Its that time of year again when “libraries showcase all the great digital resources and services that are available to help teens succeed in school and prepare for college and 21st century careers.” We’re talking about Teen Tech Week of course.
Teen Tech Week is during the week of March 6-12, 2016 and to help you get ready, the Teen Tech website has toolkits galore! From Making to Event Planning to even Publicity they’ve got you covered. Get on board with this year’s theme of “Create it at your Library.”
Imagine a World where Every Librarian Added One More Reference to Wikipedia.
Whether we admit it or not, most people start their research with Wikipedia. It serves its purpose: to give a general idea of a topic and sometimes where to find more research. Some have criticized Wikipedia and its crowd-sourced, un-referenced content, but what if we were part of a solution to fix this? Enter in #1Lib1Ref, a campaign organized by a few people at ACRL Tech Connect to get librarians to add at least one reference to Wikipedia. Check out the whole how-to on their Wikipedia page.
How can you get involved with #1Lib1Ref? Start by “citation chasing,” finding an article that is in need of citation. You can use this tool to aid in your search. Next, add a citation to a reliable source to benefit Wikipedia readers worldwide. Finally, make sure that when you add the reference to the article, you include the hashtag #1Lib1Ref in the edit summary so that the organizers can track participation.
Read more stories about #1Lib1Ref. Know that next time you are looking for something to do, instead of watching a reality show, add a reference to Wikipedia!
On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law. ESSA, which included school libraries in a number of the provisions, replaces the No Child Left Behind version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and has language that ensures “effective school libraries” are addressed in state and local plans.
Effect on School Libraries
ESSA has ramifications for school libraries beyond making them “effective” and AASL has weighed in on opportunities they see for school librarians. From improving basic programs operated by state and local educational agencies to innovative approaches to literacy, thier document highlights and provides an overview of initial next steps to help maximize opportunities for effective school library programming.
Get Involved!
There will be an informational meeting put on by the Minnesota Department of Education to discuss ESSA’s effect on schools in Minnesota and solicit feedback for developing a ESSA state plan. Visit their website for more information or attend the event!
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at MDE, Conference Center B, Room 15
Please contact Clair Gades at clair.gades@state.mn.us to confirm your attendance at the informational meeting on February 9.
Even More Information
ESSA is a big piece of legislation and all its effects have not been fully realized. Stay tuned for all the ripple effects with these links:
Each month we’ll bring you a compiled list of fun national holidays, birthdays of authors, and publication dates of favorite books. You can use these for your own personal use or for some library inspiration!
January is National Thank You Month and Weight Loss Awareness month! How long did your resolutions last?
Recently, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning for 2015. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration.
This week we highlight Algodoo. The app “uses 2D simulations to create scenes and allow users to experiment with physics concepts through the building of interactive inventions or games.” AASL tells us that Algodoo has great online videos and helpful “Learn-It” tips.
The app is recommended for Upper Elementary (3-5), Secondary (6-8), and High School students. It is available on IOS for $4.99 or FREE for Windows or Mac. Check out this webinar showing off the sketch tool and gestures:
Partnering with libraries for visioning, advocating, and educating
Its that time of year again when “libraries showcase all the great digital resources and services that are available to help teens succeed in school and prepare for college and 21st century careers.” We’re talking about Teen Tech Week of course.
Imagine a World where Every Librarian Added One More Reference to Wikipedia.
