AASL/KidsConnect

[Blythe Bennett <blythe@ERICIR.SYR.EDU>]

Attention AASL members:

KidsConnect is part of AASL's ICONnect technology initiative.  It is an
internet question and answer service for K-12 students based on the
AskERIC model for educators.  KidsConnect volunteers are library media
specialists who are AASL members who volunteer to respond to one or two
email questions each school day for a month, then have a month "off duty",
and so on.

If you are interested in finding a way to help connect students to resources
on the Internet and you would like to learn more about the KidsConnect
Internet question and answer service, please consider becoming a
KidsConnect volunteer.

There will be two new training sessions in April to add to our
list of veteran volunteers.  The training will all be done via email and
one session will be during the week of April 8-12 and another session
will be during the week of April 15-19.  If you are interested but are
unable to participate in April, please let me know and I can add you to
the lists for May or June.



WHAT IS KIDSCONNET?
        * a component of ICONnect, the AASL technology initiative
          dedicated to assist library media specialists, teachers and students
          meet training and support needs for navigating the Internet
        * a question-answering, help and referral service for students on
          the Internet
        * an extension of the library media center to the Internet

KIDSCONNECT GOALS:
        * to meet students' information needs
        * to provide high quality information services in response to
          student needs
        * to help school library media specialists fulfill their roles as
          information skills teachers
        * to connect kids and information on the Internet

WHY LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS?
        * We are uniquely qualified to provide students with assistance
          due to our training and experience with students and the research
          process.
        * We are the best trained group to help students use the Internet
          as an information resource.
        * We refer students back to their own media specialists for
          further resources and professional assistance.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
        * Library Media Specialists who are interested in helping
          students use the Internet effectively for educational purposes
        * Library Media Specialists who are members of ALA/AASL
        * Library Media Specialists who are willing to answer a maximum
          of two KidsConnect questions a day (one month on line, one
          month off)
        * Library Media Specialists with Internet connections

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?
        * Be a member of a professional team who strives to be in the
          forefront of technology use for educational needs
        * Be a member of an innovative national project
        * Interact with dedicated, proactive colleagues on a team of volunteers
        * Provide help to students nationwide, possibly worldwide
        * Extend your library media center to students across the country
        * Opportunity for online training in Internet Q and A

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU?
        * The month your team is on line, you will answer a maximum of
          two questions a day.
        * The month your team is off line, you will provide support and
          continuous improvement for your partner team.

HOW WILL IT WORK?
        * We will arrange teams of 8-10 Library Media Specialists, each
          team with a team leader, and pair them with another team,
          so one month Team A is on-line and Team B is off.
        * We will provide on-line training for volunteers.
        * You will have a chance to specify a preference of grade levels
          and/or subjects to respond to.
        * Through e-mail, students will address a question to a
          central KidsConnect address.
        * Each question will be routed to a volunteer library
          media specialist, who will offer guidance and
          instruction to the student within 48 hours.


We invite you to join with your colleagues in this exciting new service
to students.

                      Reply to blythe@ericir.syr.edu

Blythe Bennett
KidsConnect Coordinator