Check out this recording of a webinar conducted by David Loertscher and San Jose State University students, where they ‘describe the creation and implementation of real Virtual Learning Commons that turn a static library website into a giant and collaborative learning space at the center of teaching and learning in the school.’
To view/download the recording, click this link: the Blackboard Collaborate recording
Caitlin Tucker provides clear and easy explanations of ways to use the free Google Docs suite of apps with students and teachers, at http://catlintucker.com/2012/05/making-the-most-of-google-docs-drive/
H/T to Kevin Jarrett for the recommendations
"The P2PU School of Ed brings the model of open, community-based peer learning to professional learning for K-12 teachers. It's about hands-on learning driven by each educator's particular needs and classroom situations. It's about connecting, collaborating, and creating, not just reading or studying. All courses in this school are free, open-licensed (CC BY), and online. You can use the content in them for any purpose you like as long as you cite the source."
Go to https://p2pu.org/en/schools/school-of-ed-pilot/ to see what's being offered this summer!
“The Gale/Library Media Connection TEAMS Award program recognizes and encourages critical collaborations between teachers and media specialists to promote learning and increase student achievement. Nominations are evaluated based on demonstrated collaboration between media specialists and teachers, effective techniques that positively impact student learning and achievement, support received from school leadership, and ability for others to replicate this best practice.
All K-12 public and private schools in the United States and Canada are eligible to enter. Three winners will receive a $2,500 cash award, $500 of Gale products, a one-year subscription to Library Media Connection, and an Educator’s Professional Bookshelf (approximate value $500) from Linworth Publishing. For more information and application guidelines visit the Gale Schools website.”
Download this free poster created by Joyce Valenza and Gwyneth Jones for Library Media Connection outlining how School Librarians are an integral part of the teaching process: http://preview.tinyurl.com/TLsTeach
NJSL and LibraryLinkNJ are offering two dates and two locations for a free summer EBSCO Boot Camp for School Librarians. Pamela Erickson, Librarian and Implementation Specialist for EBSCO Publishing, will conduct distinctly different morning and afternoon hands-on training sessions, emphasizing Curriculum Integration, student interfaces and database content that supports research across the curriculum:
Register for the either the morning or afternoon sessions, or both, by clicking on the links below:
In order to give teens access to opportunities through technology, Best Buy seeks applications from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and public agencies that have tax-exempt status, including schools and libraries. Grant amounts will average $4000-$6000 and will not exceed $10,000.
For eligibility criteria and online application, see
http://www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com/community_grants.htm
SYNC Summer 2012: 2 free downloads each week from June 14 – Aug 22.
“Teens can get two free audiobook downloads each week this summer for ten weeks through SYNC, a joint venture between audiobook publishers and AudioFile Magazine. Each week, kids can listen to one popular young adult title paired with a classic that connects with its theme from the top audiobook publishers absolutely free. Downloads are in MP3 format, hosted by Overdrive, and are Mac and Windows compatible. Each audiobook will be available for download for only 7 days, but once downloaded can be listened to at any time.” (SLJ)
Titles included:
Get the promotional toolkit at http://www.audiobooksync.com/educators-librarians-bloggers/tool-kit/
“How would you use portable interactive technology to create collaborative lessons?”
Answer the question for a chance to win that same technology for your library.
Sponsored by Learning Resources, a manufacturer of education products, and hosted by WeAreTeachers, an online community. See http://www.weareteachers.com/about/apply-for-grant for details.
“Help celebrate the release of The Pirates! Band of Misfits by creating your own swashbuckling adventure and the pirate treasure could be yours! Enter the High Seas Animation Contest by uploading your own pirate-themed animation to the official page on SchoolTube before midnight on May 27th, for a chance to win a trip for two to a North American Animation Festival, the same software used to film The Pirates: Stop Motion Pro Studio HD, and more.”
Sponsored by ISTE, this contest is open to students ages 7-18 in K-12 schools.
See http://www.toolfactory.com/contests/index.php?page=jump for details