By Sarah Ludwig | Can students learn online skills from a teacher? More and more, I’m thinking the answer is no. Countless times, I see high school students watch a YouTube video to better understand a concept that was already covered in class. It’s how kids learn. When they work independently, they apply and therefore retain the skills. Yet we can’t turn students loose on social media without some discussion of responsibility. Character education is as important as Internet research. We have a charge to cover copyright, fair use, effective communication, and privacy. But how? Without real-world consequences, how will students understand that they really can’t use someone else’s image without asking? Do we teach our students these topics for the sake of plausibility? We teach them as is our duty, in other words, but they can choose whether or not to listen?
ALA TechSource Blog
By Patrick Hogan | Thanks to Rebecca K. Miller, Heather Moorfield-Lang, and Carolyn Meier for today's workshop, Part 1 of Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services. The slides are on slideshare and embedded below. The presenters also keep the Tumblr on iPads and Tablets in Libraries, where they shared Recommended Reading for today's presentation. Watch that space for the App Guide in advance of next week's presentation of Part 2.
By Caitlin A. Bagley | Choosing the right 3D Printer for your makerspace is a big financial commitment, and one that you’ll likely have to live with for some time. Below are a few of the more common machines with pros and cons to help you make your decision.
By Marshall Breeding | In a major shift in strategy reflecting a more collaborative style of its new ownership and management, Innovative interfaces has withdrawn the lawsuit it filed against OCLC in July 2010. SkyRiver Technologies, the sister company and lead plaintiff of the suit, has been absorbed into Innovative Interfaces, which will integrate the SkyRiver cataloging service into its product offerings.
By Jason Griffey | I've seen some interesting alternative inputs technologies that will be coming to computer users this year. I'll share video demos of two that I’m most excited about are: the Leap Motion and the Myo armband.
By Patrick Hogan | Nicole Hennig will return this Friday, March 1, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, for a fresh look at how publishers are using the iPad platform to create a new kind of book. Not the straight text, you’ll read in a Kindle app, these books mix elements of film, videogames, and social media to create a new immersive experience for readers. Nicole’s webinar this past summer was a hit. Register for Introducing Books as iPad App, and:
By Patrick Hogan | Yesterday, Sue Polanka of No Shelf Required presented Part 2 of her workshop on ebooks and libraries: Establishing an eReader Lending Program. Below are her slides. Join us in a few weeks for the workshop Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services, with Rebecca Miller, Carolyn Meier, and Heather Moorefield-Lang.
By Caitlin A. Bagley | On February 14, I talked with Jeff Sturges, Founder and Conductor of the Mt. Eliot Makerspace in Detroit, about makerspaces and libraries. Jeff and the Mt. Eliot Makerspace collaborate with the Detroit Public Library on their HYPE teen makerspace, featured in ALA TechSource’s December makerspace webinar. Here are highlights from the interview.
By Patrick Hogan | Sue Polanka just wrapped up Part 1 of her workshop Integrating E-Books and E-Readers into Your Library. Loads of resources in her slides! See below. Join us for Part 2, on February 21 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.
By Daniel A. Freeman | UPDATE: Initially we put an incorrect link in for the recording. This has now been fixed and we apologize for the inconvenience. The 2012 ALA TechSource Midwinter Tech Wrap-up was a huge success. We had great presentations from our panel, and great participation from our audience.