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An article from the NEA about the 4 C's. It's not specific to the library, in fact doesn't mention libraries, but lots of good background on what each skill is and how it presents in student work.

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Preparing 21st Century Students for a Global Society

The "21st Century Skills" movement is more than a decade old. Yet, educators still pose important questions about how to move 21st century education forward. NEA has been an advocate of the 21st century education movement from its inception and wants to empower educators to move it forward in their own practice.

Ten years ago, NEA helped establish the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) and in 2002 began a two-year journey to develop what became known as a "Framework for 21st Century Learning," highlighting 18 different skills. In the last eight years, 16 states joined P21 and agreed to build 21st century outcomes into their standards, professional development, and assessments.

Over the years it became clear that the framework was too long and complicated. To resolve this issue, we interviewed leaders of all kinds to determine which of the 21st century skills were the most important for K-12 education. There was near unanimity that four specific skills were the most important. They became known as the "Four Cs":

critical thinking,

communication,

collaboration, and

creativity.

Now the challenge is building the "Four Cs" into K-12 education. Discussions on this topic are pending at the federal and state levels and in many school districts around the country. To encourage more members and leaders to incorporate this policy into their own instruction, NEA developed this guide to introduce educators to the concept, stress the importance of the "Four Cs," and put 21st century education into classroom practice.

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The "21st Century Skills" movement is more than a decade old. Yet, educators still pose important questions about how to move 21st century education forward. NEA has been an advocate of the 21st century education movement from its inception and wants to empower educators to move it forward in their own practice.

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Magazine that covers technology in education. I started following them on Twitter

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Tweets by Educ_Technology

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Article on Scholastic.com about grant writing for teachers.

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Free money to buy what you need for your classroom! Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, foundations across the country hand out millions of dollars to teachers each year. You can't get what you don't ask for, though. The teachers who find themselves with new classroom libraries and technology carts are the ones who know how to put together top-notch grant applications.

If you've never done it, grant writing can seem intimidating and mysterious. We've talked with experts, and with teachers who have snagged grants of their own, to help you make the pitch.

1 | State Your Need

Donors don't want to see a shopping list. They want to know what problem you're looking to solve and how they can help. So, instead of simply begging for books, document your students' struggles with reading and put together a plan for how you'll use new materials to boost their literacy.

"If the teacher has done a good job of identifying a need that's not being addressed and has developed a program to address that need, that increases the chances of being funded tremendously," says Bruce Sliger, author of Grant Writing for Teachers and Administrators.

Denine Torr, director of community initiatives at the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which awards more than 700 grants yearly, says the proposals that get funded are those that clearly outline measurable success. "We want to be sure we're using our dollars wisely," she says.

2 | Start Small, Start Local

Your community may have an educational foundation that gives out grants of a few hundred dollars, just for district teachers. Another place to begin your hunt is with local businesses.

"Even though we want to think big, the smaller grants have simpler applications and are more likely to be awarded," says Fred Ende, a science coordinator in suburban New York who received thousands of dollars in grant money during his years as a classroom teacher.

"Don't try to get everything in one grant," advises Jennie Magiera, a digital learning coordinator in Chicago. When she was a teacher, she built up her classroom library through small grants, and she has colleagues who have amassed a collection of iPads one grant at a time: "If they waited for that one grant that got them 10 iPads all at once, they'd still be waiting."

3 | Do Your Homework

"One of the most important lessons to learn is, you have to do your research on the grant funder," says Ende. "What do they represent? What do they hold in the highest regard? What have they funded in the past?"

If a foundation focuses on science and math projects, for example, don't come to them with your arts and
literature needs.

"We call it 'Cinderella Syndrome,' " says Torr, referring to instances when applicants' proposals just aren't the right fit for her organization's mission. "Do the research to find the perfect fit for you," she says. "It's out there."

