Are you wondering if book lovers can find interesting boards on Pinterest? Consider children’s book maps, bookmobiles, or book spine poetry! Here are 15 exceptionally entertaining Pinterest boards for you to explore. Go to http://tinyurl.com/8n8f4tu. Not in an elementary school? Consider your grandchildren or your neighborhood children, and you will be a hit! From Delightful Childrens Books, Oct. 7.
We’ve Learned… is designed to keep our readers informed about news concerning personnel in CMLE libraries/media centers. Please keep us informed of any “happenings” regarding staff members in your area so that we can include them in the next write-up! Happenings can include: changes in staffing, awards, honors… you get the idea!
A recent Star Tribune article, Internet Flips the Idea of How to Teach a Class, highlighted the efforts of some local college professors and instructors utilizing the flipped classroom method in their classrooms. Not only is this article (and its information) local, but it also details some of the successes and failures of this new teaching method. In addition, a recent study of 720 physics professors showed that at least 72 percent had tried various interactive teaching methods (like those that are a part of the flipped classroom); however, at least a third of those instructors tried — and eventually stopped using interactive methods. Some cite push back from students in the flipped classroom, as well as little support for instructors once they’ve “made the switch”. Ongoing support, continuing education, and access to professional resources is a must for forward-thinking instructors who have gotten up the gumption to attempt the flipped classroom.
Frog Dissection offers a scientifically accurate and greener alternative for teaching dissection in the classroom. It’s suitable for middle school students (and up) who are learning about organs and organ systems as part of their life science curriculum. This app offers 3D imaging, step-by-step instructions with voice over, and information about frogs’ organs, organ cycle, classification, lifecycle. This app is available on iPad for around $3.99. Find more information at http://frogvirtualdissection.com/.
From National Geographic comes the GeoBee Challenge App! Available for iPhone®, iPod touch®, iPad®, Android™, and NOOK Color™ this app allows students to try their hand at answering geography questions from around the globe! Complete with beautiful maps, students will have a multiple choice round, a map challenge round, and a bonus round! Some of the very same questions that are asked during the National Geographic Bee contest are on this app! This app generally costs around $1.99. Find it at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee/apps/ or in your app store!