Apps and Youth for OETC

Here is the link to the presentation that I gave to educators at the OETC conference on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.  It is an updated and refocused presentation of Early Learning Apps in the Library, focusing on apps for ages four through fourth grade in various educational settings:

http://www.slideshare.net/MissHayleyMac/apps-and-youth-for-oetc

Gotta Move : Stop and Go / Red and Green Storytime

PDF here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByZSJgcQD22tQjc2UXVVYWFmb3c/edit?usp=sharing

Apps and Kids at Your Library Presentation

I can't get the embed feature to work, so here is the link to this presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/MissHayleyMac/apps-and-kids-at-your-library-for-slideshare?utm_source=slideshow02&utm_medium=ssemail&utm_campaign=iupload_share_slideshow

Touch Program for Toddlers and Smell Program for Preschoolers

Program on the sense of touch for toddlers: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByZSJgcQD22tTkNMUlBqOEhWQTg/edit?usp=sharing

I forgot to try the idea of taping contact paper, sticky side up onto one table to make a sensory station.

Here is the letter Tt worksheet found by searching Google Images: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByZSJgcQD22tWmcxTVFZVXRlQmc/edit?usp=sharing

Here are textured "stickers" that toddlers can peel and stick to the Tt touch worksheet:
 (Will insert Widget here, once Amazon has it's html code generator fixed.)

Program on the sense of smell for preschoolers:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByZSJgcQD22tSTdfVW1VTGNKYVk/edit?usp=sharing

The Human Body app allowed a child to drag something smelly to the nose.  If it was a food item, the child could see the mouth salivate.  I ended up doing this at the end of the program, since I was having technical difficulties during the program (with the new iOS).

The "smell" jars were small plastic, cylindrical containers from Big Lots.  I had wanted to mash banana in one, have a cinnamon stick in another, a green pepper in the third, and a slice of orange in the fourth.  I ended up putting small, solid perfume samples in them and covered with foil so one couldn't see what was inside.  I poked holes in the top of the foil.

Appy Hour for Kids and Apps Folder Shared via Google

I have started a folder via my Google docs where I am starting to store all my presentations and info on Apps.  Here is the link: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0ByZSJgcQD22tU1VOdFh2TDhyZXM&usp=sharing


In the folder, you can access my handout for the "Appy Hour for Kids" program:

This presentation on iPad apps is for an audience of school-age kids, parents, teachers, and other adults who have an interest in being introduced to learning apps for kids in Kindergarten to fourth grade. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Program is from 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Early Learning Apps in the Library Presentation

Early learning apps in the library from Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County

Apps in the Library : Notebook on SpringPad

Click here to access the entire notebook: http://sprng.me/h5prp Click on "Filter" to bring up a list of and search by tags. For example, "science" will bring up science apps. Viewing problems? Make sure your internet browser if up to date.

Apps

Hooray! My article entitled "Play to Learn: Free Tablet Apps and Recommended Toys for Ages 3–7" has been published in ALSC's Children and Libraries.  It is available through the Ebscohost database.

I will be adding the article's app suggestions as well as others to a Springpad.com Notebook: http://sprng.me/h5prp 

It's just in the beginning stages now, but please continue to check back =)

Please note that to access the notebook, your internet browser will have to be the newest version.

Silent but Active

I've been quiet on this blog but active in professional activities:

I have worked on the Ohio Library Council Planning Committee for their Children's and Teens Services Conference:
http://www.olc.org/CTSCFeatures.asp
Please take part in the "Swap and Shop" even if you are elsewhere in the States!

-- Yes, I finally listened to Gantos' Dead End in Norvelt 2012 Newbery Winner: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal

I'm working on a co-presentation: http://www.neo-rls.org/ce/eventdetail.cfm?ID=3013

Communicating on the Librarians' Executive Board for our library's union.

Creating a list of (mostly free) Apple apps to use in Library Programming and am planning programs using the iPad (+ LCD projection potential) in programming.

Planning to bring back our music and movement age 0-6 programs this summer and hopefully in the fall.

I am also using iTunes University to take a "Programming Methodology" class by Standford University.

I'm still honing my communication skills as I work "on desk" throughout our 16 branch library system ... am looking at Patron Behavior in Libraries: A Handbook of Positive Approaches to Negative Situations by Beth McNeil and Denise K. Johnson and listening and taking to heart the information in Five Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell.

Apps for Library Programs

I see I had 94 hits on this blog today!  I'm assuming most of these people saw my article on music, movement, and early literacy in Children and Libraries ... My hope is that others find this blog to be a useful resource for library programming.  I appreciate any comments or questions as the site evolves!

Yes, I have been a bit quiet on this blog the last month or so ... involved in learning and special projects ... but after much research, I've FINALLY upgraded my personal technology to an iPhone and Toshiba Satellite laptop.  (I'll wait for the Flash issue on the iPad to be resolved and for the Droids to have better/ more apps.  I'm more comfortable with a keyboard for typing, and so far, I prefer storing on a harddrive vs. wireless "in the cloud" network attached storage... though I will be willing to upgrade again when technology is more refined and becomes cheaper.)  This is definately increasing my personal education and social connection, but it will also affect my professional aspirations, such as audio/video recording storytelling and library programming.

Here are some apps that I've been playing with that have great potential for use in library programs:

   Star Walk http://vitotechnology.com/star-walk.html $2.99
      From the website:  "Star Walk ... allows users to easily locate and identify 20,000+ objects in the night sky. The 360-degree, touch control star map displays constellations, stars, planets, satellites, and galaxies currently overhead from anywhere on Earth." 
       My thoughts: I hope to use this during a family evening program as a supplement to stories and songs.  It would have been a perfect fit into my Starlight at Night program: http://librarieslearnlead.blogspot.com/2010/12/starlight-at-night-program-outline.html

   LeafSnap  http://leafsnap.com/  FREE
      From the website: "Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from photographs of their leaves."        
      My thoughts: The game mode covers tree leaves, tree flowers, and nuts.  My four year old nephew and I knew nothing about tree flowers and still had fun matching a name with a photograph.  A science-based option to add to a family gaming program.

I'm not sure yet how I could share these apps in the library, but I'm thinking there must be some kind of cord I could connect from my iPhone to an LCD projector ... or if I can access those apps through my iTunes account on my laptop and project through the LCD.  I'll keep you posted!

Oh ... and did you know that Amazon is offering a Kindle app?  http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipad_mkt_lnd?docId=1000493771
This allows you to purchase Kindle formated ebooks on a non-Kindle device (PC, iPhone, etc.) or borrow Kindle formated books from a participating library.  The process is a bit tricky in that you have to download the Kindle book through Amazon (account required) and transfer to mobile devices through the Whispersync (wireless "in the cloud" technology -- yikes!) or USB.  Kind of freaky that the computer knew I had an iPhone and downloaded the book directly into the Kindle app ...

Check out these blogs about apps:
http://dailyappshow.com/
http://appadvice.com/applists