On March 13, our school community went home from school not knowing how long we would be gone. We (two high school librarians) knew we needed to dramatically (and quickly) shift how we supported students and teachers, but it took… Read More ›
Technology
Using Canvas in an Elementary Library
My school has been using Canvas as its learning management system (LMS) for the past three years. At the elementary level, we were using Canvas primarily to communicate with parents. Before last spring, there was limited, if any, curriculum content… Read More ›
Reopening School Libraries: A Plan of Action
The COVID-19 pandemic brings exceptional challenges to school districts nationwide. Do schools reopen to students in-person, online, or as a hybrid model of blended learning? And a decision made one day could change the next. Most importantly, working in a… Read More ›
Staying Connected in Remote Learning
For many of us the feeling of connection in our profession has changed by the new educational world since the pandemic. We aren’t engaging with our students and staff in person, and we don’t have the chance for organic conversations… Read More ›
Beyond Video Conference Fatigue
Craving In-Person Teaching and Learning More than fifteen years ago, as I was choosing a library science graduate school, my number one priority was that the program be an in-person style plan. At the time, many of the library schools… Read More ›
Top Tools to Create Instructional Videos
As we head into a new school year, many things will be different in the library. One area that may be different is how librarians deliver instruction to students. Several tools are available online to help provide instruction through videos:… Read More ›
Remote Learning Reboot
How are things going in your state and district? In North Carolina, we’ve been waiting–waiting to hear what the governor would say and then waiting to hear how districts would respond. Anticipating a need, the Friday Institute developed a course… Read More ›
Librarian on a Cart: Bringing the Library to the Classroom
In September, the plan is to head back to in-person learning. Since I work with elementary students, the goal is to provide fewer transitions to different locations in the building. The homeroom class will be their cohort to help limit… Read More ›
Embedded 2020
Embedded Librarian? The first thought that comes to my mind when I hear the word embedded is about a tick I found behind my dog’s left ear. When I asked a friend their first impression, they said a wartime journalist. … Read More ›
Using Voice Recordings to Support the National School Library Standards
Recently I was reminded of a tool called Vocaroo that allows users to record and share their voices online. There is something more personable about leaving a message for your students, parents, and teachers that includes your voice. The best thing about… Read More ›