Last week I had the opportunity to attend a seminar in which we explored concepts of informal leadership, including strategies for problem solving, crisis and conflict management, and building diverse teams. While I consider the relationships built during the week the most valuable "take-away" from the experience, the following take-aways represent the moments from the... Continue Reading →
Mobile Learning Tools at School
I am excited about the learning that can happen on mobile devices (mLearning). In this post, I've included a few thoughts about using mLearning in schools, as well as a useful chart for choosing appropriate mLearning tools and a brief description of an activity that will engage even our youngest students in meaningful mLearning. There... Continue Reading →
Our Reading Summer
"Reading Summer" at our house is that brief time of year when we have the opportunity to read whatever we want, without the distraction of assigned reading. I enjoy reading. I actually find my textbooks engaging. There is something, though, about having an entire three weeks to binge on my own reading choices that makes... Continue Reading →
TURI KUMWE: We are Together
This summer, I took a Youth Services in Library Environments course that included a one-week residency at Syracuse University. In the class were the usual mix I've come to expect in my library & information science classes at the iSchool--a wonderful mix of students from around the country who represent a wide variety ages, backgrounds,... Continue Reading →
Digital Move in Progress, Geographical Move to Come
I'm so glad you found me! I am currently working to make sure that my old blog has migrated to my new blog address in a readable sort of way. I have a few drafts in the queue about literacy, the digital divide, collaboration, and our upcoming move to Georgia. That move won't happen for... Continue Reading →
Incorporating Informational Text Into Library-based Activities
School librarians can serve an important role in supporting teachers and students as they adjust to new expectations. While I still have a number of questions about the best way to assist teachers as they integrate Informational Text into their lessons, I see a number of opportunities that these authentic texts offer. Check out my Goodreads... Continue Reading →
Death To (Assigned) Summer Reading! Long Live Summer Reading!
Alexander Nazaryan's article Trust Me, Assigning Summer Reading Is Totally Pointless has set off a rather passionate discussion about summer reading among book-lovers and library-types. I've been baffled to see Nazaryan's article characterized as anti-summer reading. I found the opposite in the article. I think the way to encourage summer reading, and the love of reading in... Continue Reading →
Encourage Making Over Using
The following is an actual question, posed by an actual school librarian: You can't use citation generators--why?? That is awful--we need to prepare kids for the real world. In the real world we use the generators.The original post that inspired this "question from an actual school librarian" was by a school media specialist asking colleagues to share... Continue Reading →
Memorial Day
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae (1872-1918) In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset... Continue Reading →
3D Printers, Creativity, and Innovation
Creativity and innovation are at the heart of my library school experience at Syracuse University. 3D Printing is an innovative technology being adopted by some public and school libraries as a tool to foster innovation and creativity. In my Motivating 21st Century Learners course, we were asked to think of ways 3D printers could encourage... Continue Reading →
Kate Gukeisen 