Posts

Empowering Students: Navigating Cyberbullying Together

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Anime girl in sweater tapping on cellphone, gray background. In today's digital age, students are not exploring an uncharted digital world. No, they're digital natives born into the technology they wield on their phones. They make TikToks, send Snapchats, and post carefully curated pics on Instagram ( trust me, they take ages to make their feed look effortless and carefree ). But while it's not an uncharted world, it is an overwhelming one. And in this ever-evolving digital landscape, cyberbullying is a very real concern. As aspiring school librarians, I believe we have the means to guide students through these challenges.  One concerning aspect highlighted in this week's articles is the underreporting of cyberbullying due to fear and normalization. Despite their familiarity with digital platforms, many students struggle to handle negative attention online. Faucher et al (2015) emphasize the fear of retaliation, which often silences victims. This fear perpetuates the

Microsoft Learning Tools for Adaptive Learning

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Floating Microsoft suite application logos. Microsoft outlook, PowerPoint, word, OneDrive, teams, excel.  For today's blog post, I want to introduce Microsoft Learning Tools , a versatile online resource that empowers educators to create inclusive and adaptive learning experiences for students of all abilities. Microsoft Learning Tools is not just a single tool, but a suite of tools integrated into various Microsoft applications, making it a powerful resource for adaptive learning.  Despite having such tools at their disposal, not a lot of people know about them! Locating and Accessing Microsoft Learning Tools Microsoft Learning Tools can be accessed through several Microsoft applications, including Word, OneNote, Outlook, and Edge. To use these tools, educators and students need a Microsoft account, which can be created for free. Once logged in, users can access Microsoft Learning Tools directly within these applications. The good news is that tons of schools have already incorpo

Exploring the Pedagogical Potential of Chromebooks and Ebook Readers in Modern Classrooms

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Anime-style classroom with fluttering white curtains. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, technology stands as a beacon of innovation, offering new avenues for learning and engagement. Two such technological marvels that have become integral parts of classrooms worldwide are Chromebooks and Ebook Readers. In this blog post, we will delve into the pedagogical functions of these devices, exploring how they align with the Replacement, Amplification, and Transformation (RAT) framework by Hughes, Thomas, and Scharber.

Bridging the Gap: AASL and ISTE Standards in Adolescent Literacies

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Hello, fellow learners! Today, we're diving into the world of adolescent literacies and how they intertwine with the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards. We'll be discussing an article by Jenna Spiering, titled "Engaging Adolescent Literacies with the Standards" . The article explores the dynamic relationship between school librarians, literacy instruction, and emerging adolescent literacies. This is a topic that interests me immensely, and a majority of my graduate research has been focused on adolescent literacies. But we won't just skim the surface today; we're going deep to explore how these standards compare, what sets them apart, and how they can collaborate harmoniously .  The AASL Standards: Unleashing Multimodal Literacies in School Libraries The AASL Standards are like the secret sauce that makes school libraries magical. They're all about making literacy learning