iPads to Replace Textbooks?

     "There's an app for that," my first grader says in response to his older brother's question about the constellations. Fact is, there are apps for just about everything, and if there isn't, well, just wait a couple of days. With the development of more educational apps, state legislatures and educators are paying attention. The New York Times reports that schools are embracing the iPad. There is no doubt that the iPad can be as valuable, if not more valuable, in the educational context as it is for home or business use. It's user friendliness and touch screen applications make it an ideal tool for hands-on learning for even the youngest students. While iPads aren't cheep, considering the cost of numerous printed textbooks that frequently need to be replaced due to wear and tear or outdated information, the iPad's capability to be used as an e-reader or digital textbook is appealing and might even be cost effective in the long run. It seems fitting that school districts should consider the value of iPads in the classroom, however we must ask the right questions before getting too far along in the process.

     What is the plan for introducing the iPads into the schools? How will teachers be supported through training and technical support as well as appropriate selection of apps for the iPads? Is there a commitment to continue that technical support beyond the first couple of years of implementation? (After all, technology is great... when it works and when you know how to use it most effectively.) How will they ensure that the iPads are being used effectively? Will students be allowed to take iPads home and if not, how will they access their e-textbooks from home? Also, how can the iPad be used to improve communication and collaboration among teachers and students as well as for school level and school district initiatives and core standards? The potential for iPads in schools should be embraced and spark innovation as well as careful consideration of a strategic plan for implementation, support and training. The good news is, there's probably an app for that!

Hard Questions

Considering current conversations about budget cuts in education nationwide, budget committees, school board members and administrators are beginning to take a closer look at the effectiveness of school media programs. Are they worth it? Are they making a difference in the education of today's students? Can school media centers operate without a certified media specialist? Do students really need all those books with the increase in digital books and resources that are available?

These are questions that bring great concern not only to current media specialists but to recent graduates in school library media (like myself) and those seeking  employment in the field (like myself). Many media specialist are also concerned about how the drastic budget cuts will affect their media budgets. The questions aren't going away and they must be answered. Some feel threatened by these questions. I believe now more than ever that media specialists have the opportunity to prove our worth and the value of school library programs.

Consider for a moment the technology, books and other media resources that are currently in place in most schools today. I believe that the true value in these resources is in how we use them. Without a trained staff in place to teach students and teachers how to use these resources, the resources are no longer valuable to the school. When informational resources are not available, it is our students who will ultimately pay the price. If we want our students to be competitive and successful in today's global culture, we must support them by making available current information resources and teach them how to use them appropriately. We need to be teaching them how to go about inquiry, how to evaluate informational sources, how to filter the information that they need, how to synthesize that information and how to share what they find in a responsible and ethical way. We need to be teaching students how to be safe and responsible with their digital imprints and online identities. And amidst all this technology, we need to be teaching them how to access and make use of print resources.

In addition to teaching these life skills, school media programs need to encourage students to read for pleasure. It has been said that readers are leaders. Students today have so many  choices to fill their free time. Now more than ever, educators need to be intentional in our efforts to encourage students to choose to read. We need to communicate effectively through social media and in person to get them excited about reading. Our media programs should include casual book discussions, book talks and book promotions as well as blog posts and web links about new titles including a variety of genres, interests and reading levels. 

Considering the conversations surrounding the recent school budget cuts, we simply can't afford to cut school library media programming or media specialist positions. While our schools continue to have increased class sizes and higher student-teacher ratios, state and national expectations for increases in student test scores and overall quality of education continue to rise. If we expect our students to succeed, we must support them and their classroom teachers through the school library media program. 

Mrs. Whatsit & the Thingamajigs

I've been called a lot of things: "Teacher," "Mom," "Mrs. B," "Liberry Lady," "Miss...What's your name again?" Then there are the questions I hear in the school library media center so often: "Can you help me find a book? I don't remember the title but it's about this big and it's red." or from teachers, "Can you help me connect my computer to the thingamajig I checked out this morning?" or "Can you help me with this technology thing?" I feel like Mrs. Whatsit sometimes... but can I just say, "I love my (future) job!!" I love these questions. So keep asking! Life is never dull in the media center!