4 | Be Creative

Donors will usually balk at funding mundane purchases like lightbulbs, says Sliger. But if you can find a twist, like a new type of lighting that reduces students' eyestrain, you just might convince them, he says. "The funder is more likely to say, 'Hey, that's a new idea. Let's do that.' "

Get creative as you write your grants, too. Laura Reed, a PreK special needs teacher in Lee County, Florida, needed items ranging from chewy necklaces for her students' oral fixations to role-play costumes designed to alleviate anxiety about going to the doctor. So she wrapped them all up under the heading of "Little Student Solutions" and got funded. "Everybody on the grant committee said they love when teachers come up with catchy titles," she says.

5 | Collaborate to Win

"Seek a colleague to team with and throw ideas around," says Lynne Piotrowski, a Williamsport, Pennsylvania, instructional coach who teamed with other teachers to write grants when she was a reading specialist. Veteran grant writers can guide newbies through the process-and gain inspiration from novices' fresh ideas. "I don't know if I would have been successful solo," Piotrowski adds.

You can even get your students in on the action. Ende, the science coordinator in New York, says the successful idea for a $25,000 grant that funded a weather station at his school came from his kids. He advises: "Ask your students, 'What's something you think our school or classroom really needs?' "

6 | Mine for Data

Donors love to see results, so brainstorm ways to quantify student growth. That might mean giving a pretest and posttest, or tracking before-and-after data on student discipline or homework completion rates. You'll want hard data for grant reports, but you can also document the success of your program through videos, photos, and letters from parents and students.

Magiera, the digital learning coordinator in Chicago, was able to show year-over-year numbers on attendance and grades after she received a grant for iPads. "Everything had an up curve," she says.

7 | Watch Your P's and Q's

Nothing tanks a grant application faster than typos, missed deadlines, or flowery fonts. Even if you don't receive funding, a professional application makes a good impression and can help you the next time you apply.

Have a colleague or an eagle-eyed friend or family member read through your grant before you submit it. Or better yet, attend a grant-writing workshop to obtain feedback.

Lauren Italiano, who has written grants as a school librarian in one Boston suburb and sits on an educational foundation in another, says local foundations often offer free support and workshops. Most of the attendees, she says, end up with
successful grant applications.

8 | Build Relationships

"Take a picture of whatever the funding has been able to provide and send it to the funder" along with a thank-you note, suggests Theresa Lewallen, ASCD's managing director of constituent programs. You can even invite the donors to the school to see the results of their contribution. "Smaller funders in particular like to get kudos and see their work in action," Lewallen says.

Even if a funder rejects your grant, continue to cultivate the relationship. Ask for feedback and inquire about working together in the future. "Don't see 'no' as the end of the conversation," Lewallen says.

9 | Tap Your Social Network

James Walter Doyle, a teacher at Thurgood Marshall Academy in New York City, says he's received around $150,000 through DonorsChoose.org, a website that allows individuals to help fund teachers' projects.

He's had success with sharing his requests with friends and family on Facebook. "I don't phrase it in a way that I'm asking for money," he says. "I'm inviting them to see what's going on in my classroom, and if they choose to give money, that's fantastic."

Doyle has snagged funding for a classroom printer, copies of Romeo and Juliet, and student trips abroad.

10 | Don't Give Up!

Even experienced grant writers face rejection. Use it as a learning experience, and move on to the next grant.

Also, don't let grant writing become something you do when you "have the time." Put deadlines on your calendar and hold yourself accountable.

Sliger, the author, notes that teachers already possess skills that make them natural grant writers. "They already know how to write goals and objectives, and a lot of folks in nonprofits have to learn how to do that. The money is out there."
Click Here to Subscribe to Instructor Magazine

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Free money to buy what you need for your classroom! Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, foundations across the country hand out millions of dollars to teachers each year. You can't get what you don't ask for, though.

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Article from Future Ready Module on COPPA

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Twitter feed for an author I really like, Diana Rednina. She wrote Reimagining Library Spaces - great read!

