Digital Tools for School Librarians

The Universal Design for Learning is a framework of instructional guidelines that will help teachers plan and implement lessons and curriculum that is accessible to all types of learners. As we discover more about how students learn, the UDL helps educators align this purpose with classroom instruction. As a classroom teacher, I am including many of these guidelines already. As a reading language arts teacher, one of the most impactful guidelines I have implemented in my classroom is the ability to recruit interest in learning. I do this by providing students with choices regarding their independent reading books, classroom seating arrangement, book club members, and ways to show their learning. Another guideline that is apparent in my classroom is providing options for comprehension. Each of the components in this guideline are a large part of the curriculum I teach (comprehension and analytical strategies). Students have many opportunities throughout the school year to see these stra...

Podcasts are quickly becoming a way for people to learn and share information. This is especially important in the world of library science, where we rely on collaboration and sharing of ideas throughout the library community. As a professional librarian, I can see myself creating and listening to podcasts that pertain to particularly important and interesting topics within the library science world.  Podcasts can also be created by students to talk about library events, authors, books they enjoy, studying tips, and more! By allowing students to take part in such a useful and engaging form of creating, they will feel more connected to the program and more likely to support it in the future.  We tried out a few different podcast sites, and here's what we thought: Buzzsprout: Pros: User-friendly interface, great option for new podcasters, 90-day free trial, plans starting at $12/month, provides detailed analytics, allows you to schedule episodes in advance, automatic episode tra...

Comics have gotten a bad reputation over the years, but more and more research is pointing to the fact that comics can be read and created as a way to understand the world- just like any other type of media. I tried out three comic-creator websites that are free and safe to use. Here is what I learned: Fotojet (https://www.fotojet.com/features/misc/photo-comic.html) This site was a bit confusing to use- took some orienting to the editing tool. One click made a huge menu pop up, which got in the way of seeing the design. It was also a little tricky without an undo button. I accidentally deleted an entire frame, and I couldn’t get it back, which is why the last pane doesn’t have a border around the picture. Also, when I was finished creating, I clicked the wrong button (though I’m not sure which it was) and the site thought I was trying to leave. I could see this being a source of potential confusion and frustration for students, but I am also sure they would figure out how to navigate t...

  YouTube (section finished) YouTube can be more than just a place to get lost watching cute cat videos for hours. When used effectively, it can be a helpful tool when building, maintaining, and promoting the library program. As a future librarian, I wanted to see how other professionals are using this platform to support the goals of the library program. I visited three channels belonging to school librarians. Here is how they are using YouTube: @theunquietlibrary The most helpful videos here include lessons on properly citing sources when using them in academic writing. This is such a hard skill for students to tackle, and each of the videos is so clear and explains step-by-step how and why citations are created a certain way. There are many examples of this, but here’s a very helpful example: https://youtu.be/43XtUMnosNc Students would probably be most interested in the videos containing student opinions on books, technology apps, events and more. Not only are they some of the m...

As information becomes increasingly available only online, infographics can be a quick and easy way to get important information about the library program in the hands (and inboxes) of stakeholders. Infographics combine hard data with visuals to make numerical data easier to digest. When librarians present information through infographics, participation the library program could be increased. I tried a few infographic creators, and here is what I found: Easel.ly ($4 a month) Pros: Easy to choose a template and add/remove things from them, easy to join Cons: Some features only available with a paid subscription (downloading templates as files, etc.), only able to add videos from YouTube. Piktochart ($14 a month) Pros : Easy to choose a template and add/remove things from them, easy to join, lots of tips and assistance offered, has an option to present and record through website Cons: Some features only available with a paid subscription (downloading templates as files, etc.) Info...

Just like any technological or social advancement, social media comes with pros and cons. Many believe it to be the source of depression, anxiety, inattentiveness and more. However, when utilized for connecting readers, promoting the library program, offering online tools, and more, social media can be a great tool for librarians. So which one should you use for your library? I'll be looking at the big 3: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I've explored each one through the lens of how it could support the library program. Facebook Link to my Facebook School libraries are using Facebook for… Promoting book events and contests Showing how the library is utilized for school events, not just library events Showcases student work Sharing inspirational book quotes and author stories Sharing book lists, recommendations, and reviews Showcasing use of technology and digital learning tools in the library and classrooms Twitter Link to my Twitter Jim Lerman (@jimlerman) posts articles rel...