Libraries in the Internet Age

I love the people at Common Craft. I follow their blog to keep up with what is new and trending in a variety of areas: economics, technology, social media and more. The best part is their "explainer videos" and despite the fact that they look simple, they really help you grasp big concepts. This one, of course, is near and dear to me. Please take a moment to check it out! Common Craft Blog Posted: 31 Mar 2015 10:10 AM PDT Click here to view our  New Video: Libraries in the Internet Age We’ve released a new video and it’s not an explanation of hot new technology. In fact, it’s easy to assume that this subject hasn't changed in 100 years. Our new video is about libraries, and specifically, how they have evolved in the Internet Age.  Many of our wonderful supporters are libraries and librarians. In talking with them, we discovered that one of the biggest challenges they face is one of perception.  To many, libraries are relics. In the age of Google, Amazon and Wikipedia it’s easy to think that libraries haven’t changed; that they are from a by-gone era. But the truth is, they have evolved and this video explains how and why. It teaches: Why information is the real focus of every library How the Internet has impacted libraries Why more information isn’t always better How libraries and librarians help us navigate information What you are likely to find in libraries today Did you watch it?  What do you think?   Post a comment and share your thoughts!

Generation Z to Generation Alpha

Following are excerpts from:  How Generation Z Works by Lance Looper

They are your sons and daughters. They populate your neighborhoods, their thumbs spastically banging out two-way conversations composed entirely of over-punctuated and under-constructed sentences. They may even work for you. Eventually, you will work for them.

This is Generation Z, and they have never known a world without the Internet, cell phones or iPods.

Experts disagree on when exactly Gen Z begins. Some argue that the inaugural members were born as early as 1991 and as late as 2001 [sources: Hawkins, Schmidt], while others contend that anyone born after 1995 is part of Gen Z [source: Walliker]. What is not in dispute, however, is what sets this generation apart from any that came before, and that's the unique era in which they are being raised. This group, which today ranges from 11 to 20 years old, has lived their entire life with instant access to mountains of data on any topic that flutters through their imaginations. They've never known the frustration or sheer physical effort of rifling through the M-O volume of the encyclopedia to find out about the Magna Carta. They're technologically savvy and just as likely to spend their time writing and programming video games as simply playing them.

But they're also coming up in a world shaped by 9/11, Columbine and the War on Terror. They have a sense of social justice, philanthropy and maturity that comes with growing up during one of the most severe economic recessions in history.

Things change faster than anyone realizes, and they rarely go back. Educators are on the front lines of the Gen Z migration into adolescence, and they recognize that this group is different. One of the challenges the constant flow of information presents is that when tasked with solving a problem, today's students look for the quick answer rather than work toward solving the problem on their own. Their instinct is to pursue speed instead of accuracy [source: Hawkins].

Maybe the biggest hurdle facing teachers is that they're not on their home turf. They've had to learn technology as it was developed, experiencing these advancements as they happen while their students are "digital natives," meaning they've been raised in an environment where every piece of technology is intuitive, logical and mature.

Kids today have little need to await direction. They can access whatever information they need relatively freely and that information is usually enough to base a decision on. Where previous generations had to rely on a parent or teacher or supervisor to explain something, Gen Z isn't bound by those constraints and can access the info they need when they need it and get to work.

In the workplace, they're going to expect flexibility. When baby boomers entered the workforce, working for the same company their entire career was a barometer of success. Gen Z is going to have little interest in being a desk jockey for 40 hours a week [source: Page]. Instead, they'll view themselves as professional, permanent freelancers. They will swoop in with their particular expertise (they'll all be an expert in something), collect their bones and be off to the next project. At least that's how they see themselves.

Finally, they're going to be smart -- smarter even than previous generations, argue some. Their ability to process massive amounts of information quickly is actually preparing them to perform more mentally demanding jobs. In effect, an entire generation is training itself to handle more complicated tasks [source:Trunk].

So take heart. While they may seem like self-centered prima donnas now, there is reason to believe that today's kids will have both the intelligence and sense of social responsibility to contribute in ways that will outlast their ridiculous haircuts.

*Today's K - 2 students: The Alpha Generation

According to social researcher Mark McCrindle, the name was selected because, just as in science, once the Latin alphabet was exhausted they moved on to Greek letters. “This generation is likely to be the most formally educated in history. They will begin schooling earlier and study for longer.” Brought up in an era of information overload, they are expected to be even more tech-savvy and materialistic than their predecessors, Gen Z. 

*Excerpt from:  http://www.readersdigest.co.nz/the-next-generation

Digital Citizenship

"It is our responsibility as educators to teach our students how to manage, maintain and highlight their digital integrity. Just blocking tools does not teach them anything."

Andrew Marcinek said this at the workshop on Digital Citizenship that I attended during the Christa McAuliffe Tech Conference last month.  He spoke eloquently about "empowerment" over "acceptable use" and how we are "preparing students for their future, not our past." Students are creating their digital reputation from the minute they pick up a device or log into a computer. He pointed out that students use their devices to stay connected, so they don't feel alone, fulfilling a basic human instinct to seek each other out and create personal links. He reminded us that tech devices began with family TVs and are now very personal.

Clay Shirky, a writer, consultant and teacher on the social and economic effects of Internet technologies, says we can and should embrace this because “this linking together in turn lets us tap our cognitive surplus, the trillion hours a year of free time the educated population of the planet has to spend doing things they care about. In the 20th century, the bulk of that time was spent watching television, but our cognitive surplus is so enormous that diverting even a tiny fraction of time from consumption to participation can create enormous positive effects.” 