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Tweets by DianaLRendina

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Twitter account for our city public library.

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Tweets by saclib

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A short video explaining the 4 C's.

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Learn about the "4Cs" for 21st Century Learning: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. See how technology plays an important role in building these skills for students and how you can integrate the 4Cs into your teaching.

(To learn more about the 4 Cs, visit the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.)

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Introduction to the 4 Cs | Common Sense Education

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Learn about the "4Cs" for 21st Century Learning: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. See how technology plays an important role in building these skills for students and how you can integrate the 4Cs into your teaching. (To learn more about the 4 Cs, visit the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.)

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Twitter feed for Andy Plemmons - librarian and techie

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Tweets by plemmonsa

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Grant writing tutorial from the NEA

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Grant dollars to help teachers are out there. The NEA Foundation created this tutorial to help educators apply for a grant that will enhance their teaching.

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Tool from Common Sense. org that lets you search an app and see the privacy issues at a glance.

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Our articles and reports are published by a team of experts in privacy, security, education, and law on the state of kids' privacy and the security of smart tech devices that are designed to shed light on critical issues facing kids and families.

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Our articles and reports are published by a team of experts in privacy, security, education, and law on the state of kids' privacy and the security of smart tech devices that are designed to shed light on critical issues facing kids and families.

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ALA article on the defining characteristics of a successful learning commons

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My school district Twitter account.

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Tweets by officialSCUSD

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Battelle for Kids is a non-profit out of Ohio that promotes 21st century learning skills. They have a monthly newsletter and free resources for eductors on a variety of topics related to 21st century learning.

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Access blogs, videos, success stories, and other resources to realize the power and promise of 21st century learning for every student.

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Twitter chat about technology in school.

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Tweets by KidsDeserveIt

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More grant writing tips

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With late winter and spring deadlines approaching, now is the time to find and apply for teaching grants.

Check out these tips to getting grant funding for your classroom or school projects.
Getting Your Teaching Grants Search Started Start with a Grant-worthy Project
Before you dive into your teaching grants search, figure out what you want to do in class.

Are you interested in implementing a clicker system, getting calculators, building your classroom library? Focus and set specific goals that this funding will help you achieve.

Knowing what you want to do with focus your search for what teaching grants fit best for you.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

If you need the money now, you're already too late. Moral of the story: plan ahead.

Even though all we can think about right now is making it to break, it's time to start thinking about grants for next year!
Get Backing from Your Administrators
Not only might your principal or superintendent know what grants are available, you may also need their authorization and support as you get farther in the process. In fact, some federal grants cap the number of applications a school or district can make.
Searching for Grants
Once you know the specifics for your projects, try searching the internet for matching grants (for instance, if you want iPads for your classroom, maybe Apple have grant opportunities).

You can also keep an eye out for grants as they arise. Here are a few sites to check out:
A Match Made in Grant Heaven
Once you've found a possible funding match, make sure to read all of the requirements to ensure that your proposal is within the giving priorities of the organization.

If you're writing an original funding request for DonorsChoose.org, make your entry stand out to potential donors. Donors get to hand-pick their projects, so you'll want to catch their attention with a well written, persuasive proposal. Don't forget to detail specific goals that their funds will help you achieve.

Example: If funders say they are accepting applications for early childhood programs, do not submit an application for your high school math program. This is a waste of your time.
Writing a 5-Star Grant Application Follow the Directions
When you receive the grant application, read the directions carefully.

Many foundations won't even read proposals if they do not follow the rules. Example: If they ask for the proposal to be written in a certain font size and type, make sure it is.
The 3 S's of a Winning Proposal Be Straightforward
It can be tempting to make generalized claims about how this grant will mean so much to your students and make a difference, but these kinds of statements don't express specifics about what their money will help you achieve.

Also, keep the outcome this project as the focus rather than the things you need to make it happen.
Show Supporting Evidence
Show that there is a need in your community, and demonstrate how your project will meet that need. The statement of need should be compelling, thought-through, well-documented with objective evidence.

