Going Digital

Digital Content

Whilst I was at ACS, the librarians from all 4 campuses decided it was time for the system to make an investment in digital content. We did a lot of research on ebook publishers, providers, platforms, digital rights management, and prices. We also surveyed students, teachers and parents about current usage and devices. We decided on using Follett Library's digital reader and content for ebooks. We also decided on Catalist, a subvendor of Follett, to use for audiobooks. We were already using Follett's library management software, Destiny, and this way all of the content would be housed within a framework teachers and students were comfortable with. I ended up co-writing and presenting the proposal (read it here), which was passed and implemented. We purchased £10,000 worth of digital content to be shared by the four campuses, and they proved to be very popular! It was great timing for the Hillingdon campus, as we are rolling out the 1-to-1 iPads that year. Usage was high, and fortunately the students continued to read as many traditional books as they always have! It will be interesting to see how the digital world and paper world coexist in the future, but for now they have managed to co-exist in international school libraries.

Technology Team/iPad 1-to-1 Program

Of the three London campuses, ACS Hillingdon was chosen to lead the way with technology, and I was asked to join the IT Strategic Team. We worked together to write and implement technology policies and procedures and to trial an iPad initiative. My first year the Middle School trialed a 1-to-1 iPad program with grade 6 to great success, so this year we are in the process of rolling out iPads to all students. I have been developing and teaching lessons on library, research, reading and note taking apps to both students and teachers. It has been a massive project that the community has embraced, and the integration of technology, especially using the iPads, has been a fun and exciting adventure.

Teacher Tutorial for Library Apps