In a media literacy education approach, it’s not about counting minutes spent with screens; it’s about making the minutes we spend with screens count. In a full and lively day, we’ll model the inquiry and reflection we expect to use with children by engaging in conversations, interactive presentations, and activities to explore:

• How to use media literacy education methods to provide the foundation that young children need to thrive in the digital world
• How to integrate technology in ways that foster curiosity, creativity, communication and collaboration (hint: it’s not just about finding the right app)
• How our approach changes when we think of librarians as Chief Inquiry Officers
• How to design and implement your own inquiry-based media literacy activities
• How to serve as media mentors for families
• How to respond to objections about media and young children without abandoning our own concerns

Rather than distributing hard copies, handouts for the workshop will be shared via Google Drive and we’ll use that platform to exchange ideas during the day, so BYOD (bring your own device). And be prepared for a thought-provoking and engaging day!

Sometimes it can be hard to watch young people using media technologies and not be concerned. But when we engage youth using our own fears as our primary lens, we're likely to be met with resistance, disdain, or indifference. In this upbeat workshop, we’ll share an alternative strategy that doesn’t require abandoning our concerns: a skills-based, constructivist approach that respects youth media culture in the same way we might respect their ethnicity or religion. Rather than focusing on critiquing teen behavior or media choices, the goal is to help young people see themselves as capable of the inquiry and reflection that they’ll need to successfully navigate the demands of an increasingly complex digital world. You’ll walk away with concrete ideas for activities, as well as an understanding of the pedagogical foundation that make the activities effective so you can design your own activities.

This workshop is part of the Media Smart Libraries program which was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Grant # LG-07-14-0045-14. Attendance at this workshop can be applied to the Access & Use, Analyze & Evaluate, Create & Collaborate, Reflect, and Take Action Badges.

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Public Librarians, School Librarians, Academic Librarians, Library Students

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Library System and the RI Office of Library and Information Services

Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eighth-annual-teen-summit-tickets-26827948115

It's time to start taking a closer look at the children's books of 2016. Please read one or (better yet) more books for the first meeting. Participating in the Mock Newbery is an opportunity to read the newest children’s books and to discuss them with other passionate readers. Please join us!