AASL National Conference Focuses on 21st Century Learning
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By Rocco Staino -- School Library Journal, 11/09/2009
A record-breaking 2,280 school librarians and educators attended the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) 14th National Conference in Charlotte, NC, from November 5 to 8 to discuss new technologies, gaming, and 21st century learning skills.
“The conference has given thousands of school librarians the opportunity to share strategies and best practices in the teaching and learning process,” says AASL president Cassandra Barnett. “Charlotte has provided us with a national platform to discuss the needs of our increasingly tech-savvy students and the future of the 21st century learner.”
As the largest gathering of school librarians in the nation (this year a total of 3,950 attendees showed up), the conference featured two full-day and five half-day preconference workshops, several school and educational tours, author events, as well as more than 100 continuing education programs and 200 exhibiting companies.
danah boyd, a researcher and social media expert, delivered the conference's opening general session and helped attendees better understand how young people see and utilize social networking sites. “When you make sense of the world as it changes, you can help them make sense of it,” says boyd, who spells her name with
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danah boyd delivered the conference's opening general session |
Best-selling author and school library advocate James Patterson was the keynote speaker at a special author session called “Turbocharge Your Day with James Patterson!–Read Kiddo Read! Parents and Librarians Band Together to Make Kids Lifelong Readers.” Patterson discussed the inspiration behind his new Web site, ReadKiddoRead.com, and discussed the critical importance of getting young people to love reading and learning.
“If we raise a generation of nonreaders, we will be raising a generation of narrow-minded nincompoops," Patterson says.
The author also took the opportunity to criticize Cushing Academy, the nation’s oldest co-ed boarding school, which recently decided to get rid of its entire library print collection. “Libraries are not a luxury, bank bailouts are a luxury,” says Patterson, who paid for his niece to attend the school.
Marco Torres, a filmmaker, teacher, and author who is passionate about helping students become engaged learners and acquire the skills they need to thrive in our 21st century digital culture, delivered the conference's closing general session. He discussed the Internet as the stage on which digital media content is and will continue to be published for a global audience eager to hear the voices of our diverse neighborhoods.
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James Patterson spoke at a special author session. |
Other author sessions included Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak (Farrar, 1999); Sarah Brannen, who wrote the picture book Uncle Bobby's Wedding (Putnam, 2008); Steven Chbosky, author of the often challenged The Perks of Being a Wallflower (MTV, 1999); Linda Sue Park, author of the Newbery Medal-winning A Single Shard (Clarion, 2001); Richard Peck, who also won a Newbery for A Year Down Yonder (Penguin, 2000); and Charles R. Smith, Jr., author of Rimshots (Penguin, 2000).
New to this year’s conference was b there – Your Virtual Track Pass, a viral community that allowed on-demand access to the conference in a virtual setting. The Track Pass featured eight live webinars; speaker updates, materials, and chats; interviews with James Patterson and danah boyd; a webcast of the P21 MILE Guide release; discussion threads; a real-time research symposium; and session podcasts. All materials will be available to conference attendees and b-there registrants for one year. Those AASL members who did not attend the conference may subscribe to the site for $199.
A Blogger’s Café was abuzz with lots of sharing among attendees, with several bloggers presenting un-sessions, unscheduled presentations that were publicized via Twitter during the conference.
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Marco Torres delivered the closing general session. |
This year’s gathering was also the greenest to date, with many new initiatives used to insure a more sustainable conference. Initiatives included AASL's virtual component, b there–Your Virtual Track Pass, which housed all session materials and resources on the Web to reduce paper waste; conference signs made from recyclable materials and printed with eco-friendly ink; conference bags made of eco-friendly materials; and surplus promotional items, books, and bags were donated to local Charlotte charities.
The closing celebration brought more than 1,200 attendees to Charlotte's ImaginOn, a collaboration between a children's public library and children's theater that brings stories to life in ways that challenge, inspire, and excite young minds. Storytellers and tours of the facility were provided to attendees.
For more information on AASL and its 14th National Conference visit http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/conferencesandevents/national/charlotte2009.cfm.
School Library Journal caught up with attendees to ask about their favorite conference highlights.
Amy Zembroski, a school librarian from Franklin, WI. “'Great Gadgets and Sweet Sites' was my favorite. It provided so many great ideas. I can’t wait to spend two days in front of the computer.”
Suzanna Panter, media specialist at Dumbarton Elementary School in Richmond, VA.“I found the keynote speaker, danah boyd, to be eye opening. She said so many things that people needed to hear.”
Terri Orvis, librarian at Dogwood Elementary School in Fairfax, VA. “Kathy Lowe [executive director of the Massachusetts School Library Association] held our hand in creating a lesson plan using the standards. I’m no longer afraid of the standards!”
From left Nancy Everhart, Margaux DelGuidice, Rose Luna.
Deborah Stanley and Michelle Robertson, both media specialists with Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma. “We enjoyed the session called 'Book Banning 2009.' It was great hearing it right from the authors’ mouths. Now I know why we do what we do!”
AASL president-elect Nancy Everhart pointed to the two people next to her and said, “The highlight of the conference is having two of my former library school students here presenting a program!” Margaux DelGuidice, a media specialist at Garden City High School in Garden City, NY, and Rose Luna, a librarian at Freeport Schools in Freeport, NY, presented a session on developing support for your program from your school board and community.
