Sharing My Love of Reading Through Technology

Sharing My Love of Reading Through Technology

As an avid reader, one of my greatest challenges as a teacher and librarian is to win over those who say, “I hate reading.” I understand that in this day and age, there are so many things that are vying for a person's attention. Gaming, TikTok, sports, and the like offer instant entertainment value. While when I was growing up in a rural area of PEI, this type of tech and organized sport did not exist.  What I did have were wonderful teachers and librarians who gave me access to books and helped guide me with great mentor texts.  

I have noticed that students who dislike reading sometimes have difficulty reading.  They like to be read to but struggle to pick up a book themselves.  This generally comes to a head when other students have moved on to reading chapter books, and they are not academically ready to do so.  The lack of availability of high-interest, low-vocabulary books further complicates the issue.  Students want to fit in, and not stand apart from their peers, but books that allow them to do that generally are in short supply.  

Thanks to technology like “Epic Books” and “Raz Kids” that allow all my students to read and listen to text online, reading on the Chromebook has been an equalizer that everyone can benefit from. Stanfel states, "Digital libraries and platforms provide a vast array of resources that cater to different reading levels and interests.” (Stanfel, 2024). Epic Books is a digital library of recent popular book releases for students, while Raz-kids provides a variety of original fiction and non-fiction titles.  Epic does have a free school account, which can be accessed during school hours, however, Raz-kids does require a paid teacher subscription that allows the registration of 36 students. Some of the texts on Epic are also available in audiobooks, while Raz-kids has the ability to read aloud and highlight text as it is read or for the student to read independently. 

   

Audiobooks help those who struggle because “Listening to well-narrated stories enhances auditory processing skills, vocabulary, and comprehension. Audiobooks provide an alternative way for individuals to consume literature, especially those struggling with traditional text-based formats. Both platforms allow students to try out many different types of books and offer many other features, such as “audio narration, interactive quizzes, and engaging visuals. These elements capture the reader’s attention and provide a multisensory experience that enhances comprehension.” (Stanfel, 2024).  Epic and Raz-kids also incentivize students to earn badges or stars while they read. “Through engaging activities, challenges, and rewards, these games create an immersive learning environment that motivates children to read more. By transforming reading into a game, educators and parents can tap into the natural inclination of individuals to learn through play.”(Stanfel, 2024).

One final advantage  I have noticed is that because students mostly prefer to wear headphones while they read on the Chromebook, they are less likely to be distracted by noise around them. This is a strategy that I have used in other subjects with students who have trouble focusing.  They tend to be able to work independently for greater lengths of time. They are also more likely to use the Chromebook to access other technology they may need because using a Chromebook in class has been normalized for everyone.

References

Epic - Kids’ Digital Library. (2023, September 12). Unleash your kid’s imagination with epic. YouTube. https://youtu.be/t_-Je4-hN84?si=-CZ-gnfZ3LP3hiEx 

Learning A-Z. (2019, March 14). Raz-Kids Overview. YouTube. https://youtu.be/EDzDTeoCbk4?si=H46a87pPtrZoVWbt 

Stanfel, A. (2024, March). Beyond the Page: Tech-infused Strategies for Building Strong Reading Foundations. Value-Driven Playground Equipment for Commercial, Preschool and Churches | Turn-key Solutions. https://www.creativesystems.com/beyond-the-page-tech-infused-strategies-for-building-strong-reading-foundations/ 

 

Maker Space Madness for the Minimalist

 Maker Space Madness for the Minimalist

When exploring something new, seeing examples of what others have done has always been the best way for me to learn.  I look forward to seeing others' visions, which always help me expand my view of what something could look like. I can become easily overwhelmed when I see the grandness of what others produce and start to doubt how I will be able to accomplish this, too.  For this reason, the resources I have chosen are for librarians who are beginners when it comes to creating maker spaces.

1-How to Start a Makerspace When You’re Broke 

Diana Rendina is the author of the article "How to Start a Makerspace When You’re Broke".  She believes that the idea that you need a lot of money to start a maker space is a myth.  Many everyday items, such as toilet paper rolls, cardboard, buttons, etc., can be collected and used in maker spaces.  An important aspect is to share your vision with others so they might come on board and support you, either with volunteer hours or donations of items to be used in the maker space. Other ways to gain supplies may be through crowdfunding or reusing items that are already available in your building.

