Blog Post 3 How Technology can be Incorporated in the School Library and Classroom

     Technology use and the skills it promotes is a vital part of student learning today. It should be incorporated in the library and classrooms alike. The article read described how a public school librarian infused technology in her library. She gave specific examples that will be highlighted in this post.

     One main point the librarian made was to note that it was a process, which started first with funding through grant writing and constant request to administration. It happened gradually not overnight. She also pointed out technology is constantly changing the librarian needs to keep up with the changes. The author noted the importance of the library as a place of fun and learning with lots of flexibility.

     Another important point was the importance of differentiated instruction. Being aware of the learning styles as well as the levels of your patrons is important. She uses several approaches to teaching lessons in the library, each reinforcing yet accommodating different learning styles. Websites, interactive whiteboard activities, videos and games are all things included in her teaching strategy. One of the author's favorite activities is a library lingo vocabulary game. This is played through a presentation teaching library vocabulary such as various literary awards like Newbery and other important terms students need to know in order to navigate the library. This whole group activity is followed up with an interactive whiteboard game in which students work in groups to play.

     Another key point the librarian spoke about was the need to provide activities in which students have hands on experiences. This includes creating videos that provide learning for others. One activity she described was having a grade draw pictures about respect and then they recording it to create a video. Another activity is teaching the students how the library is organized in order for them to help keep it clean and to stay organized. The interactive whiteboard is used to assess the student's knowledge and then to award them a certificate of completion noting this skill obtained.

     One strategy learned from this article I plan to implement is to use technology to differentiate instruction. This is so important but so often left out of the lesson plans. I like the authors multi faceted approach to teaching a lesson incorporating videos for the visual learning, hands on activities for the kinesthetic, and songs for the auditory learners. The author tailored activities to individual needs as well. The other technology that I plan to incorporate in the library is to design lesson specific activities for the interactive whiteboard to make a game or fun activity for reinforcing the knowledge learned. This as been a tool readily available, but not used to its fullest. I think the authors use of this tool helps to create a fun learning through game experience that is perfect for the library setting. I especially will remember the author's description of the library as a place of flexibility, fun and learning.

References

Mashriqi, K. (2011). Implementing Technology and Gaming Lessons in a School Library. Knowledge Quest, 40(1), 24-28.