Programs and Activities
Technology
Once you have weeded books and rearranged the furniture, consider how you can use technology to enhance the learning commons. Using technology to create a learning commons program is one of the easiest ways to cut costs. Programs centered around technology can be cheap because of the variety of free, or low-cost, resources available to teachers online. Movie editors, photo labs, art studios, web design, and game creators can be used as the basis of a program or a club. Students can also be taught to use apps for time managements or study skills. Research the cost of ebooks for your library (here). Providing ebooks can free up space in the library and allow students to check out a larger number and wider variety of books.
"According to Code.org, 90 percent of parents in the U.S. want their children to learn computer science—it will be crucial for many jobs in the near future—but only 40 percent of schools teach it" (Davis, 2016). Schools in affluent areas are much more likely to offer computer science classes because they have the resources to do it. Computer science and programming "impacts every career in the 21st century world," so we need to begin preparing our students for it (Davis, 2016). Libraries can take a central role in leveling the playing field by offering computer science and coding programs to their students. Students of every economic background should have the opportunity to acquire these vital skills.
Below, you will find some inexpensive ideas for teaching coding to your students.
"According to Code.org, 90 percent of parents in the U.S. want their children to learn computer science—it will be crucial for many jobs in the near future—but only 40 percent of schools teach it" (Davis, 2016). Schools in affluent areas are much more likely to offer computer science classes because they have the resources to do it. Computer science and programming "impacts every career in the 21st century world," so we need to begin preparing our students for it (Davis, 2016). Libraries can take a central role in leveling the playing field by offering computer science and coding programs to their students. Students of every economic background should have the opportunity to acquire these vital skills.
Below, you will find some inexpensive ideas for teaching coding to your students.