Back to school

It has been a long time since I was in school; a long time since I took an actual course on anything. Tons of workshops, intensives, day-longs, etc., but not a course! Well kids, I’m back in school! I am in the last week of a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) offered through ALA Editions eLearning. The course is called “The Book as iPad App” and is being taught by Nicole Hennig — and there are over 80 people in the class! Of course, I never see them, but there’s opportunity to interact in forums, homework assignments, and online chats. I can go to class in my flannel PJs from my house in the woods. I can do my assigned readings and reviews on the weekend when I have time. I can nip in to the forums at lunch break and see what others are posting about the readings. But best of all, I have stepped outside my normal day-to-day interactions and pushed myself to learn about something that I must honestly say I was very hesitant to delve into. I want my picture books to be printed on paper, I want to hold them and turn the pages and make them come alive with my own songs and chants and actions. But kids and parents want more, so, there I must tread as well. And so I have. I love the Three Pigs Popup Book app. Sandra Boynton’s books are pretty dang cute as apps. I can’t wait to use my Felt board app in a Storytime. I am so glad that I took the leap and decided to take this course. It has been fun being a student, on my own terms, my own time, and has sent me in directions I intend to follow. If you are a librarian out of school for a while like myself, I highly recommend this experience!