Course Description 

Education took a direct hit at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, but schools and students adapted quickly. Now remote and hybrid learning are poised to shape the future of education, and the institutions who do it well will come out ahead.

In this new course from School Library Journal and Library Journal, teachers and librarians who have been at the forefront of creative digital education, project-based learning, and makerspaces will share their ideas for successful remote and hybrid learning. You’ll come away with creative solutions to implement now and adapt for the long run as education evolves with our digital future.

In this course, you’ll learn from the experts how to:

• Craft dynamic inquiry-based learning experiences for students online and beyond

• Support students’ individual learning needs in any context

• Translate ideas that worked physically to a virtual format

• Find and connect digital resources to different subject areas in virtual activities

• Establish a virtual makerspace

• Build meaningful community with your students and learners whether online or in-person

• Encourage students to have ownership and agency over their work, no matter the setting

In the accompanying small group workshop, you’ll generate program ideas for your library based on models of successful blended learning.

Outcomes 

Establish a plan for engaging students based on best practices for hybrid, distance, and in-person learning.

You’ll come away with:

• Program ideas for your library based on successful learning models (makerspace activities, inquiry-based learning projects, and social-emotional learning)

• Collaboration ideas for supporting colleagues as they design and deliver content to students 

• Tools and resources to help you plan and deliver your ideas, whether you’re working with students in person or remotely

Group rates are available 

Have a team attend and increase your impact!

Please contact us at libraryjournal@edmaker.co to learn more about our discounted rates.

By registering for this event you confirm that you have read and agree to our Code of Conduct.

Can’t make a live session? All sessions will be available to you “on-demand” following the initial broadcast.

Part 1: Tuesday, February 16, 2021, 11AM-12:45PM ET 

Session 1 | 11:00-11:45AM ET

How The Pandemic Has Sparked Revolutionary Ideas
For all the many challenges libraries have faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, librarians have emerged with innovative ideas that have addressed those challenges with great effectiveness and creativity. In this session, you’ll learn how librarians have heard the call to reinvent their practice and answered it with resourcefulness and ingenuity.

Attendees will come away with new ideas for:

• Access to learning materials: New ways to get books and kits to students

• Instructional Partnerships: Developing online units of instruction with and for teachers

• Tech Support: Manning service desks, helping with repairs, and distributing tech

• Family support: Events, one-on-one help, and story times

• Visibility: Now that online learning has made everything in school more visible, how are librarians being viewed

Speaker: Rhonda Jenkins, Library Media Center Director, Indian Prairie School District (IL)
 

Intermission | 11:45AM-12:00PM ET
 

Session 2 | 12:00-12:45PM ET

Virtual Hands-On Learning: Bringing Virtual Makerspaces To Life
In this session, you’ll hear about the ways librarians are reimagining their makerspaces to fit the virtual environment. Ian Matty, makerspace manager at Mountain Lakes Public Library, will demonstrate how he has been able to engage students in making remotely, staying true to the spirit of his library makerspace. You’ll walk away with a plethora of creative ideas you can apply to your own library or school.

Attendees will:

• Gain confidence in leading a virtual makerspace activity, trusting that your students will be engaged and connected

• Learn how to approach an idea that worked physically and make it virtual  

• Learn about digital resources and how to connect them with different subject areas

• Learn how to manage your technology and, more importantly, your students’ technology issues

• Learn how to create a hybrid model of pick up/take home physical resources combined with a virtual activity

Speaker: Ian Matty, Makerspace Manager, Mountain Lakes Public Library (NJ)
 

Part 2: Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 11AM–12:45PM ET

Session 1 | 11:00-11:45AM ET

Creative Programming To Build Community (Even At a Distance)
Building community in your virtual learning environments is vitally important to keeping students engaged and involved. In this session, you’ll learn about creative approaches to building a sense of community and encouraging authentic connection between children and their peers. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of how to encourage empathy in your current classroom, whatever the context.

Attendees will come away with:

• Clever program ideas to encourage engagement between students

• Ideas for teaching and promoting empathy, virtually or in-person

• Examples of projects and activities that you can replicate at your school

Speaker: KC Boyd, Library Media Specialist, Washington D.C. Public Schools
 

Intermission | 11:45AM-12:00PM ET
 

Session 2 | 12:00-12:45PM ET

Engaging Students Through Inquiry-Based Learning
How do I keep my students engaged? It’s one of the most pressing questions for educators working in remote and hybrid contexts. In this session, Library and Instructional Technology Teacher, Colette Cassinelli, will share how project-based learning can transform your practice and keep the attention of even your most reluctant students. This session will include creative approaches to presenting project-based learning online you can apply at your institution.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Use powerful openers to jumpstart inquiry-based learning

• Develop strong inquiry-based questions

• Prioritize student ownership and agency

• Access credible and authentic sources

• Empower students to share with authentic audiences

Speaker: Colette Cassinelli, Library and Instructional Technology Teacher, Sunset High School, Beaverton (OR)
 

Part 3: Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 11AM-1:00PM ET

Session 1 | 11:00-11:45AM ET

Cultivating a Learning Community
In this session, you’ll hear ideas for how to build relationships with students in virtual and remote contexts that will help support their growth at school and beyond. You’ll learn key practices to engage at-risk students and support their individualized learning needs and come away with ideas you can put into practice quickly--even the next day--to support your students and colleagues. 

Attendees will learn how to:

• Create meaningful relationships online

• Build a virtual school community

• Stay responsive to diverse needs (of students, families, and colleagues)

Speaker: Andrea Trudeau, Library Information Specialist, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, Deerfield (IL)
 

Intermission | 11:45AM-12:00PM ET
 

Session 2 | 12:00-12:30PM ET

Securing the Future: Librarians are the Key to Saving the World!
Throughout the pandemic, librarians have played a vital role in supporting their schools and communities. By harnessing the power of technology, spearheading community outreach and engagement, and sharing resources and information, they’ve helped young people and families navigate this global crisis. In the closing session of our workshop, we’ll take a look ahead at what comes next for librarians and educators, and how they can lead the way to the future. 
Attendees will come away with new ideas for:

• Advocating for and teaching information and media literacy skills

• Incorporating areas of technology ethics into STEM education

• Including adult education (peers and families) in our mission and goals

Speaker: Dr. Kristen Mattson, Educational Consultant and Adjunct Professor