I was invited by Padma to speak briefly to the May staff this afternoon about the iPad, and children's apps in general. I wanted to create a handout for further reading and exploring, then realized I could just post all the links here at Tech Talk!
I've been gathering resources for a few months. This is a fascinating area, one that touches on a range of issues:
*children's development (What amount of screen time is appropriate for children physiologically, socially, and cognitively? What is beneficial and exciting about interactive digital media? What can be detrimental?)
*collection development issues for libraries (Should libraries be providing access to these apps? How so? To whom? If so, should libraries provide access to just the book apps, or to all games and educational apps as well?)
*evaluation criteria (How do we tell if a children's app is any good? Who is reviewing these apps? Can we trust their judgment? How should libraries be assisting parents and caregivers with selecting apps?)
What are the issues you are thinking about?
Here's my kind of long list of links and resources:
OVERVIEW BLOG POSTS
From the Cooney Center (the research arm of Sesame Street)
The iPad according to Twitter
From the ALSC Blog:
iPad and Smart Phone Apps for Kids
Added 5/24/11: What are people saying about iPads for kids? Read this post, then read the comments for a peek at the various sides of this discussion. Why Every Child in America Needs an iPad
VINCI
Site for the Vinci, a tablet designed for children 3 and under
SCREENTIME
American Academy of Pediatrics has a 10-year-old recommendation for screen time limits for young children.
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood wrote a letter with recommendations about children and screen time to NAEYC last year. NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) is currently revising their position statement on Children and Technology.
iPADS IN THE LIBRARY
This library is letting families “check out” an iPad loaded with learning apps while they are in the library. This is their blog, which reviews some apps and reports on their first day of the service. Unfortunately, the blog hasn't been updated since January.
The Houston Public Library is piloting an iPad in the library program
REVIEWING
Elizabeth Bird, who writes the Fuse #8 blog for School Library Journal, wrote this article about reviewing children’s book apps, and developing selection criteria for this new media.
Kirkus Reviews is now reviewing children’s book apps.
Kid Lit Apps is a blog written by a children’s literary agent, who writes about children’s book apps and digital books.
E is for Book has a post with links to app reviewers
Best Apps for Kids is a review site
Added 5/24/11: A recent review of favorite apps by School Library Journal advisors. I like this round up because they discuss WHY they like these apps.
EDUCATION
iPads in the Classroom is a site from educator Kathy Schrock. She has lists of apps she has downloaded for K-12 classroom support as well as links to web resources on classroom iPad use
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Melissa did such a great job with the quick and speedy version of apps that might appeal to kids and parents. Thank you Melissa!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt generated great discussion among staff to perhaps have ipads available for parents and children to check out and play with it.
As we move closer to getting stronger and better with how to manage ipads use in a public library setting, I'm sure that is totally possible.
Another question brought up by MA library staff to Melissa was - can ipads be offered like a program resource kit on a rotation basis? They were asking Melissa if she would consider hosting a progam for parents and children similar to what she shared at the meeting - because patrons always learn new things and get confident with what's out there with library resources.
Padma