November 12: AASL's Best Websites for Teaching and Learning
This week, I wanted to share with you a great resource for learning about some websites you can use to enhance student learning. Every year, the American Association of School Librarians identifies 25 “Best Websites for Teaching and Learning.” You can see the latest 2013 selections at this link: http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/best-websites/2013
The websites are categorized into these categories: • Media Sharing • Digital Storytelling • Manage & Organize • Social Networking & Communication • Content Resources • Curriculum Collaboration
I was delighted to be appointed to the committee that will evaluate and select the 2014 Best Websites. I welcome any ideas for nominations you may have. As our committee begins our evaluation, I have also been exploring the 2013 sites I didn’t know about before. Here are is one I just explored and think could enhance many projects dealing with historical time and place:
Myhistro allows students to build a “story” that includes both geographical locations on a map and an historical timeline. Each addition to the story can include images and descriptions.
As with so many tools, students who use Myhistro become publishers, with their work available to others online. In this public context, it is crucial that they not only give credit to text and visual sources they use, but that, when they embed material from other sources, they understand to select items that are “copyright friendly.” I welcome the opportunity to help your students both understand the principles of copyright, fair use, and Creative Commons, and learn about how to find copyright friendly material. Please let me know if you would like to sign up for a class visit to the library or would like me to supply flipped lessons you can use in class or as homework to help your students with these concepts.
And, while I am writing, I wanted to let you know that I will be away at a conference Wednesday – Thursday. The library will be open with a substitute Wednesday and Friday, but it will be closed for Hearing Tests on Thursday. If you want to schedule a class visit, it would be best to email me this afternoon or evening, but you can also call the substitute for last minute visit requests.