Hey, What's All The Muss?!

  Guess again!   It’s not really there!   That is the magic of virtual reality and augmented reality.   For our tech minute today, I would like to introduce you to Happy Atoms, a product by Schnell Games.  (click for link to website)      It is an augmented reality experience, which means that “it is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information” (2020, Augmented Reality). These augmented reality programs are a boon to content teachers.   They can make the un-seeable not only visible but interactive.   As librarians, our ability to enhance content and curriculum makes us invaluable to our teachers.   As Young says, “Being a connected educator is the only way to survive as a librarian” (2020).   The Happy Atoms program is perfect for science teachers in both middle school and high school and the librarian that brings...

Sometimes we do NOT want to make a great big leap.   Just one small step will do just fine, thank you very much!    That is how I was feeling as I began to learn about makerspaces.        These are spaces devoted to learning through inquiry where the student has control of the pace, materials, design, and final product.   Dr. Moorefield-Lang shares a Laura Fleming quote in her video, explaining that a makerspace is “a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play and open-ended exploration for all” (2018).   This quote does not quite reveal the real advantage that a makerspace brings to education.   Consider this: “Maker spaces promote learning through play; have the potential to demystify science, math, technology, and engineering; and encourage women and underrepresented minorities to seek careers in those fields” (Britton, 2012).   That is a big bang for the buck and that is why I made the decision to investigate H...