From Chalkboard to Tablets presentation in DC

From Chalkboard to Tablets was presented in DC on April 19, 2013. I told myself if I was ever in the area I was going to attend one of the presentations given by Julie Evans.

I have multiple interests in the data provided by Speak Up National Research Project for the last 10 years:

• As a parent of a high school student attending a school, in a district, with a NO mobile device policy
• As a custodial GParent of a youngster growing up digital
• As a doctoral student
• As an employee who needs the next generation to be able to defend the nation's cyber interests

The report, From Chalkboard to Tablets, presentation, press releases and  the Congressional Briefing are available from the site.

The panelists provided a positive presentation and information about some schools that are integrating technology but as many of us know this is not the majority. While we have diverse tech skills amongst employees, students, educators, parents/GParents and those with access, when you look at the workforce replacements (current K-12) the diversity exists. Of course, the time with the panelists went quickly. I would still like to know the impact on students and educators who transfer in and out of the districts that have the great technology integrated programs. Due to career progression, economic factors, or military families I can only wonder what options do students have when transferring in and out of the technology integrated schools. Maybe another data set for the Project Tomorrow Team ?

I am glad I attended and met Julie. The next session is scheduled for June 4, 2013, 12-1330 @ the Capitol Visitor Center, House Visitor Center, Room 201 with a panel of Students. If you would like to attend, RSVP Jenny Hostert @ jhostert@tomorrow.org where the theme of the presentation is "Celebrating 10 years of giving a voice to students!"

Searching yourself?

One of the first tasks we do in the workshops I facilitate at the library is to have participants search themselves so they are aware of the information that is associated with their name, aliases, and screen names.


We use Google, cvgadget, iSearch, Googlism and some participants are surprised what they discover. While we can talk about the importance of a digital footprint we discover the importance of searching yourself online. I let them Google my name. Explaining the importance of verifying sources makes an impact when the entries that appear show my name, with a different middle initial, a different state, different age but a convicted sex offender. How do they know it is not me? We compare details and images but for those who do not know me they are only going what they learn about me from previous participants, follow me on Twitter, connected through Linkedin or through my blog how do they really know who I am?


I encourage them to take ownership of their digital footprint before they apply for a job, scholarship, volunteer opportunities, or any other possibility where they can connect with others. While I have background checks conducted by the various organizations that I apply for as a volunteer and different states requirements for substitute teaching, I have a security clearance because of my career with the military. So I assure them that I am safe and another reason for us to meet in the library where everyone can look, listen, and learn from everything we do in the workshops. Trust but verify is just another step as we challenge individuals to become self aware and empowered.


This blog post was engendered by a retweet I did of EdTechSandyK 's tweet, "Student Googles Himself, Finds Out He is Wanted for Murder". 

Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project published a report on May 26, 2010 by Mary Madden and Aaron Smith, titled:  Research Reputation Management and Social Media: How people monitor their identity and search for others online. This article addresses several major trends have indicated growth in activities related to online reputation management.

What is your favorite search tool when seeking information about yourself? Do you have a story like the young man in the story that discovered his name associated with a murder warrant? How do you manage your digital footprint when a search produces information about your name but not necessarily you? 

What are you doing with Google Books?

Create your own Library in Google Books. Add books to your digital footprint. Find relevant information about your favorite book in the book overview, with book reviews, common terms and phrases, web references, maps, and other information associated with the book.

College students - Add the textbooks for courses. Save $$ if the textbook you need for the course is available online. Document all of the textbooks required for course work. Easy access to all references used in assignments. You can view My Library.

Avid readers - Add the books you read. Your Library becomes a quick reference point whether you are at the library or the bookstore.

Summer readers - Keep track of all the books you read during the summer.

Students - Keep track of all the books read during a school year, a favorite subject, or create a reference point for the books you have read.

Parents - Keep track of all those bedtime stories you read.

Employers - Share your reading list with others.

Educators - Add the textbooks your students are assigned to read, create supplemental reading lists to share, and/or subscribe to other educators' libraries through RSS.

Check the history of Google Books.

Search for book and magazine content using Advanced Search options.

Read about the future of Google Book Search in the groundbreaking agreement with authors and publishers.

Your Library is associated with your Google profile. So as you are discovered through your digital footprint, future employers, college recruiters, parents, future educators will see the books associated with your Google profile.

You can follow Google Books on Twitter @googlebooks and/or subscribe to the Google Books blog.

Share your Google Books library link or share your method of using Google Books.