On April 21, I attended a symposium held by the University of Maryland HS/HSL library on the use of handheld devices in academia and medicine. While this conference was geared towards academia and medicine, I kept thinking of how this could be applicable to school library media specialists.
Students are using more devices and at younger ages. They are creating and receiving information in ways that most adults couldn't even dream of. If medical schools and universities are using handheld devices as a way to read students, maybe middle and high schools could be trying to do this as well. While I am not sure *how* this would be done exactly, I am envisioning this as more of a one more point of contact for students. There may be some inexpensive and relatively easy ways to incorporate the hand-held technologies that students are already using.
One way that was suggested was to create a mobile library website. Another, was to create resources designed specifically for viewing on a mobile device. School libraries could also use previously created content. Medline Plus has a mobile web/health information that could be easily used by students (or the general population) for consumer medical research. Showing students how to access reputable information with their phones would be a great way to incorporate information literacy into life long learning (AASL Standard 1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry and AASL Standard 4 - Pursue personal and aesthetic growth ).
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Megan,
ReplyDeleteI think the school library field will move toward using handheld devices. The school librarian at my daughter's elementary school has already committed funds to purchase iPads. Many children are comfortable using apps on iPhones. It won't be difficult for them to adapt to using these devices in school.
This technology will allow teachers to incorporate technology in ways that we never envisioned. The price of these devices are also much less than PCs. The iPad is retailing for $500.