1) Have a detailed plan on how to implement that project

2) Make sure the application is presented clearly and is easy to understand

3) Be clear about why you want this grant

4) State your school/classroom/students needs clearly

5) Make sure you have clear, realistic goals and objectives for the project

6) Make sure you have an assessment strategy to measure your project's success

Demonstrate project logic and outcome, impact of funds, and community support
Set Yourself Apart
With school budgets being slashed around the country, grant competition is sure to be fierce.

Ask yourself:
What makes you different from every other grant request coming across their desk? Are you taking an innovative approach? Does your project have research-based support showing it'll be successful?
Argue persuasive reasons why you deserve this funding more than any other applicant.
Plan Your Budget
Some funders look at the budget before reading the rest of the proposal so it is important that it be clear and pay attention to guidelines set out by the grantmaker.

Think about all the costs associated with your project to include in the budget (including supplies, staff development, etc.)

Check with vendors to get accurate prices

Include current school funding to show existing support for the project

Be reasonable, accurate and flexible

Double check the math

Appeal to the Organization's Goals

Make sure your proposal is within the giving priorities of the organization. To do this, review their mission statement, goals and previous grant winners. You'll be able to align your project with their goals using their buzzwords.

Grantmakers will likely be following and promoting your project once it's been granted, so it should be something that will look good for them as well as you.
Didn't Find the Right Funding Fit? Make Your Own Opportunities
Contact local businesses to see if they would be interested in supporting the project. Local businesses are more likely to give to local causes. Make sure to offer them recognition and publicity for their contributions.

Now is the perfect time to get in on businesses end-of-the-year charitable giving!! Take advantage of the end of the fiscal year and get requests out and completed before January 1.

Many places also have a set amount of money that they have to give out every year. If there is a large corporation nearby, get in touch with their corporate giving office and try to start a relationship with the person who makes the giving decisions. Again, tell them how great the project is for the community, and make sure to offer recognition and publicity in return for a donation.

Have your own tips for getting teaching grants? Share in the comments section!

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With late winter and spring deadlines approaching, now is the time to find and apply for teaching grants. Check out these tips to getting grant funding for your classroom or school projects. Getting Your Teaching Grants Search Started Start with a Grant-worthy Project Before you dive into your teaching grants search, figure out what you want to do in class.

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Article about applying COPPA for educators.

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The Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act, more commonly known as COPPA, is a law dealing with how websites, apps, and other online operators collect data and personal information from kids under the age of 13.

COPPA has a number of requirements, but some key ones are that tech companies making apps, websites, and online tools for kids under 13 must:

provide notice and get parental consent before collecting information from kids;

have a "clear and comprehensive" privacy policy;

and keep information they collect from kids confidential and secure.

(Source: Complying with COPPA: Frequently Asked Questions)

For a more detailed, yet still accessible, overview of the law, you can also check out EdWeek's " COPPA and Schools: The (Other) Federal Student Privacy Law, Explained." The article gets into the somewhat confusing and contentious issue of whether or not schools can stand in for kids' parents when giving consent. In short, schools can grant COPPA consent if -- here's the tricky part -- the tool is used solely for an educational purpose. As the FTC explains in its COPPA FAQs, the information collected must be "for the use and benefit of the school, and for no other commercial purpose." And it can often be hard to tell exactly where that line is drawn.

In addition to knowing when teachers and schools can consent on behalf of parents, teachers and schools should also follow other best practices with respect to COPPA: conducting appropriate due diligence in vetting products, and providing appropriate information to parents (such as the names of sites or services it has consented to on behalf of parents, and those sites and services' information practices).

Beyond COPPA's parental consent issue, it's important to know that even though the law specifically regulates technology companies, teachers and schools aren't off the hook when it comes to understanding the law and its intent.

