All posts by Kate

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Staying App-licable with Apps!

An increasing number of libraries are developing applications (apps) for use on mobile smartphones. With a smartphone comes the ability to access a great deal of information and entertainment directly over the phone. More often than not, this information and entertainment comes to the user in the form of an app. Everything from games, to reference resources, to calorie counters, to ebook readers are available.  It’s really amazing what’s out there!

As patrons become increasingly comfortable and dependent upon their mobile phones and apps, it’s up to libraries to respond to this trend and develop apps of their own.

Recently, ALA recognized the Orange County Library System (OCLS) as a cutting edge library system due to their new app called “OCLS Shake It”.  “OCLS Shake It” is a downloadable app for the iPhone and iPad. It allows users to shake or scroll on their iPhone or iPad to have books, videos and other materials “suggested” to them by the library catalog. The app even allows the user to filter their results by genre, audience, and format. How fun is that?! The OCLS currently has five apps to share with patrons. Most of the apps were developed through partnerships with vendors.

Looking for more library apps? Check out this three part article on the top 30 iPhone apps from Ellyssa Kroski’s iLibrarian blog. Ellyssa also just shared Mashable’s  top apps to watch in 2011!

Locally, some of our Minnesota public library systems have an app available for the Overdrive Media Console. The Overdrive Media Console app allows users to read ebooks, listen to audiobooks, and find libraries… all on their smartphone!

What are your thoughts on apps? What are some of your favorites? What types of library apps would you like to see in the future? What types of apps would our patrons LOVE…if only we had them?

Image: ‘apps’ from  http://www.flickr.com/photos/ehecatzin/3287079932/

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Robot Teachers?

Could it be true? Are robots teaching classrooms full of children in South Korea? An article I stumbled across today on Yahoo News from AFP, titled S. Korea Schools Get Robot English Teachers describes this trend as it’s occurring in South Korea. Apparently it seems to be a success. It keeps children interested, allows shy children to express themselves more easily, and allows students in towns that have been “shunned” by foreign English speakers to learn English. Another article from CNN dated October 22, 2010 delves into this trend as well. Both articles claim that the robots are not replacing teachers, rather they are a learning tool available to students, and they act as assistants to the teachers.

Image: ‘Robot’ from http://www.flickr.com/photos/avoiretc/3441244946/

General, School Media Specialist

TIES 2010 Conference Summary: A CMLE Scholarship

The following was submitted by a CMLE scholarship recipient.

Submitted by: Mark Krueger, North Junior High Media Specialist

The TIES Conference 2010 was an excellent conference. There were many very good sessions to take part in. It seemed like the focus was more mobile devices than in the past. Such devices that were discussed in many sessions were iPods and iPads. Administrators who attended the conference received their own free iPads.

The keynote speaker on Monday was Sir Ken Robinson. He was an excellent speaker. Sir Robinson talked about how each learner has strengths and weaknesses. Each person has something that they are good at and education needs to change to help develop these personalized strengths. What also made him an excellent speaker was his ability to engage the audience with humor.

Overall I thought TIES 2010 was worth the trip. It is always a good experience to meet with other professionals in the area of education and technology. It is also a great time to talk with vendors about individual school needs. I know I talked with numerous vendors for multiple hours about what they have that could contribute to my school’s success. Such tools include projectors, document cameras, and audio devices. I would recommend the TIES conference in the future for any teacher or media specialist interested in technology and education.

School Media Specialist

National Geographic Giant Traveling Maps

National Geographic has Giant Traveling Maps available for use by schools. The maps are the largest maps ever produced by National Geographic and require a gym or large room for use. Each map is accompanied by a set of activities and other materials. Currently maps for Africa, Asia, North American and South America are available for loan. Schools can borrow the traveling maps for $450 (for the minimum two-week loan). Each additional week costs $225/week.