Tag Archives: school

CMLE Interview: Book Trailers in the Making

Deb Disher, Media Specialist
Deb Disher, Media Specialist

Last week QR Codes were CMLE’s featured Recommended Ed. Tech Tool & App. This week we interviewed Debbie Disher, Media Specialist at Holdingford Area Public Schools. Debbie is incorporating these little black boxes in a very unique way!

Book Trailers: Take one and ACTION!

Q: How are you using QR codes?
A: At Holdingford Public Schools we are creating QR Codes that hold book trailers so students will be able to access additional information about a book using their iTouch or iPad. We are currently focusing on content appropriate for 5-6th graders. In the high school we are thinking about using QR codes to create short how-to videos for students using their Edline account or certain databases.

Q: What sparked the idea?
A: I had been reading articles. I also heard about QR codes at a couple of conferences I had recently attended.

Q: Your goal was to…
A: Get students excited about books (new and old titles) that they might not check out otherwise.

Q: What resources have you been using?
A: For the trailers, we use Google search and YouTube in which the bulk of the trailers have been done by other students. The QR Codes themselves are generated using a free site made available by QR Stuff.

Q: Any challenges?
A: Finding quality book trailers.
A: The process from start to finish is more time consuming then we anticipated.
A: Finding unique ways to display the QR Codes themselves. We are planning on placing them on the back of the books by the check-out bar code and designing a display for the wall that can be posted in the library.

Debbie’s question(s) for other CMLE Members?
Submit your responses in the comment section below.
Q: How have others incorporated QR codes in their libraries and/or teaching?
Q: Are kids really using them?

Cultivate a Love for Reading!

Bookworm2.CollegeDegrees360
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Many book lovers could have easily contributed to this blog from Edutopia,       “Ten Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Students”

The post was written by a teacher who lists 10 suggestions for how, regardless of the subject, a person can engage students and nurture an appreciation and ultimately a love of reading.

Then the question remains: Teachers and administrators, what do you do towards this end? Parents, how do you encourage this with your own children?

Researching Technology Use at Home and in Class

LogosIn collaboration with College Board and National Writing Project, PEW Research published a study this February pertaining to the impact of technology at home and in the classroom. Data was collected both online and through in-person focus groups with teachers (middle and high school) and students (grades 9-12).

The survey finds that today digital tools (internet, eBooks, cell phones, etc.) are widely used in classrooms and when completing assignments at home.  However, teachers with lower income students still face additional challenges when introducing these tools into their classrooms…read more=>”

Feb. 27th is Library Legislative Day

Please note that the deadline to register for the Minnesota Library Legislative Day is Feb. 17. Activities of this event are shown below. Contact me at papost@stcloudstate.edu for additional information.

Codes in parentheses below are AC=Augsburg College and JC=Judicial Center, Capitol

Tuesday, Feb 26  5:00-6:00 pm      Registration and Reception, (AC)

Tuesday, Feb 26   6:00-7:00 pm     Briefing, Marshall Room, (AC)

 

Wednesday, Feb 27    7:30-8:30 am      Register &Breakfast,(JC)Wednesday, Feb 27    8:30-9:30 am      Briefing, Room 230,(JC)

Wednesday, Feb 27    9:30-12:00      Visit with your representatives

Wednesday, Feb 27   12:00-1:00 pm     Lunch and Debriefing, (JC)

 

 

More information will be posted on the MLA website soon.