by Lisa Taylor
Ocean County (NJ) Library
If the inaugural session of ALSC’s new online continuing ed courses is any indication, they’re going to be a great success! In “classes” powered by the software program, Moodle, librarians gathered online to participate in Sharing Poetry with Children, Reading Instruction and Children’s Books, The Technology-Enhanced Library Professional, and in my case, The Tech Savvy Booktalker.
Recent library school graduates are likely familiar with online classes and should find the format familiar and easy to work with. Less tech-savvy librarians should take the plunge and learn the benefits of online classes. Online courses run asynchronously; participants log in and participate when it’s most convenient for them, not the instructor. It’s easy to catch up on what’s happened in class since your last login. Online courses allow us to learn new skills without leaving the library for the day and wasting time (and gas!) on travel. Of course, nothing takes the place of interaction with other librarians, and there is plenty of that available online as well.
In Nancy Keane’s Tech Savvy Booktalker class, we had high tech fun. Public and school librarians created booktalking podcasts, comic strips, music videos, movie shorts and more! We’re not experts (yet!), but we’ve discovered so many new ways to promote books and reading to media savvy kids!
When the next session of ALSC online continuing ed courses rolls around, be sure to check it out!
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