Technology in the Library

As an elementary school librarian, I have the joy of reading to students aloud, from kindergarten to grade 5. There is nothing better than looking up at my audience and seeing their enraptured faces when I am reading a particularly exciting part of a story. It is even better when the bell rings, and all of my students yell, "Nooooo". That's the power of good literature. Children will hang on every word and want more. With the advent of the iPad, I was thinking of ways I might utilize technology in the library and more specifically, my read-alouds. It is not a time nor place where technology easily fits in, or should. But, I discovered book trailers! There are some wonderful, engaging book trailers available on Youtube for viewing. I now choose ones that I know my students will love and I play the trailer before I read the story. We discuss if the book lived up to our expectations we developed from viewing the trailer. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. But always, the children are invested in the story even more after watching the trailer. Mo Willems is one author that has very entertaining book trailers. He's a favorite!

Intro to Alan November

   Oh my goodness! So much I don't know about technology. I really feel ancient compared to everyone around me who is so much more knowledgeable about computers. Yet, reading the Preface and Introduction to Alan November's book, Empowering Students With Technology, I feel certain that it is a powerful, motivating, and essential tool for today's students.
  What I found fascinating was the General Motors tidbit (p.2) where GM spent more money than any other private business on technology, to find that the result was a lowering of the quality of cars. What does that say about technology? Or, what does that say about people? To me it says, faster is not always better. There is no denying the allure of technology for students and the motivation it seems to perpetuate. It is a good tool but it is just that, a tool.