Posts

Communicating with Instant Messaging

-
Google Hangouts - The Instant Messenger You Didn't Know You Had Communication is one of the biggest adjustments we have to make in the new remote learning environment. Remote work is a hallmark of the business world and they have been using instant messengers for years—and with good reason.  Real-Time Communication : Instant messaging is the virtual equivalent of stopping by someone's desk to ask a question. If the person you need to talk to is online, you can instantly send and receive messages. Convenience : It's possible to take part in multiple conversations at once or to be working on something else at the same time you are communicating with a colleague. Saves Time : Email is time consuming—not only the time to compose, but waiting for a response (if you get one) and possibly asking follow-up questions. Instant messaging is more of a dialogue—short back-and-forth interaction between individuals or small groups. I'm a big fan of Google Hangouts , whic
Post a Comment
Read more

Distance Learning

-
Image
Distance Learning These are strange and stressful times. While none of us know exactly what distance learning will look like in Adams 12, as we think ahead to planning, I wanted to share some thoughts and remind you of our amazing online resources. **Please note that many of these resources will require usernames and passwords for off-campus access. Streaming Video Options: Learn 360 and Classroom Video on Demand  - Learn 360 and Classroom Video on Demand are two separate products accessed through the same link. Content includes full-length videos, video clips, audio files, and interactive activities. Both products offer options to add videos directly to Google Classroom , share links, or embed on a website. I haven't tried this yet, but I suspect you will need to provide off-campus credentials with anything you share, even through Google Classroom.  YouTube playlists - Did you know you can curate playlists within your YouTube account and share the playlist li
Post a Comment
Read more

The Role of the School Library in the 21st Century

-
Image
The Role of the School Library in the 21st Century If you're like me, you probably remember visits to the elementary school library to learn how to use the encyclopedia and other reference books. And what about that card catalog? It seems we've come a long way since print resources were king, but while the way we access information has changed, the core mission of the school library has not. We are doing ourselves and our students a disservice if we fall victim to the illusion that in the digital age finding information and doing research is easier than ever. Yes, information is more readily available, but the skills needed to critically evaluate the quality of resources is not. In 1997, a journalist named David Shenk published a book titled Data Smog . One idea he puts forth is that the sheer volume of information we encounter each day can be counterproductive. Rather than making it easier to find information, it is now harder to connect with the information we a
2 comments
Read more