In the article “The Power of Technology: Unleashing the Superhero in Each Learner”, the authors explain how technology and multimedia tools can be used to hook students into learning. The authors point out that with new state and Common Core standards, librarians need to use technology tools to extend students’ learning in order for students to become critical thinkers (Lamb & Johnson, 2012). The current trend in education is to differentiate learning through the use of Web 2.0 tools. Students learn more when they feel in charge of their own learning. One point the authors make is that librarians use technology to engage students in reading for fun and learning, thus fostering a love of literacy and life-long learning. The article outlines ways that librarians can organize tools and resources relevant to students’ needs and interests, so when students are researching topics they do not become bombarded with information (Lamb & Johnson, 2012). Librarians need to be involved with the presentation of resources and the process of learning for students. Another point the authors make is that librarians can use multimedia tools and websites to offer choices for how students can create a product to demonstrate and apply what is being learned. The authors explain that there are interactive tools and websites that students can use in every subject and curriculum area to challenge themselves as thinkers and problem solvers. In a final point, the authors further explain that technology does not need to be difficult for the teachers and librarians to incorporate it in their lessons plans. By using multimedia tools, librarians are engaging and igniting students’ imaginations. Using STEM experiments, students get to apply technology to solving real world problems, thus making connections relevant to their own learning (Lamb & Johnson, 2012). Today’s learners are very experienced when it comes to using technology and like pushing buttons so why not develop this experience into a passion for learning.
After reading this article, I immediately felt empowered by all the many ways that I could incorporate technology and student learning in the library. One idea that came to me was the idea of creating an infographic to introduce specific research topics or curriculum concepts that students learning about. Using an infographic to portray details about historical figures would give students the main facts about a particular figure, so that the students could have a jumping off point when they start their own research. I liked the idea of using storytelling websites to help students with reading and writing skills. In my district, language arts and reading revolve around genre studies. Through storytelling websites, students could listen to or read stories or books from a particular genre and then write their own example of the genre. Students could then tell share their stories through podcasts posted on the library website or blog. Younger students could illustrate stories in one program or simply draw pictures and use Voice Thread to record their stories. It seems that there are an abundant number of tools that librarians can use to spark students’ learning and imagination. As a librarian, I can expose students to a variety of tools and help the students’ ideas come to fruition.
References
Lamb, A., & Johnson, L. (2012). The power of technology: Unleashing the superhero in each learner. Teacher Librarian, 40(2), 61-66, 71. Retrieved from: http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2087/docview/1271626546?pq-origsite=summon
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