COPPA was originally enacted in 1998 -- 20 years ago! Technology has changed a lot during that time. And the technologies that kids use both on their own and in school are no exception. Innovative teachers -- many of whom tend to be early adopters of new tech -- are likely to try out tools that haven't been made specifically for kids or haven't been made with educational use in mind. Along with innovative teaching comes the responsibility to understand how our students' data is being collected and used.

What can teachers do?

1. Know your school's policies on adopting new technologies and follow them. Does your school or district have an approved list of apps and sites for student use? Chances are, students' data privacy issues were a big part of the decision to approve -- or not approve -- a tool.
2. Choose your classroom tech wisely.

Stick to tools designed with education in mind, especially if kids are going to sign up and create accounts. Products that commercialize student learning are not recommended.

When you bring new tech into your classroom, be mindful about how the tools ask kids to sign up, enter personal information, or share anything online -- and choose products that minimize and avoid unnecessary information collection.

Always provide information to parents about what tools you're using in the classroom.

Avoid apps, games, or websites that seem focused on advertising.

Be cautious with tools that claim to be for education but are also aimed at consumers or the business world.

3. Not sure about a technology tool? Common Sense's privacy evaluations can help. These evaluations for many of the most popular edtech tools identify and explain the privacy risks in ways that are easy to understand.
Editor's note: This article has been updated from the original version, which was published on December 21, 2017.

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Learn what teachers need to know about this important law.

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One school's journey from media center to learning commons. Discusses funding and staff buy-in

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Media Center to Learning Commons: One District's Transformation

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A California library media coordinator led a renovation that boosted circulation and drew in many more teens-and made shush a four-letter word.

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A webinar on 21st century learning.

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World Class: How to Build a 21st-Century School System

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CUE is a non-profit organization that promotes innovation in all areas of education. The 2019 Fall conference is in my hometown, Sacramento! Definitely going.

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Our Fall CUE 2019 Conference is sure to get your 2019-2020 school year rolling with fresh ideas and new connections.

Join us at our NEW LOCATION: Cordova High School in Sacramento, CA on October 19-20, 2019!

We are proud to enter our 42nd year with an amazing lineup of speakers, sponsors, and community members from near and far.

Registration is set to open in March, so get ready! Stay tuned for details on prices, sessions, and more.

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SAVE THE DATE! Our Fall CUE 2019 Conference is sure to get your 2019-2020 school year rolling with fresh ideas and new connections. Join us at our NEW LOCATION: Cordova High School in Sacramento, CA on October 19-20, 2019! We are proud to enter our 42nd year with an amazing lineup of speakers, sponsors, and ...

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A Facebook group that posts about opportunities for educators - PD. grants, scholarships etc.

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Scholarships, Grants and Summer Institutes for Teachers

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The Scholarships, Grants and Summer Institutes for Teachers is a group page for instructors looking for grant funding and stipends, opportunities for professional development, summer travel, job...

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EDSurge is a non-profit that focuses on technology in education

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Tweets by EdSurge

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Diana Rendina's Website

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Hi, I'm Diana! Welcome to Renovated Learning.

Maybe you're curious about this makerspace thing. Or maybe you're looking to redesign your learning space to work better for our modern students. Or maybe you're an educator (or someone who cares about education) who's tired of the status quo and wants to see schools transformed with creativity.

I'm here to help.

I transformed my school library and started a makerspace from scratch and I want to empower other educators and librarians to do the same.

Here at Renovated Learning, I share my experiences in starting and running and makerspace and redesigning our learning space.

Whether you need help starting a makerspace or growing a makerspace you already have, there will be something here for you. Let's work together to make learning awesome again 🙂

Click on over the blog to start reading, or check out some of the resources below and in the menu bar.

