As a child I hated reading logs.  It was a nuisance to interrupt the "flow" of reading by writing down answers to prescribed questions.  Did my teachers even know if I finished reading these books?  Ever couple of weeks we submitted another index card with basic information including title, author, main characters, setting, conflict, resolution, climax, theme, plot, and opinion of the book.  Back then we didn't have the internet to copy from, but we did have our friends who could give us the Cliff Notes versions of books.  A few favorite books and authors stand out in my mind, but the index cards couldn't capture my true feelings about what I had read (or didn't read).

For some students, not much has changed.  There are still teachers who require reading logs, although brief, that record the number of minutes/pages read, a summary, and the authoritative parent/guardian signature to verify that their child had indeed fulfilled the reading requirement for the night.

With technology our students can learn through multimedia.  Shouldn't they express themselves through multimedia as well?  A Wakelet multimedia reading log gives students the opportunity to interact with a text, reflect on their reading, curate information that they find interesting, and organize their digital creations.  And with Immersive Reader Technology by Microsoft, Wakelet multimedia reading logs can be read aloud and even translated.  Now students, their classmates, and their teachers can have meaningful conversations about their reading lives.    

Feel free to copy my template:
​https://wke.lt/w/s/_IKPSe

Here is a multimedia reading log example for "Hacking School Libraries":

As a matter of fact, yes.  Yes, I'm going to wear that apron in the library and here's why...
1. Making is messy.
2. Here's to the end of calling myself from the library phone to find my cell phone.
3. Who needs to see the sauce spot on my shirt from my lunch?
4. A granola bar is just what a teacher needs to wolf down on between classes.
5. It's always handy to have a pen and post-it notes to jot more things down on the endless "To Do" list.
6. Librarians are always "cooking up" something, especially during book tastings.
7.  Pockets are perfect for holding change for kids who forgot their lunch money.
8. Students can scan the QR code on my apron to access their Flipgrid of book recommendations.
9. If students are already late to their next class, don't waste time by finding a hall pass.
10. Book fairs can be busy, and an apron can help you be organized.

I just love this photo of my co-author Stony Evans and his co-librarian during a book tasting.

Here's a cool hack:
Use Wakelet, Buncee, or Flipgrid create a digital cookbook. Then print the generated QR code on an apron. You will have access to a wonderful collection of recipes whenever you scan a QR code.  What a wonderful gift for a teacher if each child submitted a recipe from their culture.

So proud to be able to present one of my favorite tools (Wakelet!) with three of my favorite people (Kathi Kersznowski, Amy Storer, and Brad Dale!)

​​Wake Up! Top 10 Ways to Boost Productivity and Creativity With Wakelet - ISTE 2019 People's Choice Panel Presentation 

Wakelet Webinar: Top 10 Ways to Use Wakelet in the Classroom

10 Awesome Ways to use Wakelet in School Libraries
https://blog.wakelet.com/2019/02/19/use-wakelet-libraries/

Some of my favorite professional development moments are during Twitter chats.  Last night while moderating the monthly #wakeletwave chat (archived under the portfolio tab), I saw Erin Flanagan's post about monthly newsletters that she had created.

Erin's idea was simple, user friendly, and a timesaver...all ingredients for an epic hack!  This immediately got my mind going.  What about a Wakelet newsletter template that LIBRARIANS could use? So here it is...

Save time and money by using Wakelet to create a library newsletter each month! With Immersive Reader technology by Microsoft, your newsletters will automatically be read aloud and even translated. Embed the newsletters on your website, and share them through email, social media, or Remind. Remember...this is just a template to get you started. Have fun and be creative by adding your own images, videos, links, tweets, PDF files, and Google Docs. 

1. Log in to Wakelet.
2. Make a copy of the newsletter at 
https://wakelet.com/@lieberrian.  Scroll down until you see my logo.
​3. Edit it by deleting, adding, and modifying information. 4. Then share it with your students, their families, and your colleagues.
5. Each month you can copy, create, and title a new newsletter.

TEMPLATE LOGO

LIVE VERSION OF THE NEWSLETTER TEMPLATE

IMMERSIVE READER DEMONSTRATION

What is Immersive Reader?

Immersive Reader is a free tool by Microsoft EDU that helps users to read, track, and even translate.  It's a game changer for special education students and English language learners.  With its universal design, users can opt in to use Immersive Reader without feeling stigmatized
​

​Immersive Reader Wakelet Demonstration

Put your teachers in the driver's seat.  Create a Breakout EDU (physical or digital), create Wakelet collections of apps, web tools, articles, or teaching strategies for them to discover.  When they document their learning with Flipgrid they can earn their next clue.  Try this at your next faculty meeting or conference day. Check out the "Epic Breakout EDU Appsmash Challenge" that Melissa Bazner and I created for ISTE 2019:
https://conference.iste.org/2019/program/search/detail_session.php?id=112201625

Dear New Teachers,
If you aren't going to create a website, PLEASE use Wakelet to create a digital portfolio for your resume. Potential employers should be able to "Google" you & see a positive digital footprint. Make it easy for them & curate your awesomeness. 

Check out mine at ​https://wakelet.com/@lieberrian