Tag Archives: Device

Academic, Check this out:, CMLE, Public, School Media Specialist, Special, Visits

A Visit to the Avon Elementary School Library

Angie and I were invited to visit the Avon Elementary School library, where we were in the capable hands of Cathy Studer and Gayle. They showed us around their very nice library, in between helping their young patrons and teachers in technology distress. (A busy library’s work is never done!) Teaching a class in the computer lab behind the library was Dana Dingmann, and swamped with busy kids working on assorted projects. Dana also helps in the library, and works on devices for the school.

book-tasting-display
looks good enough to eat!

When you walk in the door you immediately see this great display. It changes monthly, and this month they are focused on food and books. This theme carries over to other displays in the library.

tablets-and-crayons
important library supplies

Check out the really cute basket of crayons! This food-themed strategy for putting out crayons for patron is on all the work tables in the library. The library is also available for backup for the school’s technology needs. They have a laptop cart with 30 laptops, and iPad cart with 30 devices, and another cart of 30 Chromebooks. Each classroom works on a 2:1 ratio of tech tools – Chromebooks and iPads – to student. Cathy and Gayle are available to work with everyone to be sure the tech is effective in teaching and learning. And there was a copy of a Magic Tree House series book – one of my favorites! Continue reading A Visit to the Avon Elementary School Library →

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Are You and Siri BFF’s?

Have you now downloaded iOS7 and gotten somewhat acclimated to the new operating system? If you haven’t done it yet, you may want to review our recent post about the Apple iOS7 Guide. Then, if ready to download, allow ample time as it is a big download and simultaneous downloads have caused a few school servers to crash! So, theoretically, you should now be competent in the iOS7 world, right? If not, read on….

Make Use Of is a site that makes complicated things seem simple and they have come through again! According to them, since being on iOS7,  “If you find yourself fumbling with your iPhone to make a simple phone call, locate and launch an app, set a reminder or wake-up alarm then you’re probably not using Siri enough. If you still don’t know about Siri or you’re new to the iPhone or iPad, Siri allows you to issue voice commands on your device, saving you the trouble of all the tapping, typing, and searching by hand.”  See Do More With Siri Using the New iOS7 Siri Commands to learn more about getting Siri’s assistance.

I can’t help but notice that the Kindle Fire now has a Mayday button which brings “Amy” up on the screen to assist you in using your Kindle, and you just can’t help but like her! I know that many libraries use chat to assist patrons, but maybe we also need the face-to-face help! Something to think about…..

Image by Make Use Of. Retrieved online 11/8/13.
Image by Make Use Of. Retrieved online 11/8/13.
Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Students Talk About Their Digital Lives

Image Cuddling with multiple devices. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image Cuddling with multiple devices. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Common Sense Media released an interesting information graphic of students’ opinions about their digital lives. Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives is based on a survey of a little more than 1,000 U.S. students between the ages of 13 and 17. The survey addresses the following questions;

  • Intervals in which students text and use Facebook or Twitter
  • The preferred medium to communicate with friends and family
  • How communication tools are affecting friendships and family relations
  • How networking make students feel, reflective in their self concept
  • And so on…

Although the sample size is somewhat small,  it suggests that there is a love, hate relationship building between “digital natives” and social media.  Indicating that increased face time with devices does not necessarily equate to enjoyment or better relationships. Click here to download the full report.

Note: Teachers look for ways to engage students using social media in an effort to meet students where they are at, when they are there. However, this report emphasizes the importance of also maintaining face-to-face interactions. At a time when some students are on digital overload, educators can induce reflective time, “unplugged” into a student’s day; being mindful of how and when to incorporate social media in programming and/or curriculum development.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Live Broadcast: Tablet & Mobile Applications

Image by Mosi. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by Mosi. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

This coming month, American Libraries Live is talking about how to incorporate various devices into library services AND internal staff activity. Register to attend Tablets and Mobile Applications on Thursday, November 14th at 1 pm Central Time. Click here to register for this free broadcast.

Tip: Missed a past broadcast? Click here to view archived episodes.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Selecting Devices at Your School

Image by sidduz. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by sidduz. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Would you like help selecting the best devices for a specific grade level?

If your school services various devices, or if you are thinking about purchasing additional devices, this article may help. Edudemic posted a brief review of the following four technologies, 1) OS, 2) Netbook, 3) Notebook, and 4) Tablet.  Author David Matheson provides a brief overview with pros and cons of each type of device. Then, he links these uses to the general tasks needed at various grade levels. Click here to read the full article, How to Pick the Best Devices for Your Grade Level (August 2013.)