First time here? Check out my Start Here page

5 New Back-to-School Hacks for 2023

My Back-to-School Hacks post from 2015 has been getting a lot of traffic lately (maybe because of the School Library Journal article with a similar title?) so I thought it might be good to write an updated version. A lot has changed for me since 2015 - I'm at a different school (Tampa Prep, where ... Read more

Science + Makerspace: Earthquake Structure Design Challenge

In the spring of 2021, the 6th grade science teacher and I began forming a plan. She had seen the engagement of 6th graders in our afterschool Maker Days program and wanted to find a way to bring that into her classroom so that ALL of our 6th graders could have this opportunity. We applied ... Read more

Science + Makerspace: Safety Device Challenge

In the spring of 2021, the 6th grade science teacher and I began forming a plan. She had seen the engagement of 6th graders in our afterschool Maker Days program and wanted to find a way to bring that into her classroom so that ALL of our 6th graders could have this opportunity. We ... Read more

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Renovated Learning is a place where I help educators who are tired of the status quo and who want to infuse creativity into their schools.

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A short article about the 4 C's as they relate to the Common Core Standards. Links to other tools and resources for teaching the 4 C's.

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The 'four Cs' are an integral part of the Common Core standards; here are free resources for helping to teach these important skills

The 21 st-century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, often referred to as the "four Cs," are an integral part of the Common Core standards.

Fortunately, there are an abundance of free resources and digital tools that empower teachers to lead by example and integrate these "four Cs" in meaningful and effective ways.
Communication
It's remarkable to think that we live in a time when we can communicate with anyone, anywhere and any time. We also have so many choices in how we communicate: text message, instant message, video conference, conference call, eMail, snail mail.

Effective communication in our digital world requires new skills, and we need to choose the best tools for the purpose. The Literacy Capacities and Math Practices embedded in the Common Core standards, referred to as "Habits of Mind," help us understand what students should be able to do. Specifically, students should be able to:

Adapt their communication in relation to audience, task, purpose, and discipline.

Be familiar with the strengths and limitations of various technological tools and mediums and can select and use those best suited to their communication goals.

Actively seek to understand other perspectives and cultures through reading and listening, and communicate effectively with people of varied backgrounds.

Justify their conclusions, communicate them to others, and respond to the arguments of others.

Communicate precisely to others.

To help students become competent in these capacities and practices, we need to ask ourselves some questions. Do we need synchronous communication to brainstorm and share ideas? Would asynchronous communication allow us more time to explore ideas and develop solutions?

Many of our students have grown up with these tools available to them, but they rarely have opportunities to connect and communicate once they get to school. Here are a few of our favorite free resources for getting learners connected to experts, practitioners, parents, community members, teachers, and other students around the world:

Connecting students is also a great opportunity to teach digital literacy and citizenship, and Common Sense Media has free resources to help ( commonsensemedia.org/educators).

( Next page: Tools for fostering collaboration and creativity skills)

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How the 'four Cs' fit with the Common Core

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The 21 st-century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, often referred to as the "four Cs," are an integral part of the Common Core standards. Fortunately, there are an abundance of free resources and digital tools that empower teachers to lead by example and integrate these "four Cs" in meaningful and effective ways.

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Nicholas Provenzano's website - more makerspace specific but some good info on learning commons in general.

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It was bound to happen. Conferences are back and teachers are ready to dive into professional development. I wanted to share some tips for anyone that is new to ISTE or any other conference.

1. Wear comfortable shoes. You will be putting miles on your feet over the next few days and you need to take care of your feet. While wearing nice shows while you present or go out after the conferences is nice, you need comfy shoes to walk the halls and the exhibit hall. If your feet are sore after a day, the next couple will be painfully difficult to get around.

2. Stay hydrated. This is particular important for ISTE this year. Drink water all the time, especially if you will be drinking non-water drinks at night. You will not be able to concentrate and you will feel like a hot mess if you are not properly hydrated.

3. Eat. This one seems silly, but it is so easy to get wrapped up in the day and not have a good lunch or breakfast. You need energy for the day and these meals will help you get through the hustle and bustle of a conference. Eat healthy and carve out time to do it. Enter it into your planner and follow it. Your tummy will thank you later.

