Digital Resource and Library Usage
HF2612 requires the AEAs to report district usage quarterly. We thought you'd like to know how integrated the digital resources are in the classroom. There were 3,493,556 interactions Sept-Nov in the Heartland AEA service area. HAEA has 28% of the student population yet used 40% of the total resources statewide.
In the short month of December, schools checked out $73,136 of materials from the Heartland AEA library.
What!?
What!? is meant to raise awareness and provide some examples that teacher librarians and teachers can explore on their own. Here’s how you can create Choose Your Own Adventure stories with Google Forms and AI.
The beauty of CYOA lies in its interactive nature. Students become the protagonists, not just consuming a story but actively shaping its course. Google Forms provides the perfect platform for creating these branching narratives, allowing us to craft engaging experiences that go beyond the limitations of traditional textbooks.
Step 1. Use an AI tool to brainstorm a central plot with several decision points or storylines for students to chose.
Step 2. Use a mapping template to keep track of your story.
Step 3. Build your interactive Google Form.
Step 4. Embed images, audio clips or videos to create a more immersive experience.
Image from: https://blog.tcea.org/choose-your-own-adventure-google-forms-ai/
What!?
Last October, we introduced NotebookLM. Now, exciting new features are here to make your work even more efficient! The new NotebookLM tool summarizes research so you can concentrate on the decision-making process.
We started with 14 research reports about the four-day school week. This link includes the research reports and samples of report summaries generated by the new NotebookLM features.
New features in NotebookLM:
· Summarize each research report and identify key topics.
· Summarize all research reports.
· Respond to chat questions, such as, “What evidence is there that student achievement or student attendance improves in a four-day school week?”
· Generate a study guide.
· Generate a briefing document.
· Generate an FAQ.
· Generate a timeline and cast of characters (e.g., researchers and experts).
· Generate an audio podcast (e.g., a 13-minute podcast based on these research reports).
· Use interactive mode to integrate your voice, allowing the podcast to edit itself and respond to your questions or comments.
Applications for educators and administrators:
- For teacher librarians supporting research: Simplify the research process for students, guiding them to focus on critical analysis and synthesis of information.
- For college-bound discussions: Use this tool to foster meaningful conversations about ethical research practices and information credibility.
- For administrators: Save time sharing research, best practices, and updates with teachers, communities, and school boards.
Points to ponder:
- How can NotebookLM help you streamline student research instruction?
- How might it shape ethical discussions with college-bound learners?
- Could it become your go-to tool for presenting research and best practices efficiently?
- While it may save time, how can you ensure accuracy and guard against misinformation and AI hallucinations?
Explore NotebookLM and transform how you approach research and collaboration. Dive into this innovative tool today and experience the difference it could make in education!
National News Literacy Week
The sixth annual National News Literacy Week February 3-7, presented by the News Literacy Project, The E.W. Scripps Company and USA Today, focuses on providing educators with the tools and resources they need to help students more skillfully navigate today’s information landscape.
- Evaluating News Media Bias: A Nuanced Approach to a Vital Topic. Free webinar includes strategies for teaching students about the complex topic of bias in news coverage. Register.
- Free NNLW Activity Planner with virtual lessons and infographics.
Image from: https://newslit.org/
New Learn360 Videos
- Power, 9-12 (4 min) The Founding Fathers and 18th century politicians thought elections should be decided by the House of Representatives.
- Generational Trauma, 9-12 (13 min)
- Overweight, 9-12 (10 min)
- Need for Common Sense and Critical Thinking, 9-12 (23 min)
- 100 People Who Made History, 3-8 (2 min)
- Martin Luther
- Michail Gorbachev
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- Genghis Khan
- 100 Events That Made History, 3-8 (2 min)
- First Tools
- Caesar Takes Rome
- Siege of Vienna
- First Art
- Aztecs and Incas Defeated
- Abolishing Apartheid
- Battle of Hastings
- Franz Ferdinand Assassinated
- Alma’s Way Shorts, PreK-5 (4 min)
- My Way: Store!
- Sonia’s Way: Mapping Memories
- My Way: Bomba!
- My Way: Breakdancing!
- Lyla in the Loop, PreK-5 (25 min)
- When Luke Became Stu/Secret Surprise Party
- Sanitation Situation/Stu Rides the Bus
- Elinor Wonders Why, Season 2, PreK-5 (23 min)
- Teacher’s Day/The Nose Knows
- Alma’s Way, Season 2, PreK-5 (23 min)
- No Sleep ‘Til New Year’s/Nurse Alma
- Carl the Collector, PreK-5 (23 min)
- Puffball Collection/The Bottle Cap Collection
- A Collection to Get Rid Of/The Button Collection
- Autograph Collection/The Rope Collection
- Rosie’s Rules, Season 1, PreK-5 (25 min)
- Rosie’s Christmas in Mexico
- How Does It Work?, PreK-5 (3 min)
- Eye
- Hot Air Balloon
- Hydraulic Systems
- Irrigation
- Lie Detector
- Optical Illusions
- Spider’s Web
- Wireless Charging
- 3D Printer
- Artificial Limb
- Drinking Water
- Drone
- Geiger Counter
- Helicopter
- Kinetic Energy
- Rainbows
- Robot Vacuum
- Rollercoaster
- Spacecraft
- Thermal Camera
- Train Tracks
- Volcanic Eruptions
- Astronaut Food
- ATM
- Autopilot
- Boats
- Chatbots
- Escalator
- Fitness Trackers
- GPS
- Hoverboard
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Seismograph
- Siri
- Skyscraper
- Solar Panels
- Space Suit
- Submarines
- Tunnels
- Vaccines
- Water Cycle
- Wi-Fi
- X-rays