Grading the Digital School: Khan Academy Blends Its YouTube Approach With Classrooms

Grading the Digital School: Khan Academy Blends Its YouTube Approach With Classrooms: At least 36 schools nationwide are combining teacher-led lessons with computer-based lectures and exercises using a software program based on Salman Khan’s popular YouTube lessons.

16 New Library Tech Stories You May Have Missed

16 New Library Tech Stories You May Have Missed:

This past month has seen a lot of new library technology articles and blog posts. Here are 16 of them that you won’t want to miss. Please list any other recent library tech stories in the comments!!

E-Books



1. A Guide to Ebook Purchasing – American Libraries


2. Libraries Ramp Up e-Book Lending- USA Today


3. The Amazon Lending Library is NOT the Library Apocalypse – Agnostic, Maybe


4. 5 e-Book Collections with Over 100,000 Free e-Books – iLibrarian


5. Amazon, Overdrive, and Other Reasons to Be Pissed – Agnostic, Maybe
   



Mobile



6. 20 iPad Apps Librarians Should Download – Part 1 – iLibrarian


7. 20 iPad Apps Librarians Should Download – Part 2 – iLibrarian


8. 9 Resources for Marketing on Mobile Social Networks – iLibrarian



Technology Trends



9. October Library Conference Roundup: 25 Stellar Presentations – iLibrarian


10. Open Access Publishing with Drupal – Code4Lib


11. The Future of School Libraries E-Book – Kristin Fontichiaro and Buffy Hamilton


12. 5 Amazing Free Data Visualization Tools – iLibrarian



Cloud Computing



13. 21 Useful Cloud Computing Resources for Librarians – iLibrarian



Digitization & Archives



14. Create a Catalog for Your Personal Digital Assets – iLibrarian


15. National Archives Digitization Tools Now on GitHub – NARAtions


16. 9 Sources for Historical Images, Documents, Videos, and Audio – Free Technology for Teachers

100 Notable Books of 2011 - NYTimes.com

100 Notable Books of 2011 - NYTimes.com

STUDENTS RISE TO OCCASSION

Unphased by the fact that Representative Bernie O’Neill was unable to visit our library as was scheduled yesterday, our high school students went on with the show and dazzled administrators, Board members and ME with the amazing ways they use technology and digital resources.  O’Neill was invited as part of the Legislator @ Your Library Campaign to bring awareness to the importance of school libraries and to advocate for more financial support and state requirements for school libraries and staffing. Due to a last minute emergency however, he cancelled just moments before his scheduled visit.  But that didn’t stop Mr. Giorgi’s Journalism students from putting on a fantastic presentation beginning with a video they created about the library and then giving participants an opportunity to visit with the students to see how they are utilizing Google apps in their classes as well as the online tools available on the library website.  Some students were also on hand to show-off our beautifully renovated courtyard as well our use of QR codes with book displays. 

Followed by the session with Journalism students, our administrators and Board members had an opportunity to see our START mentors work with their adult students. START – Students Teaching Adults Resources and Technology is a collaborative project with the public library which allows older adults to learn basic computer skills.  This was the second session in which the adults were learning how to set-up a Gmail account and learn the basics of email.  The adults are so excited to be learning from these young people, but it goes much beyond the teaching of technology.  It’s an opportunity for young and old to form a special relationship and to learn about each other.  One of the adults emailed her mentor a picture of her new granddaughter, while another emailed a picture of himself in his younger years as an actor in New Hope.   

At the end of yesterday’s session, one of the adults approached me, earnestly grabbing my arm and said “This means the world to me…you have no idea”.  And just as I was composing this post, one of the high school students came to me to tell me that she’d like to set-up some additional sessions with her adult student because he needs some extra help and that she was only too happy to oblige.  Nothing could convince me more that this is the start of a beautiful thing!

The Best Kindle Fire Apps: A Starter Kit

The Best Kindle Fire Apps: A Starter Kit:

Jill Duffy at PC World puts together a list of The Best Kindle Fire Apps: A Starter Kit. These are 16 well-reviewed applications which will get you up and running with your new Kindle Fire.