Digital Citizenship skills are transferable; they work in the real world as well as the virtual world.  The digital citizenship rules our students have been learning include:

• Use good netiquette: never be mean, rude or unkind to others online. (Be polite to others)
• Never chat, email or text with someone you don't know. (Don't talk to strangers)
• Don't give out your personal information like your birthdate, phone number, address or password.
• If something or someone makes you feel uncomfortable, sad or unsafe, tell a trusted adult.

You can see how these rules translate to basic personal safety.  But it is imperative that our students learn that these rules are as important in the virtual world as they are in the real world. 

I have been teaching Digital Citizenship lessons to each of our first and second grade classes this year. What do YOU think?  I welcome your comments on Digital Citizenship. 

For more information, check out these websites:

Netsmartz and Commonsense Media

*

 "

Zero to Eight: Children’s Media Use in America 2013", 

Commonsense Media: A Common Sense Research Study, October 28, 2013, 

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/zero-to-eight-childrens-media-use-in-america-2013

Christa McAuliffe Tech Conference 2014

I am waiting to post until I can bring back new and exciting ideas, tech tips, strategies and resources from the CMTC this week.  Check back next week to see what I discover!

No "Shushing" in our Library

When you come to the Library to get your class at the end of their library time, you may have noticed that students are NOT sitting quietly at tables, looking at their books. And THAT'S A GOOD THING! In our Library, you will see students working together, having conversations, sharing insights or solving problems.

The 21st century library is an active place where learning takes lots of different forms. Students still come to the Library for books, but they are also curious about their world and practicing all sorts of new skills. The Library is the place where they can explore, find answers, and have the time to follow their interests.

The Library is the best-equipped classroom in the school; puzzles, paper, crafts, manipulatives, technology equipment and of course, LOTS of books!  It makes sense that we use these resources to engage and excite students to pursue self-directed learning. All the activities are based on standards and help to reinforce the expectations in the classroom. It allows me to connect with students on many different levels, and I can better assess their needs based on the activities they choose and how they differentiate their own learning. It also gives me a chance to conduct "Reader Advisory" where I can really help students who need support in choosing a good book, because the other students are engaged and busy. I don't need to spend time "managing" the class - they manage themselves.

Best of all, the centers give children a chance to be self-motivated learners who can take charge of their behavior and actions as they pursue their interests while connecting with books.  Centers are changed monthly so students stay interested and engaged while using a variety of skill sets.

Here are some of the centers we have introduced this year, and the "I Can" statements that go with them:

In this center, students learn that combining letters can make different words. They will also practice putting words in alphabetical order (an essential skill for locating books on the library shelves), and understand the purpose of reference books such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. Boggle Junior, words on duplo blocks, and alphabet connect-the-dot games are some of the resources available here. Two students can go to this center so they can help each other use the materials.

Children love to solve puzzles.  We have several different puzzles that connect directly to classic children's books like Madeleine, Clifford, Goldilocks and more.  We also have some puzzles that connect to non-fiction books such as helicopters.  Three students are allowed at this center, so there are lots of skills happening here!

This center encourages students to use language to connect to books by making bookmarks, writing letters, making cards, menus, etc.  Children love to pretend they are authors, illustrators, letter-writers, etc. so this center gives them all the materials they need to explore their creative side. Four students are allowed to go to this center at one time.

At this center are technology tools that connect directly to books or stories.  Students may be reading an ebook on an iPad, playing a story-connected game on a laptop, or using an iPod to access apps that support reading.  Only one student is allowed at this center at a time.

Although this was an option for library students last year, this year it has become one of the center choices.  At this center, students might be challenged to figure out an anagram, estimate how many in a jar, solve a logic question, answer a geography question, or anything else that will encourage them to stretch their thinking.  Resources are provided at this center (for example, a map of the USA to answer a geography question) so students practice locating information to help them answer a question. Two students can go to this center at one time.

This is really just reading stools under the Book Tree, but students love to go here with a buddy to read together or share their chosen books.  Some students prefer the chance to read quietly to themselves.


Coming Soon!  The Exploration Center, The Collection Center and The Book Review Center

Great (Free) Classroom Resources!

Here are some of the best FREE resources for using technology in your classroom!
Click on the title to go to the website.

Classroom Freebies

This is a blog website where teachers who are willing to share their great ideas for free is centralized.  All teachers K-12 can find great resources, and the posts are  labeled according to the relevant grade levels, which makes it easy to search. 


Primary Possibilities

This excellent blog has tons of resources, including letters to parents, forms, worksheets, links and more! I would suggest following it by email or twitter or whatever format works for you so you don't miss a single great idea.

Here is just ONE  of the ideas I have gotten from Stephanie at Primary Possibilities. It shows the steps to LOCK AN APP on your iPad so you don't have to worry about students "browsing" to other apps or websites.

Wonderopolis

"Wonder is for everyone. It can happen anywhere and at anytime. Connecting the learning we do in our schools, our homes, and our communities, Wonderopolis walks the line between formal and informal education. Each day, we pose an intriguing question and explore it in a variety of ways. Our approach both informs and encourages new questions, sparking new paths of wonder and discovery in family and classroom settings."

PDF Search Engine – This is a brilliant tool that allows you to locate premade handouts and worksheets in no time.  Simply type in the topic and a list of .pdf printable documents will be available.

PBS Teachers – 

At PBS Teachers you can find videos from NOVA and the American Experience and interactive sites for elementary reading and math.






Below are some additional resources you should check out:

Common Core Resources on Pinterest

Reading Rockets

Time for Kids

freereading.net

Interactive Lessons for your Smartboard

National Geographic for Kids

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

The Three Rs of Summer

Rest, Relax and Recharge