The AASL National Conference is the only national conference devoted solely to the needs of school librarians. In 2021, concurrent sessions focused on AASL's National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries, giving school librarians and other educator attendees an opportunity to dig deep into the guiding document of the profession.
Clearing Out Our Digital Closets
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Think back on all the things you have posted, created, & built online. If your digital/online life were a closet how packed would it be? Now think about your students & their digital lives. How can we aid students in understanding their online behavior while also protecting the legacies & lives they build online? In this session, attendees will engage with the idea of digital lives as well as discuss how the topic of digital legacies/lives can be shared within our learning communities. Attendees will leave with engaging topics to share with students and peer educators.
Speaker(s):
Running a Makerfair - YES YOU CAN!
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Does the idea of hosting a Makefair excite you, but you just don't know where to start? This session will take you through the step-by-step process of hosting a Makefair as well as what pitfalls to avoid. Lake Orion High School has utilized high school students as well as teachers and media specialists from across the district to host stations intended to ignite passions for STEAM in students grades 3-8. You really can do it - this session will show you how.
Speaker(s):
Dual Language Libraries: Philosophy, Collection & Instruction
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Dual language librarians face unique challenges when creating and maintaining collections that serve their staff and students. This session will give librarians a chance to connect with other dual language colleagues, provide them with resources for collection development, and generate ideas for integrating language, literacy and library instruction. The session would also be appropriate for librarians seeking resources to develop or maintain world language collections in their libraries.
Speaker(s):Credits: None available.
What's one way to get students to read a book? Tell them they can’t! In this program, participants will learn about intellectual freedom programming, and how it can be used to develop critical thinking and collaboration skills, reach underserved audiences, broaden perspectives, and develop empathy.
Harnessing the Power of AR and VR to Develop Empathy
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Empathy is an invaluable 21st century skill, which allows us to better understand others’ perspectives in order to be more respectful, compassionate individuals. This session will show you how you can harness the power of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) through a variety of consumption-based and creation-based tools that will open students’ eyes to the world around them and within them as a means for sharing the power of storytelling and promote understanding and empathy.
How Librarians are Using TikTok to Connect with Gen Z Students
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
TikTok is a new social network with viral popularity among generation z, but it’s more than just teen dance challenges. The user-generated video sharing platform is beginning to be embraced by educators as well. Come learn how to use the TikTok application as a tool to connect with your generation z students and build community in digital spaces. This session will provide a basic overview of TikTok and how librarians can use it to promote library services in a digital environment.
Empathy in the Classroom: How a Teacher-Librarian and ELA Teacher Collaborated to Create a Diverse Novel Unit
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
This session will focus on the collaborative efforts to bring authentic conversations about current issues directly relating to underrepresented student populations into the classroom. We will discuss how this evolved from discussion to actuality, opportunities and challenges we encountered, and perspectives on the learning outcomes. We will also discuss the novels chosen and works that could be utilized, and how school librarians can use this to assist ELA teachers to create similar units.
Mentoring School Librarians Matters: Teamwork in Vermont
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Mentoring School Librarians Matters is a professional collaboration between the Vermont School Library Association (VSLA) and the Vermont Affiliate of the National Education Association (Vermont NEA).
Funded through a NEA Great Public Schools Grant, the goal is for EVERY new librarian in Vermont to be mentored by an experienced practitioner trained in mentoring and coaching.
This workshop will describe the transition from idea to reality for a professional mentoring program.
Share Your Story! Getting Started with Professional Writing
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
Start your professional writing journey today! Hear key tips and brainstorm ideas to get started. Walk away with a plan for submission.
Your story matters. School library & other professional publications are fabulous resources, but they are only as good as their content. That’s where you come in. Whatever part of school librarianship sparks your passion or you are most proud of is something others would benefit from reading about. Great for first timers but published writers are welcome too!
Create and Curate a Digital Library
Preview Available
Credits: None available.
With a glut of online information, see how to curate and organize all your online resources using several digital tools. Streamline your digital library for teachers and students, and integrate all your favorite Google and design tools to improve productivity and collaboration, while showcasing good digital citizenship.