4. Do not be scared to say hi to people you follow on Social Media. We are all educators and are dedicated to making education better for all. Just because someone has more followers than another person, does not make them more important than everyone else. Say hi. Ask a question. Connect. This is why we are at a conference, so don't be afraid to do it. Maybe avoid talking to them in the bathroom. :-)

5. Find time to unpack. I don't mean your suitcase, I mean what you learned that day. Find a quiet spot and just reflect on what you saw and how you might bring that to your school, district or classroom. Make some notes to yourself so that you can look back at them after the conference and remember what you were thinking when everything was fresh in your mind.

6. Check out the conference sessions and try to plan accordingly. I'd love it if you came to my sessions. I'm doing a session on MakerEd on Monday. Look at the schedule and add the sessions that interest you most. If there is more than one session you want to attend, see if there is a friend going and get their notes. There is never enough time to see everything, so it is important to plan ahead so you do not miss everything.

7. Visit the vendors. I always like to take time to visit the vendor hall and check out anything new and to just say thanks for the cool and innovative things they have brought to the classroom. I always end up with a couple of new gadgets I want to bring into the classroom or want to explore. They vendors help make conferences possible, so please stop by and check them out.

8. Vote with your feet. This staple of edcamp is important at conferences. Time is limited and you do not want to waste it in a session that is not what you hoped. Get up and go. You will not be offending anyone. You need to get the most out of your time at a conference and sitting in a session for an hour not learning anything is not a good use of your time. This is why it is good to have a backup session for each time slot in case you have a bad one. If you can't get into a back up session, go to one of the lounges and connect with others. Some of the best learning happens in the hallways.

9. Go out and have fun! After each day, there is fun to be had at many of the restaurants around the convention center. It is a great time to connect and talk about the things you have learned and make new friends. Some of my closest friends were made at a conference. Getting together and celebrating an end of a school year and the cool things you have learned is a must. Do that with other great educators at the end of each day and you will have a great conference.

If any other veteran conference attendees have other tips, please add them to the comment section. I hope all of you will take the time to stop and say Hi if you see me. I'd love to connect with all of you and learn something new.

Hugs and High Fives,

Nick

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It was bound to happen. Conferences are back and teachers are ready to dive into professional development. I wanted to share some tips for anyone that is new to ISTE or any other conference. 1. Wear comfortable shoes. You will be putting miles on your feet over the next few days and you need to take care of your feet.

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A subscription newsletter that focuses on technology in education. Many articles on incorporating the 4 C's into instruction with resources and tools, some are library specific.

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eSchool Media Sites: eCampus News | eClassroom News | eSchool Media

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Podcast from November Learning about the library as a learning commons.

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Welcome to the November Learning Podcast Series. In this episode, Alan speaks to Shannon Miller, Teacher Librarian and Technology Specialist at Van Meter Community School in Van Meter, Iowa. The two discuss today's enhanced role of a library as a learning commons, how parental involvement is vital within her learning space, how giving ownership of learning to students accentuates their interest in learning and why being globally connected is a necessity for any modern-day educator.

Shannon will be a keynote speaker, a pre-conference master class facilitator and a session presenter at this year's BLC conference. For more information and to register, visit http://novemberlearning.com/blc.

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Library as a Learning Commons - An Interview with Shannon Miller

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Welcome to the November Learning Podcast Series. In this episode, Alan speaks to Shannon Miller, Teacher Librarian and Technology Specialist at Van Meter Community School in Van Meter, Iowa.

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A blog about education and innovation with an emphasis on technology and 21st century skills.

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Blog - 21st Century Learning International

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As educators we defined our organization mission to be "Building communities of learners" and we believe that in partnership with our APPEC committees - former and current - that we have been successful in achieving this for Physical Education Teachers. As APPEC has developed over the last four years, we've received requests from around the ...

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HUGE list of resources on learning commons - articles, books, pinterest pages, twitter chats, podcasts, etc.