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Technology

Tech Smackdown!

Aug 4th, 2011
by pollyalida.
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The 2011 Carol A. Kearney Leadership Retreat was held earlier this week at Cornell. What an amazing event. I had no idea this retreat had been going on for 20 years.

The event, put on by the NYLA Section on School Libraries, was organized by Sara Kelly Johns & Christine Hatami – with the help of many other school librarians from around the state.  This year’s theme was “Think, Create, Share and Grow: Transforming Your School Library Leadership” and included 2 days of terrific presentations and discussions. Check out the wiki for details on the topics covered and links to many valuable resources.

Chris Harris & I had fun running the Tech Smackdown. We had about 20 brave folks who volunteered to shared their favorite apps and tools with the group. The evening of fun continued with an auction to raise scholarship funds – much fun was had by all and over $2300 was raised!

Making the Most of Teachable Moments

May 9th, 2011
by pollyalida.
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Some great tools and ideas highlighted in this presentation by Heidi Steiner of Norwich University. Adding a number of them to my list of things to check out.

Making the Most of Teachable Moments
View more presentations from Heidi Steiner

Transliteracy

Oct 1st, 2009
by pollyalida.
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Transliteracy - a name for something we’ve all been working with for some time now. Perhaps not a new name, but new to me. I first heard it from Bobbi Newman’s blog post: Libraries need to focus on transliteracy, where she provides this definition:

Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital social networks. (Transliteracy.com)

The term resonates so much for me, I started using it in conversations and training sessions immediately. Bobbi has put together a terrific slide show that builds on her blog post and put together a page of resources. Check it out and think about how you’re helping your customers and students become transliterate.

Libraries and Transliteracy
View more presentations from Bobbi Newman.

Live session: RSS widgets and Personalised Home Pages – Sept 16, 2009

Sep 15th, 2009
by pollyalida.
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Classroom 2.0 Live has been sponsoring a great series of free on-line technology sessions for educators with Sue Waters. Called the Beginner Series, there’s lots of information for you even if you aren’t a beginner. I hope to have time to tune in on Wednesday night. Hope you do too!

Wed September 16, 2009 8pm–9pm (Eastern)
Where: Elluminate link- http://tinyurl.com/cr20live
What:  RSS widgets and Personalised Home Pages
In this third session on RSS we continue the discussion by looking at all the different ways you can use RSS widgets on websites and check out Personalised Homepages like NetVibes, PageFlakes and iGoogle for managing class information.

And make sure you check out all the other great programming, conversations and training on the Classroom 2.0 calendar – truly a terrific resource!

Emerging Mobile Technologies for K-12 Classrooms – Chat session, Sep. 3, 11 AM

Aug 27th, 2009
by pollyalida.
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gadgetsThis looks like it will be an interesting discussion of mobile technologies in schools.  Join in the free chat session at the Education Week website.  No special software required.

Because of their low cost and ubiquity, an increasing number of educators are considering the use of mobile devices, such as cellphones, netbooks, GPS systems, digital recorders, and MP3 players, in the classroom. When harnessed properly, supporters say, these devices can open up new educational opportunities for students. But some critics feel such devices are more of a distraction or annoyance than a learning tool. Our guests will discuss which mobile technologies are best for the classroom, when they should or should not be used, and which emerging mobile technologies will have a significant impact on K-12 education.

(via: Mobile Libraries)

(image courtesy limowreck666)

K-12 Hot Topic Technology Webinars

Aug 9th, 2009
by pollyalida.
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Check out these free webinars from Project Tomorrow® and T.H.E. Journal for those interested in K-12 IT issues:

  • Aug 19 Mobile Devices within Instruction    
  • Sep 16 Digital Content    
  • Oct 14 Web 2.0 and Education    
  • Oct 28 21st Century Skills    
  • Nov 11 Top 10 Trends in Student Learning with Technology    
  • Dec 2 Internet Safety
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