Findaway World released an improved all-in-one Playaway audio device with new features, including a backlit screen and restyled buttons for multi-tasking, earlier this year.
About Linda W. Braun
Linda W. Braun (lbraun@leonline.com) is the Youth Services Manager at Seattle Public Library, an educational technology consultant, a past president of YALSA, and adjunct faculty at Simmons College Graduate School of Library & Information Science.
Test Driving 3Doodler, the 3-D Pen | screencast tutorial
By on January 8, 2014
While the device may have some improvements in subsequent iterations, the 3-D pen has potential for use with teens, especially with burgeoning maker programs.
SLJ Reviews TouchCast Video Creation App for iPad
By on November 13, 2013
Wouldn’t it be great for kids contemplating a visit to your library to take a video tour before walking in? You can produce this pretty easily with TouchCast, an app for creating video for the iPad, enhanced with linked content: photos, maps, polls, websites, and more. Our screencasts show you how it’s done.
Life Hacking with IFTTT | screencast tutorial
By on September 19, 2013
IFTTT—“If This Then That”—helps you automate tasks in order to better maintain professional learning networks, resources, and schedules. Learn how to find and create recipes on the Web (ifttt.com) or via the new IFTTT iPhone app in this video guide.
Test Driving Oyster, a “Netflix for Ebooks”
By on September 16, 2013
How good is Oyster, the new ebook subscription service? Linda W. Braun puts the application through its paces in a screencast series showing how to get started with Oyster, how to search titles, and what it all means for libraries.
Sharing Public Domain Ebooks with the Book Elf
By on September 6, 2013
The Book Elf is a new tool for getting PD digital content into the hands of readers. Discovery of titles could be improved, but it does have some potential.
From Scratch to Tynker: Tools to Teach Kids How to Code | screencast tutorial
By on July 29, 2013
A screencast tour of four free applications to help kids learn how to code: Daisy the Dinosaur, Hopscotch, Scratch, and Tynker.
Create Your Own Magazines with Flipboard | screencast tutorial
By on April 25, 2013
Now anyone can create a beautiful digital zine of customized content, thanks to Flipboard. In a highly touted feature, version 2.0 of the iconic newsstand app allows users to select content they find on Flipboard to create magazines on any interest or topic. SLJ’s screencast shows you how to make your own publication in the image-rich format, add articles, and publish to the world or select subscribers.
Interactive Storytelling App Versu | screencast tutorial
By on April 2, 2013
In her latest screencast, School Library Journal contributor Linda W. Braun test drives Versu in an assessment that considers the potential of interactive platforms that blur the lines between reader and creator—a particularly compelling concept when it comes to kids and teens.
Make Your Own Infographics | Screencast Tutorial
By on December 9, 2012
You can create infographics—visual representations of data—from scratch using free web tools. Library consultant and educator Linda W. Braun takes you step by step through making your own infographic using easel.ly and info.gram.
