Archives

An age-old question students have is, “Why are we doing this?” Students have asked that question for decades before us, and they will continue to ask well into the future. Luckily, there is a simple answer to why citations are important. In the digital age we live in, it’s absolutely critical to understand copyright and plagiarism. Citations are important whether students are writing a paper and need to cite evidence, or when using music for a presentation. Each of these areas comes with its own rules and regulations for copyright.  Why Citations are Important Citations are important because they protect people’s work. When we cite a work correctly, we are giving credit to the owner or creator of that work. Being fair is something students are often naturally passionate about, so help bridge that connection for students. When we cite = we are being fair. In order to appropriately
The internet is a double-edged sword. It’s filled with useful information. We have knowledge and power at our fingertips, and there is a lot of good it can do for the world. But, the internet is also dangerous and scary. There are dark corners of the internet where harmful things lurk. How can we keep our students safe? If you ever use technology in your classroom, it’s imperative that you teach internet safety for kids. What does internet safety mean? Internet safety for kids can mean a wide variety of things, from protecting passwords to not having access to inappropriate content. Essentially, internet safety is about protecting the student (and also equipment) from potentially dangerous content. When teaching internet safety, especially to young students, it might feel a little awkward. How do I explain that the internet can be a dangerous place? However, with younger students, you don’t need
Our school libraries or Media Centers are re-inventing themselves within the 21st century educational world.  One of the ways librarians are incorporating technology in schools is through online student book clubs. Online student book clubs are a great way to encourage students to read! In today’s age of virtual or digital learning, an online student book club is the perfect way for librarians and media specialists to engage students to socialize in addition to losing themselves in a great book. Online book clubs help to promote a love for reading and literature. They also give students a sense of belonging while supporting their social and emotional mindset. Check out these tips for online student book clubs you can use in your library! Let students choose their books Providing choice in what your students are reading can not only encourage them to pick up a book but eventually find themselves
Whether you are back to school, fully remote, or somewhere in between, there is so much you can do to help support classroom teachers with digital literacy needs! So how can librarians help teachers during distance learning? Check out these easy tips to be the support system your teachers need without stressing yourself out! Share free, easy to implement tools There are so many flashy, fun tech tools out there. During distance learning, your inbox is no doubt full of free trials and other support information for teachers and librarians. Rather than send every offer or idea to classroom teachers, pick one or two that you think can A) best support them and their students, B) are free, and C) are simple to use. Flipgrid Flipgrid is an online platform where students can record video responses in an instant from any internet enabled device. I love Flipgrid for book
I admit it. There have been so many new tech tools in the last several years that it’s hard to keep up. Online learning platforms, Zooms and Meets, and even games are everywhere. It’s definitely a good time for edtech! However, one that has stood the test of time for me is Kahoot! This tool is an online quiz platform that allows students to compete, take independent individualized quizzes, or simply review for assessments. Teachers love using Kahoot! in the classroom for formative assessments and review, but Kahoot! also has a place in the library classroom. Using Kahoot! in the library is transformative for your elementary students’ learning experience. Here are a few ways you can start using Kahoot! in your library. Preview New Books Kahoot! is a great way to help students get a little bit of background on new titles in the library or featured titles. Creating
Perhaps, you’ve already started using Flipgrid You’ve signed up, set up your grids, and made topics. Now that you have your Flipgrid account set up, it’s time to figure out how to best utilize Flipgrid as a librarian. Flipgrid has so many uses for your own Library classroom. Check out how to use Flipgrid in the library. Book Talks First, one way to use Flipgrid in your library classroom is for book talks. Start by creating a grid or topic for Book Talks. Model your own Book Talk by sharing your own video review. Book Talks are less about opinions, however, and more of a teaser for a book.  For example, give your review of Katherine Applegate’s latest book, The One and Only Bob, the sequel to The One and Only Ivan.  Your students will see your teaser of the New York Times’ Best Seller and create their own