Beyond simple search: The benefits of topic browsing in library databases

Laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning by building essential research skills begins in the library and extends to the classroom and beyond

Key points: Library databases, packed with rich and reliable content, are more than simply resources for students to reference when a research paper is due. They are also valuable teaching tools. Databases are essential for helping middle and high school students understand the value of research, appreciate the importance of … Read More

Digital citizenship, digital literacy, and education

The Oshkosh Area School District is actively addressing digital citizenship with students in the district's elementary, middle, and high schools

Click Here to Discover Some Innovative Ideas for School Libraries Editor’s note: This article on digital citizenship in schools originally appeared on CoSN’s blog and is reposted here with permission. Part of a Blog Series from the Emerging Technologies Committee Leveraging Technology for Improving School Wellness and Safety Sometimes it feels … Read More

4 ways library media specialists lead digital transformations in districts

Let your library media specialists lead your school’s digital transformation through edtech coordination, motivation, information, and education

Click Here to Discover Some Innovative Ideas for School Libraries During the pandemic era of “emergency teaching,” school systems across my state and around the country made deep investments in edtech resources.  However, as we move into what some call the post-pandemic era, education stakeholders are searching for strategies to … Read More

Beyond the bookshelves: 3 ways school libraries have evolved to meet students’ needs

Changes in school libraries reflect the broader educational shift towards preparing students for the demands of the 21st century

Key points: School libraries have undergone a significant shift over the years, adapting to changes in technology, education philosophies, and the dynamic needs of students. Once simply a quiet space to check out books, libraries have evolved to provide students with a holistic and interactive learning experience.  Over the past … Read More

How robots and our school’s buddy program bring computer science to life

Pairing kindergarten and grade 5 students together to code and play with robots turns into a rich computer science experience for everyone

Coding and robots are both natural tools for encouraging collaboration in the classroom. At Sewickley Academy, we have taken that collaboration to the next level by having Grade 5 students step into mentoring roles for our kindergarteners who are just being introduced to computer science. Here’s how we did it. … Read More

Bringing robots to early education classrooms in rural Nevada

Students from underrepresented backgrounds need extra encouragement to try computer science and reap benefits from computing skills

As part of our educational outreach to the community, PBS Reno createdCuriosity Classroom for preschool through 4th-graders. The program, which is free to schools and districts, uses on-air, online, and print resources to help parents, caregivers, and childhood educators prepare children for success. As we were researching trends in STEAM … Read More

How computer science education bridges the digital divide

Students from underrepresented backgrounds need extra encouragement to try computer science and reap benefits from computing skills

Amid the havoc that the pandemic wreaked on our lives, there were important lessons to be learned. It proved that people skilled with technology could navigate and succeed, and that many of the potential problems of the future could be solved by technology. Many institutions and people who embraced technology … Read More

4 ways to build engineering into your curriculum

By bringing engineering into our classrooms, we encourage our students to see the mechanics of the world around them

Engineering is arguably one of the most useful and relevant subjects in our schools today. Its impact on our world cannot be overstated. Engineers are the ones who help humanity reach the moon, explore the depths of the ocean, assist in the treatment of serious illnesses, and even design many … Read More

How we use robots and art to make meeting computer science standards fun

A library media specialist shares lesson plans for creating exciting, multidisciplinary STEM learning for 1st- and 2nd-grade students

Key points: After the state of New Jersey revised its computer science standards in 2020, I was part of a professional learning community tasked with helping educators in all subjects understand the computer science standards and incorporate them into their classrooms. Our group came from all over the state, representing … Read More

5 helpful hacks for managing a STEM classroom

STEM classrooms require skilled management to keep students focused on their tasks

Key points: Every classroom is a busy place, but STEM-specific classrooms are built on collaboration, communication, and hands-on inquiry. Things are bound to be extra noisy and energetic. This isn’t a bad thing–it’s “the sound of learning,” as a coworker of mine once put it! However, it does mean that … Read More