I went to two different sessions explaining the use of the Google apps Google Forms and Google Drive. The presenter showed us how we could use the Google apps to teach and assess students. I've used many of the Google apps before, but I have never used Google Forms as part of my instruction. I was surprised at hoe easy it was to gather and analyze data once you have assessed with Forms. The second Google apps session I went to discussed Google Drive. What a great invention that is!
Next I went to two different sessions that focused on integrating information literacy and STEM. I learned different tools that were available online for online 3-D scanning, programming and printing. We have a 3-D printer at my school, and I started brainstorming how the media center can collaborate with our STEM lab. Another session, "The Student Makes a Discovery on Her Own: Four Tools to Fuel Independent Research for STEM Students" discussed how writing had a place in STEM subjects. My brain was already running from the previous session, and this session gave my brain fuel to keep going! This session discussed four tools to fuel independent research. As a media specialist I need to have STEM documents available to students. Popular Mechanics for Kids would be a great start to these resources!
Have you used Kahoot? I haven't, but a session explained how this online tool could enhance instruction. The presented discussed how he used Kahoot while teaching in a college library. Kahoot can also be used in a K-12 environment. Kahoot is something I can implement right away! Not only can I use this in my current classroom, but I can also use this when teaching library sessions. There are some restrictions to Kahoot, but it is very easy to use, fun, and interactive. Plus it provides immediate data for the students and teachers to see.
I learned how the presenters, who were majorly college professors. used the library to teach information literacy classes. The media specialist is more than a person that checks out books. The media specialist teaches how to use the information tools and skills that all of the other subject areas need. I can so this, too, at the media center with elementary students.
Overall, I learned that there are a lot of easily accessibly tools that help teachers promote informational literacy. Theses tools can be used at a college level, but they can also be adapted to the K-12 level as well. I"m very glad that I attended this conference because I learned new ideas, but more importantly it made me brainstorm more way to make the library a library commons.
