#hyperlib

EdX has released source code to the general public that supports interactive learning built specifically for the Internet.

I prefer change to be human-driven. I’d much rather enable people to become more successful rather than focusing on making the numbers look better. Perhaps it boils down to a question of helping lots of people just a little bit vs. helping fewer people but more significantly. Anyway, that’s not even the direction I am heading with all this. This isn’t about one’s service-persceptive but assessment-perspective. What do we want/need to know to enact change? Or taken further— to foster innovation?

Embedding librarians in local organizations is the cornerstone of community reference. Assignments for embedded librarians vary from branch to branch so as to strategically target organizations that will provide the greatest partnership opportunities. DCL staff are embedded throughout the county in local schools, city councils, metro districts, economic development councils, and even a local women’s crisis center.

he official launch of the The Labs is two months away, and the team is laying the groundwork for what the project will become. Building a functional infrastructure for a project like this requires developing a set of uniform policies and procedures for each Lab site, as well as researching, ordering and cataloging the necessary equipment. While these processes don’t offer the immediate thrills of watching teens develop their filmmaking or music production skills, they are necessary steps to ensure The Labs are a success.

New cables and equipment!
The selection process for equipment and software is based on several factors. Ideas were gleaned from pre-existing digital learning lab models, such as Chicago Public Library’s YouMedia and the Digital Media Lab at Skokie Public Library. The Labs coordinators also consulted with Drew Davidson of Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s programming partners Hip Hop On L.O.C.K and Pittsburgh Filmmakers and the CLP – Main Teen Advisory Council. The overall mission of The Labs also has influence over equipment and software purchases; items are assessed for how accessible and easy they will be to use.

"The Cleveland Public Library is getting a high-tech upgrade — one it says is the first of its kind in any U.S. library. Today, the library unveils TechCentral, its downtown destination for computing and emerging technologies. The center will give visitors access to dynamic, interactive technology unrivaled in any library in the country, said library Executive Director Felton Thomas. Anyone with a library card can toy with tablet computers, print plastic 3-D models, engage in wireless computing and do much more in the 7,000-square-foot center on the lower level of the Louis Stokes Wing.

“Many of our folks don’t have an opportunity to buy this technology,” Thomas said. “Our job is to provide it.”

he mission of the Maker Education Initiative is to create more opportunities for young people to make, and, by making, build confidence, foster creativity, and spark interest in science, technology, engineering, math, the arts—and learning as a whole. We want young people to join—and eventually lead—the growing Maker Movement.
We are launching the Maker Education Initiative at Maker Faire Bay Area (May 19-20, 2012). Our goal is to build on the excitement and inspiration of Maker Faire and explore working with partners in our community to promote more opportunities for children and teens to participate in making activities and develop their own projects as makers.