We’ve seen 3-D printers shift from cool niche products to supposed must-haves. But are we achieving the dream or just printing tchotchkes?
LittleBits Announces STEAM Student Set at SXSWEdu
By on March 8, 2016
LittleBits has launched the STEAM Student Set, the first version of the popular electronic building blocks geared for the education market.
EBook Reader Ownership Falls. Duh.
By on November 4, 2015
A Pew Research Center survey has discovered something that some might be surprised to read: “Today, about one-in-five adults (19%) report owning an e-reader, while in early 2014 that share was a third (32%).” This is quite a notable drop, especially considering that MP3 player ownership has dropped only slightly in the same period. One […]
Survey: Library Ebook Growth Slowing but Still Substantial
By on October 30, 2014
Ninety-five percent of public libraries currently offer ebooks to patrons, up from 72 percent in 2010, and 89 percent in both 2012 and 2013. However, money remains the biggest impediment for libraries looking to add ebooks or expand collections, according to Library Journal’s fifth annual Ebook Usage in U.S. Public Libraries report, sponsored by Freading. The growth in demand for ebooks has cooled during the past four years, although as the report notes, this “is only because [ebooks] have become less of a novelty and more mainstream.”
Westport Maker Space Expands with Robots, SolidWorks Courses, and Volunteer Training
By on October 16, 2014
The Westport Library’s ongoing efforts to support its Maker Space, including Maker in Residence programs and the recent acquisition of two programmable robots, have helped establish a virtuous cycle in which residents have begun working on their own projects and helping one another independently.
SLJ Reviews zSpace, a 3-D Platform for the Classroom
By on October 8, 2014
Educator Jason Sellers reviews zSpace, which enables users to view and manipulate objects in a unique, immersive experience.
Queens Library Develops Innovative New Tablet Platform Using Superstorm Sandy Donation | TDS14
By on October 7, 2014
When superstorm Sandy hit the east coast in October 2012, the Queens Library (QL) in New York was among many northeastern library systems affected. QL persevered, continuing to offer crucial services in storm-ravaged communities while rebuilding damaged branches. The system also managed to turn a generous corporate donation into an innovative new platform for tablet computers, enabling a tech lending program that has since continued to grow.
Lessons From Rebuilding a Server
By on August 11, 2014
As scary as this statement is, I’m my own SysAdmin. This does not come from choice, mind you, but necessity. Sure, I could farm out server administration like many do, but I’ve never found the complete flexibility and power from such arrangements that having your very own server provides. So I make do. And “making […]
SLJ Reviews the AWE Tablet: A fast device, delivering blended content to individual students
By on August 11, 2014
Chad Sansing assesses AWE’s tablet device, with advice on its potential use in the classroom.
Penn State’s One Button Studios Now Used 4,500 Times Per Year
By on August 7, 2014
The two “one button” simplified video recording studios at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) Library’s Tombros and McWhirter Knowledge Commons have proven exceptionally popular and are now used for about 4,500 recording sessions per year.
