technology department to continuously improve the speed and reliability of our internet connection. I believe that, as time goes on, they will continually achieve this goal and our internet will be increasingly reliable and fast. Another challenge we face in our current technology situation is the total lack of a library technology budget. I attempt to overcome this challenge by continually advocating to the administration about the work that I am doing and communicating about the technology needs that I see in the school. I've been very lucky thus far that the principal has been convinced by my vision and done her best to provide additional financial resources when they are available. Another way I attempt to overcome this challenge is through fundraising. I use part of the proceeds from the yearly Scholastic Book Fair to purchase reading-focused technology, such as Kindle Fire tablets. I'm considering attempting a GoFundMe campaign next year for additional technology for the nascent MakerSpace at Neshobe. I also write grants whenever I have the time and opportunity, although this has been unsuccessful thus far.
How will you be sure that your library resources are available to all students -- think of accessibility here in both access in school and out of school situations.
I make the library's digital resources available to students through the library website, which I show students how to access through the main Neshobe website and have all students bookmark on their school Chromebooks. I hand out notecards with logins and passwords for the password-protected resources, and let students know that they can always email me if they need the information again. Very few elementary-age students need to access resources outside of school time, but they do like looking at the library website to see their work from class.
To make library technology resources available to all students, I do significant research about the accessibility features of each piece of technology before choosing to purchase. I purchased more expensive Kindle Fire tablets (rather then simple black and white Kindles) because they have the capacity to provide an immersion reading experience with both audio and e-book. As a librarian, it's not my job to know everything about each piece of technology, but rather to know where to find that information---I am practiced at researching accessibility features of different pieces of technology, and brainstorming multiple solutions to a problem.
Generally speaking, I solve access problems as I see them come up---I'm not particularly proactive about accessibility, and I aspire to become better at preemptively providing universal access as I get a better handle on the many other aspects of my work in the Neshobe Library.
In my library, technology serves a number of different purposes. In the most basic application, technology makes books and reading accessible to students who otherwise would not have the same level of access. I have a set of Kindle Fire tablets that have excellent accessibility features, and also have the capacity to simultaneously play an audiobook and highlight the e-book text as the narration is read. This feature of the tablets is often used by students who would otherwise not be able to independently read and comprehend the DCF-nominated books, giving them access to those books. Teachers also use the accessibility and narration features when doing a class novel study, to ensure that all students are able to access the same text.
Technology also enhances learning because it empowers students to create media, rather than only consuming it. For example, I use iPads and Chromebooks in my teaching to enable students to record audio book talks, which we then upload to the internet and create a QR code linking to the file. The QR codes are placed in the sections of the library where the recommended books are located, and students can use the library iPads to scan the codes and hear recommendations from their peers. Another example is the 3D printer that is located in the library. Students use the online design program Tinkercad to create three dimensional models, which we then print on the 3D printer. Other opportunities to enhance student learning in this way include video creation, animation, other forms of design such as print design, and much, much more. It's exciting that there is such a wide variety of ways to use technology to transform the library to a creative space.
Finally, technology enhances student learning by connecting my students with people and students in other parts of the state, country and world. It is through the internet that my students and I can participate in events like Global Read Aloud, World Read Aloud Day, and more. We use collaborative social tools like Edmodo and Padlet to share our thoughts and images with classes who are reading the same books as us. We use tools like Skype or Google Hangout to talk with students in other places, to interview people about their interesting jobs, or to connect with authors about their books.
One key to enhancing student learning with technology is to always be open to learning about new opportunities and technologies that could better serve you and your students.
What are the greatest impediments facing your current technology situation and how can you overcome them. If you cannot, why?
There are a couple of challenges facing the current technology situation at Neshobe School. First is the unpredictability of the internet connection. Unfortunately, I have no control whatsoever over this, but it is a major goal of the district technology department to continuously improve the speed and reliability of our internet connection. I believe that, as time goes on, they will continually achieve this goal and our internet will be increasingly reliable and fast. Another challenge we face in our current technology situation is the total lack of a library technology budget. I attempt to overcome this challenge by continually advocating to the administration about the work that I am doing and communicating about the technology needs that I see in the school. I've been very lucky thus far that the principal has been convinced by my vision and done her best to provide additional financial resources when they are available. Another way I attempt to overcome this challenge is through fundraising. I use part of the proceeds from the yearly Scholastic Book Fair to purchase reading-focused technology, such as Kindle Fire tablets. I'm considering attempting a GoFundMe campaign next year for additional technology for the nascent MakerSpace at Neshobe. I also write grants whenever I have the time and opportunity, although this has been unsuccessful thus far.
How will you be sure that your library resources are available to all students -- think of accessibility here in both access in school and out of school situations.
I make the library's digital resources available to students through the library website, which I show students how to access through the main Neshobe website and have all students bookmark on their school Chromebooks. I hand out notecards with logins and passwords for the password-protected resources, and let students know that they can always email me if they need the information again. Very few elementary-age students need to access resources outside of school time, but they do like looking at the library website to see their work from class.
To make library technology resources available to all students, I do significant research about the accessibility features of each piece of technology before choosing to purchase. I purchased more expensive Kindle Fire tablets (rather then simple black and white Kindles) because they have the capacity to provide an immersion reading experience with both audio and e-book. As a librarian, it's not my job to know everything about each piece of technology, but rather to know where to find that information---I am practiced at researching accessibility features of different pieces of technology, and brainstorming multiple solutions to a problem.
Generally speaking, I solve access problems as I see them come up---I'm not particularly proactive about accessibility, and I aspire to become better at preemptively providing universal access as I get a better handle on the many other aspects of my work in the Neshobe Library.
Excellent Hannah. I certainly hope your internet connection is improved since so much hinges on it. And of course, YES to your accessibility model.
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