2-Makerspace for Little or Nothing 

Gweneth Jones ( The Daring Librarian), the author of the article "Makerspace for Little or Nothing,” advocates that less is more when it comes to maker space.  Even after seven years of using maker spaces in her library, she shies away from making large purchases such as 3D printers or robotics.  She encourages those who don’t have the physical space to start out slowly using AV carts to do projects such as origami or Lego, which can then be stored away until next time.  

3-Elementary Library Makerspace Resources

Collette Jakubowicz is the owner and founder of Mrs J in the library.  This site provides options for those who are interested in purchasing makerspace resources, lists of wonderful blogs to follow, and free makerspace resources.

    To conclude this resource list, I wanted to reiterate the importance of seeing examples of what others have done. As I mentioned, this has always been the best way for me to learn, and I am sure this is the case for many other teachers and librarians. These tasks can be extremely daunting to start without guidance. With the help of the online communities I am a part of and the resources I have been taught to consult from other teachers around me, these projects have become much more approachable and accessible to educators in general. Although resources may be limited in some areas when it comes to creating a Maker Space, creative ideas online will never be in short supply!

References

Graves, C. (2023, February 10). Elementary makerspace resources. Mrs. J in the Library. https://mrsjinthelibrary.com/elementary-makerspace-resources/ 

Jones, G. (2019, April 13). Makerspace for little or nothing. Makerspace for Little or Nothing. https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2019/04/makerspace-for-little-or-nothing.html 

Rendina, D. (2016, February 22). How to start a makerspace when you’re broke. Knowledge Quest. https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/start-makerspace-youre-broke/

Make Way For the Maker Space!

As our libraries increasingly adapt to future visions and future needs of the communities they serve, I have been intrigued by the addition of maker spaces along with our traditional shelves of books.  As someone who has always been interested in crafting and DIY, the prospect of these opportunities excites me. However, as the sole librarian at our school, this also overwhelms me. Although the video attached to this post has provided me with insight into the benefits of a maker space, I remain slightly hesitant. As I’ve seen our Public Libraries become more focused on lending objects other than books, a part of me is saddened and wonders if we are adding these items simply to encourage clients to enter the library or if they encourage literacy just as books do.

After doing some research, I realized that, as Buffy J. Hamilton states, “a maker space culture supports the mission of libraries to enable lifelong learning and to support knowledge creation in their communities” (Hamilton, 2014).  Maker spaces allow learning to take place creatively and also follow academic standards.  Education must not only be about the curriculum but also leave space for exploration of shared interests with others.  Feeling connected to others can be a strong motivation for learning. It is a space where everyone can feel that their contributions matter.

Maker spaces also allow students to learn in multiple ways.  Often, we forget that learning happens not only in the classroom.  Following kindergarten, teaching styles often move away from the play-based or inquiry model to a more formal setting.  Allowing for multiple styles of learning is beneficial for all our students.  It also allows students to be in charge of their own learning rather than simply absorbing what is in front of them. 

One drawback of maker spaces is, of course, finding funding.  Many of our libraries are underfunded, and librarians must fundraise to continue adding new collections to our shelves.  Supplies for maker spaces cost money and will most likely need to be replenished with use.  Librarians are often tasked with thrifting or additional fundraising to meet the needs of these spaces.  As a new librarian, this is what has stopped me from building these spaces in my library.  I am still struggling to find the time to cover all the bases in my library as it now stands. I see the value in these spaces, so I need to remind myself to start small and continue building on this aspect of my library as time passes.  

Working collaboratively with teachers and experts in the field can help you start small and build on their experience to create a wonderful maker space in your library.  Try checking out some of the following blogs to get you started on your maker space journey! Check out the following resources on this topic: 

• How to Start a Classroom Makerspace from Scratch

• Library As Makerspace

• Makerspace Starter Kit 

References

Hamilton, B. J. (2014, June 21). Growing Learning Communities Through School Libraries and Makerspaces-Creating, Constructing, Collaborating, Contributing. The Unquiet Librarian. May 19, 2024, https://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/growing-learning-communities-through-school-libraries-and-makerspaces-creating-constructing-collaborating-contributing/