May 18, 2013

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Technology is Not the Goal | Tech Tidbits from the Guybrarian’s Gal

Read 180

As librarians, our role is often one of instructional coach. We are called on to help teachers and students find solutions to challenges. Recently, a teacher asked for assistance in locating 35 iPads for a great lesson idea she had. She teaches Read 180, a class dedicated to helping struggling readers improve their literacy skills. She and two of her colleagues who teach our English Language Learners wanted to use the new app from Apple, iBooks Author, which allows you to create interactive, multi-touch books that incorporate captions, links, and even video. It’s a great tool, but we had a major problem—we don’t have any iPads.

Create Your Own Magazines with Flipboard | screencast tutorial

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Now anyone can create a beautiful digital zine of customized content, thanks to Flipboard. In a highly touted feature, version 2.0 of the iconic newsstand app allows users to select content they find on Flipboard to create magazines on any interest or topic. SLJ’s screencast shows you how to make your own publication in the image-rich format, add articles, and publish to the world or select subscribers.

Librarians Use Social Networking Professionally More than Teachers and Principals, According to Report

Librarians Use Social Networking Professionally More than Teachers and Principals, According to Report

A recent report conducted by MMS Education reveals that librarians use social networking more than other educators.

Make Your Own Infographics | Screencast Tutorial

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You can create infographics—visual representations of data—from scratch using free web tools. Library consultant and educator Linda W. Braun takes you step by step through making your own infographic using easel.ly and info.gram.

Tech Tidbits from the Guybrarian’s Gal: Make Technology Work for You

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A friend of mine recently forwarded me one of those emails. I’m sure you’re familiar with them: lots of cute photos, and when you scroll to the bottom, you typically see some kind of humorous statement. This particular email had several pictures, all of teenagers—at the park, in a restaurant or car, at a baseball game. And in every image, the teens wereahunched over, totally engrossed in their cell phones. The very last photo is of Albert Einstein, and it’s accompanied by a quote from him: “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.”

iPads for Everyone: How a small library program became a runaway hit and reached more than 4,100 kids and teachers

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Carolyn Foote brought six iPads into her school library in a modest pilot program that evolved into a school-wide 1:1 rollout. Librarians are well-positioned to play a critical role, says Carl Hooker, director of instructional technology for Eanes ISD, “They are the conduit to the ed-tech department as well as being a ‘just in time’ trainer.”

Travis’s Excellent (Ereader) Adventure

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In this month’s cover story for School Library Journal, Jonker, an elementary school librarian, documents the launch of an ereader lending program in words and pictures. This article is adapted from a series of posts at Jonker’s blog 100 Scope Notes, which is moving to SLJ.com.

Making the Most of Video in the Classroom | Cool Tools

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From Vialogues and SynchTube to TED-Ed, free tools for hosting conversation around videos.

What’s on My iPad: A few key apps let you hit the road laptop free

What’s on My iPad: A few key apps let you hit the road laptop free

From Keynote to Penultimate, the must-have productivity apps SLJ columnist Christopher Harris puts to use while on the road.