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This past summer, Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian Neil Grimes taught a series of three library instructional sessions for area high school students who participated in the WP Aspiring Educators program. The sessions provided information to students about lesson planning, locating and using resources from the Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), and the importance of using educational technologies as digital learning tools in the P-12 environment. Grimes introduced students to resources such as the Cult of Pedagogy, which includes podcasts and other resources to assist educators with technology integration, and the Teacher's Guide to Technology, a reference source with over 650 digital learning tools and organizations.
In July, the WP Aspiring Educators students began the library instructional series with an introduction to the Library and an overview of the CMC. Grimes guided students through the essential resources available in the CMC that support their research and studies. Students then delved into P-12 educational technologies during their second instructional session. Before the session, students read articles on educational technology and using Google Slides and Bitmoji's to set the stage for an engaging discussion. The session in the library instruction classroom featured an informative presentation followed by a lively Q&A segment as students explored how digital learning tools can enhance learning in P-12 settings. Grimes instructed the students on building their own Google Slides and Bitmoji virtual libraries and classrooms.
The final session of the library instructional series focused on the increasingly relevant topic of AI in education. Grimes discussed the importance of AI in P-12 education and how AI can personalize learning by adapting instructional content to meet individual student needs, enhancing engagement and academic outcomes. Additionally, AI tools can assist educators by automating administrative tasks like lesson planning and providing data-driven insights, allowing teachers to focus more on effective teaching and student support. The session included a 45-minute presentation on the impact of AI on teaching and learning, followed by hands-on activities using AI to generate lesson plans, student learning outcomes, poetry creation, and brainstorming for critical thinking and writing. Students engaged in thoughtful discussions about the ethical implications of AI and potential benefits in educational environments, leaving the session with a deeper understanding of this cutting-edge topic.
Each of these sessions played a crucial role in enhancing our WP Aspiring Educators students' academic experience, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to develop their first lesson plans, along with excelling in their educational journey as future P-12 educators. The Library looks forward to continuing this tradition of providing library instruction for future groups of WP Aspiring Educators.
