All posts by John

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

10 tips for troubleshooting your Internet connection

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Adsl_connections.jpgMost of us live on the internet. From mobile phones to wi-fi to all our services in the cloud, we need a stable internet connection! But what if that connection goes down? PC Mag to the rescue with a list of 10 tips for troubleshooting your internet connection.

First they help you look at your modem and router with practical tips for determining if they are working. Next they show you how you can examine your firmware and device configurations. Last, they help you make sure your PC is healthy too.

Read the whole list of tips now!

General, School Media Specialist

AASL Recommended App: iBiome: Wetland

ibiomeThe American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out earlier this year with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration. 

This week we highlight iBiome: Wetland. “This app allows students to explore 3 different wetland habitats (mangrove swamp, saltwater marsh, freshwater marsh) by building bio domes. Within each bio dome students learn about food webs and the interaction between plants and over 50 species of animals. The goal is to build the optimum environment for the survival of both plants and animals.” AASL tells us that students using the app will immediately see how adding species to bio domes will affect an ecosystem.

The app is recommended for upper Elementary (3-6) students. It is available on IOS for $2.99. Check out the cool trailer for the app:

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Reading aloud to teens

bustle...Reading aloud is usually associated with young children, although recently, new efforts to read aloud to adults have surfaced too. But, what about teens?

With many story-time programs at schools and public libraries we create an environment where children hear, engage, and appreciate the stories that are being read to them. But can teens also benefit from being read to? A recent article in the School Library Journal (SLJ) says yes!

“Young people often listen at a higher comprehension level than they read,” says Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook.  This fact allows teens to advance their reading skills just by listening. “While some educators may view reading aloud as a step backward pedagogically, or not the most productive use of class time, reading aloud can advance teens’ listening and literacy skills by piquing their interest in new and/or rigorous material.” The SLJ article continues, “It also builds what Trelease calls the “pleasure connection” between the young person and the book and the person reading aloud.”

And isn’t a pleasure in reading what we ultimately want?

Check out the whole SLJ article now for more details on how reading to teens can help them learn.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/kh96ovf, licensed under CC BY 2.0
General

The science behind adult coloring books

photo-1453749024858-4bca89bd9edcRecently there has been an explosion of adult coloring books. Even 5 of Amazon’s current top 15 books are coloring books. More than just a fad, there seems to be some actual science behind the act of putting crayon to paper.

Jordan Gaines Lewis, a science writer and neuroscience Ph.D. student at Penn State College of Medicine, recently wrote a piece about how coloring can help with your life.

Everyday Creativity

Lewis explains that many people are finding a lack of creativity in their lives. Obviously the act of coloring can help with that, but it goes beyond the simple act of coloring. From simple decisions of what color to use, to expressing your personal style when you choose what to color next, they all help. Lewis claims “more new research has focused on how creativity, especially in the form of visual art, can improve physical health.”

Decision Fatigue

Lewis also shares how many of us are suffering from Decision Fatigue. We all have too many impactful choices to make everyday. Coloring allows us to make “a series of small, inconsequential decisions (teal or mahogany for this squiggly line?)” and may help us get a small part of self-control back after a long day.

The article is a fun read and not too long so read it now or just go and color… we won’t mind!

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/1zR3WNSTnvY (Aaron Burden), licensed under CC0 1.0
General, School Media Specialist

AASL Recommended App: Ripped Apart: A Civil War Mystery

ripped_apartThe 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 Ripped Apart: A Civil War Mystery. The Civil War can be a hard subject for many students to engage in. Developed by the Smithsonian, this app “uses an inquiry-based approach to teach students about the Civil War. Users must solve puzzles to unlock clues and add notes to their journal.” The best part: upper elementary-high school students get a great introduction to the resources available through the Smithsonian Institute, while also reinforcing Civil War content.

The app is FREE for iOS devices and recommended for Upper Elementary and Middle School students. Check out the video below to learn more about the Smithsonian photographs that went into the app: