Innov8: Library Love

When you think of libraries, do you picture an older building with stacks of ancient books, a towering card catalogue cabinet and a stern librarian watching your every move?

Today’s libraries are very different from those of the past (although that librarian is probably still watching you.) Libraries offer access to tools, technology and training that is essential to the economic and cultural lives of communities. They are places of creativity where students can meet to use a 3D printer, edit a video or use software to record their own music.

So in celebration of National Library Week and its 2017 theme “Libraries Transform,” here are eight innovative education resources also created to transform and support 21st-century learning.

#NewSchools & #EdTech Tools

1. Math Stepping Stones

#EdTech News | @origomath Launches Stepping Stones 2.0 Comprehensive Math Instructional Program for Grades K-6 | https://t.co/lzk5KGh00n

— The EdTech Roundup (@ETRoundup) April 5, 2017

We here at Getting Smart love a good math app, and are happy to highlight this development.

Digital Developments

2. Fake News Fighters

#Facebook and #Google reveal how they plan to fight #fakenews – BGR https://t.co/Z3nlzoKgFv

— Keith Winter (@leadsfortweets) April 10, 2017

We’ve all needed a little help recognizing fake news at one time or another.

Dollars & Deals

3. Data Pitch 

Europe funds another data accelerator to get startups tackling societal problems https://t.co/L2rir8xpYW by @riptari

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) April 9, 2017

This is an interesting new initiative in line with Cause + Code that should make a real difference for many Europeans.

Planting a #SEAD

4. SEL Panorama

Measuring Social-Emotional Learning – via Panorama Education – see archived webinar https://t.co/kaWFEUCnrO #ocsb #SEL pic.twitter.com/jFegb7Baye

— Tom D’Amico (@TDOttawa) December 18, 2016

Assessing SEL can be a real challenge, but there are a number of reliable strategies that can help.

#EdPolicy Pieces

5. ESSA Report

How States Can Promote Local Innovation, Options, and Problem-Solving in Public Edu https://t.co/nOU0VYX1U1 @CRPE_UW #EdPolicy pic.twitter.com/MBIqI5yTlw

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) April 10, 2017

We recently highlighted 6 Ways States Can Redefine Student Success and Transform Education Under ESSA.

Let’s Get Personalized

6. Personalized Learning Journey

Report | #PersonalizedLearning: A Journey Through Year One https://t.co/80Ie3ukDuc @RootsElementary @imaginariumDPS @DPSNewsNow #plearnchat pic.twitter.com/wejvMW6MvH

— iNACOL (@nacol) April 10, 2017

#Teachers & #EdLeaders

7. Personalized Learning Shift Webinar

“Communication and Outreach Strategies for Leaders Shifting to Personalized Learning” – iNACOL webinar 4/13/2017 https://t.co/Me2RiIyet3

— Tom Nixon (@tcnixon) April 7, 2017

This is an important conversation, just as it’s important to get family and community support for personalized learning.

Movers, Shakers & Groundbreakers

8. Readiness Bootcamp

Get Soft Skills Training with Penn Foster’s Career Readiness Bootcamp https://t.co/Z3j6KpNLqb via @YouTube

— Mary Ann Riccardella (@riccalady) April 5, 2017

Soft skills and SEL are important for everything from building career readiness to leadership skills.

Have a news item you’d like us to consider for next Wednesday’s edition? Tweet us @Getting_Smart using #innov8 or to email [email protected] with “Innov8” in the subject line. For more ideas on what type of stories we run, check out the full Innov8 series on our blog.

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