Tag Archives: News

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

TIES Conference Recap: A CMLE Scholarship

The following was submitted by a CMLE Scholarship recipient. 

Submitted by: Holly Pringle, Becker High School

 For a first-timer at the TIES conference, overwhelming isn’t a strong enough word.  I spent two and a half days taking in knowledge, meeting new people, commiserating about iOS devices, talking with vendors, and realizing how much I’ve learned about technology in my first three months as a media specialist…..and how very, very, very much I don’t know yet.

 The theme of the conference was “It’s Personal!  Transforming Pedagogy with Technology”, and transformative it was!  Sessions were offered for a plethora of needs & interests, and my only disappointment was that there were so many concurrent sessions, I had to choose not to see some sessions that looked like they’d be great. I hope the whole technology integration team from my school can join me next year and we can divide & conquer to get even more out of the many sessions offered, because each session offers something, even if it’s a little something, that can come back to our district and make an impact.

Working in an “Apple” district made me interested to talk with the folks from Apple regarding mega-management of iPads/iPods and iOS devices in general, which is something that we’re constantly trying to learn more about.  Evidently, many folks around here are trying to get some of the same questions answered, and it showed me that in Becker we’re going about things in the right way.  I also had the chance to see how other districts and teachers are using iPads and iPods in the classrooms for more than just substitution, but for true and deep learning with their kids.  The most eye-opening presentation of the conference for me involved a fourth grade teacher who showed off the kinds of work his kids had accomplished using various technologies.  I was blown away at what we can help kids create with an iPad.

In all, the conference was worthwhile for me on many levels, and I’m so thankful CMLE made it possible for me to attend.

School Media Specialist

What’s New in Children’s Literature Workshop Summary: A CMLE Scholarship

The following was submitted by a CMLE scholarship recipient.

Submitted by: DeAnn Redfield, St. Cloud Christian School 

Do you love children’s books and anxiously wait for each year’s new books to be announced? Are you looking for a great professional development opportunity to find out about new children’s books? Peggy Sharp’s program “What’s new in Children’s Literature and How to use it in your Program 2012” offered through the Bureau of Education & Research is highly recommended. The program includes an extensive resource handbook that contains annotated bibliographies of new children’s literature. The handbook has book sharing ideas, student activity resources, and “Top Ten Picks of the Year”.

Benefits of attending this seminar include previewing new children’s books, both fiction and nonfiction; learning about trends in delivery of stories and factual information such as e-readers, apps, trailers, and social networking sites; and exploring teaching strategies to help students get the most out of a book without destroying the joy of reading.

My library will benefit because I learned so much about new children’s books and instructional strategies to incorporate them into the school’s curriculum. Having a resource book to take with me is an added benefit. While I was learning about Peggy Sharp’s top ten books of the year, I made my own list of ideas to use in my library program. Librarians are encouraged to have a wish list of books to order if extra funds find their way into the budget. I am prepared with a list of twenty great books to add to my collection – Peggy’s favorites and my own.

More information about this event can be found at the following site: http://www.ber.org/seminars/CourseInfo.cfm?seid=BE22F1-STC

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Using Tablets for News

Pew Research Center reports that tablets are one of the fastest growing technologies ever. Though the iPad has only been available for a year and a half, already 11 percent of American adults report that they own an iPad. The publishing industry, sensing a huge opportunity in this new market, has begun pumping out apps to support the reading preferences and interests of this quickly growing market. Of the 11 percent of adults that own an iPad, roughly 53 percent say that they use the device every day to get their news. A full 79 percent of tablet users claim that they are now using the tablet for their news rather than using a desktop or laptop. Another interesting statistic is that 41 percent of iPad users say they enjoy reading books about the same in both print and on the tablet. Interested in finding out more? Check out Pew Research Center’s Infographic!

Check this out:

Districts Facing Referendums

KSTP did a story this week on the 131 school districts facing referendum votes. The 18 CMLE school districts I see listed include:

Albany, Big Lake, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, Delano, Foley, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Melrose, Milaca, North Branch, Paynesville, Princeton, Rocori, Royalton, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sartell, St. Michael-Albertville, and Upsala.

For details about each referendum, and to see a complete list, go to http://tinyurl.com/455yx9j

If your local school district is not listed, and should be, please share that information in the comments area. Thanks!

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Nomination Open for Minnesota Book Awards

Nominations for the 24th Annual Minnesota Book Awards are open now through December 9, 2011! Visit http://tinyurl.com/3vc6sq3 for more information or to nominate your favorite book of 2011! Keep in mind that the book must be written by a Minnesota resident, published in 2011, and fit into one of eight categories: Children’s Literature, General Nonfiction, Genre Fiction, Memoir & Creative Nonfiction, Minnesota, Novel & Short Story, Poetry, and Young People’s Literature.