Check it out . . .

Hooray! I am going to be a guest blogger for Follett in the coming months. Want to learn more about library management and QR codes? Check out my post, "How to Use QR Codes in Your School Library."

Lovey, Dovey: Book Trailers

Sadly, my theatrics don't ALWAYS sell a book to a student. I sing. I dance. I make the funny voices. Sometimes, it's just not enough.

Book Trailers, you make my life a bit easier. Book Trailers--you are my new friends. BTs, you help me capture the entire crowd. I kind of love you. 

And now, I can put you in a playlist. I can make your URL into a QR code. I can share you. Over and over. With sweet glee.

(Yes, I'm a total geek.)

Still Learning . . . WEMTA Inspirations

Technology, you fickle beast, you change so frequently. Just when I think I've got one facet of your character nailed down, you go and develop another. 

~ ~ ~ ~

Nope. Not me. I don't feel that way. (Okay, Twitter had me on edge for a stretch. I was not getting it. I'm now Twittified. No worries.)

It's a good thing I love a tough puzzle. Nothing pleases me more than discovering something, learning about it, and figuring out how to use it! New (to me) uses for technologies inspire me. At WEMTA, I learned about using technologies for unintended projects. Creativity knows no bounds when grown-ups and students alike are given a range of choices. 

I've been trying this out in the library, giving students a scavenger hunt "Mission" and asking them to "spy" on the library stacks. Then, I charge them with providing me "evidence" using an App of their choice. I've ended up with a variety of app use: Camera, iMovie, Notes, Explain Everything, and more. Good times, happy kids, great outcomes.

Here's a CREATIVE post from "The Busy Librarian" about using programs other than Power Point to make presentations: The Busy Librarian: So Long, Powerpoint. I love this post. I love that Matthew Winner eulogized Power Point. If only I were clever enough to think this stuff up!

What's the point of this post? Try new things! Winner inspired me to try out PowToon. I'm now a convert. I've got a PowToon in the queue for a presentation I'm giving next week.

Wowsa . . . it was good.

WEMTA's annual conference was held this year in Madison, Wisconsin--beautiful place. Learning in Monona Terrace, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was a pleasure. I especially enjoyed the photography exhibit depicting Wright as he explained organic architecture.

Photo from Liberty Lady

Madison is a walking town. I walked all over every chance I had.

Photos by Liberty Lady

So, what did I take away from this conference? Here is lesson #1:

Scott Meech spoke about Downers Grove 58's implementation of the SAMRi initiative and their transition to 1:1 computing. That's 9000 iPads in the hands of students! Wow.

If you haven't read about the different levels of technology implementation--you must. SAMR, designed by Ruben Puentedura, levels the playing field among teachers; encouraging reflection and meaningful implementation.

Photo from Downers Grove Art Teachers

WEMTA, Here I come . . .

I'm psyched to attend the 2013 Wisconsin Education Media & Technology conference held in our state's capital, Madison, Wisconsin. It's a great opportunity to meet WEMTA friends and learn more about incorporating technologies in our school.

PLUS, I get to hear keynote speaker Lauren Myracle. Try not to be too jealous. Lauren is the author of these beauties and more:

Images from Penguin.com

THEN, I get to have lunch with LINDA SUE PARK. Wowser! These are some of Linda's gems:

Images from lindasuepark.com