WEBOOKS, a cooperative ebook purchasing plan, has been named a Cutting Edge Technology Project by the American Library Association. This model can work for districts and consortia around the country, says Christopher Harris.
Flying Twice as High: Reading Rainbow 2.0 | SLJ Talks to LeVar Burton
By on February 12, 2013
Thirty years after its debut, most of us can still remember every word of the theme song and hum its melody. That’s the legacy of, and the power behind, Reading Rainbow, says LeVar Burton. In this one-on-one interview, Burton chats candidly to SLJ about the reiteration of the brand as a subscription-based tablet app and its anticipated expansion to the Web, children’s literacy, his ongoing mission to create lifelong readers, and his efforts to advocate for access for all kids.
Bookshare Launches New eBook Tools for Kids with Print Disabilities
By on February 7, 2013
Bookshare has announced that it is launching two new additions to its product line as part of its continuing effort to help kids with print disabilities connect with books. Bookshare Web Reader allows readers to directly open books with a browser without requiring them to download the book or utilize separate software, while Bookshelf allows readers (or their teachers) to organize selections by any system they choose.
Resources for Digital Learning
By on February 6, 2013
Technology integration isn’t confined to a single 24 hours, of course. To help inform your practice on Digital Learning Day and beyond, we offer related stories featured in SLJ and the Digital Shift, including the insight and expertise of Joyce Valenza, Richard Byrne, and other contributors.
Give Lessons a Byte on Digital Learning Day
By on February 5, 2013
Best of Apps & Enhanced Books | February 2013
By on February 1, 2013 Leave a Comment
BiblioBoard and Pyramids 3D, check out these App reviews.
CES 2013 Top Trends for Schools: From adaptive ebooks to crowd-funded technology, products to look out for
By on January 23, 2013
Grumbling about the relevance of CES notwithstanding, several standout products are set to impact K–12 education. SLJ columnist Jeff Hastings taps the highlights, including one overarching trend that’s bound to affect a wide range of devices for all users.
As Tablets Supplant Ereaders, New Challenges Arise for Publishers
By on January 17, 2013
Sixty percent of publishing executives believe that tablets have become “the ideal reading platform,” and 45 percent believe that dedicated e-readers will soon be irrelevant, according to a recent online, by-invitation survey conducted by global research and advisory firm Forrester.
Kids’ Ebook Reading Nearly Doubled Since 2010, Scholastic Reading Survey Finds
By on January 14, 2013
The number of kids reading ebooks has nearly doubled since 2010, according to Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report, which was released today. The national survey of kids age 6–17 and their parents also found that half of kids age 9–17 say they would read more books for fun if they had greater access to ebooks—although 80 percent of kids who read ebooks say they still read books for fun primarily in print.
Ebook Toolkit: SLJ Reviews StarWalk Kids
By on January 9, 2013
School Library Journal columnist Jeff Hastings test drives the new Web- and subscription-based ebook collection StarWalk Kids.
Ebooks 2013: New leasing models, cheaper devices, more content
By on January 4, 2013
“School libraries, I believe, will be the coming focal point for ebook licensing,” write Chris Harris. “We have strong relationships with our K–12 publishing partners, but now we must reach out to the trade houses. As the print market weakens, the time is right for schools to present a new business proposal.”
School Library Journal 2012 – A Year in Review
By on January 2, 2013
From the Hunger Games, the Common Core, and maker spaces, to Gangnam Style and the ongoing ebook wars, a look at the highlights and key themes of 2012, according to Twitter.
Libraries Use iPads and Apps to Ramp Up Storytime, but Concerns Remain
By on December 27, 2012
In a shift occurring nationwide, libraries are conducting “digital storytime,” using apps in kids’ programs for education, entertainment, and involving parents in the learning process. But not everyone’s sold on the use of iPads, especially with very young children.
A Call for ‘Blended Funding’: Schools must pool money to support Common Core
By on December 10, 2012
How will schools pay for new CC resources, including digital? One approach is to look for existing funds within your school and district that can be redirected so that your library can purchase CC resources for the classroom. But that requires that libraries market their expertise in resource selection and collection development so that your value is obvious to others, says Christopher Harris.
National Federation of the Blind to Take Protest to Amazon, Denouncing School Kindle Use as Discriminatory to Blind Students
By on December 5, 2012
Due to their longstanding frustration with Amazon’s failure to make Kindle ereaders accessible to people who are blind, officials from the National Federation of the Blind will be protesting outside Amazon’s Seattle headquarters on December 12.
SLJ’s Top 10 Tech: 2012
By on December 3, 2012
From MOOCs to open educational resources, Joyce Valenza examines the top trends of the year in technology. There are unique opportunities for librarians here and Valenza outlines specific actionables in this online version of School Library Journal’s feature story.
A Call for Fair Ebook Pricing: Site-based pricing has small schools overcharged
By on November 26, 2012
Christopher Harris shares his thoughts on how rural districts—with an average size of 1,100 students and less than half the budget of the average New York school district—are, in effect, subsidizing the state’s large, wealthy, suburban systems, which are purchasing the same content at the same cost per building.
SLJ Features on Ebooks and CyberBullying Garner Eddies
By on November 25, 2012
Two School Library Journal articles took gold and silver prizes at the 2012 annual Eddie Awards, sponsored by FOLIO: magazine and recognizing editorial excellence in magazines and websites.
Free Web Tools Make Classroom Management Fun
By on November 19, 2012
Web applications that make it easy to create records in appealing formats for sharing, selected by Richard Byrne, School Library Journal’s Cool Tools columnist.
INFOdocket: Top Resources for K–12
By on November 12, 2012
