Professional Travel Grants for Graduate Students
Posts tagged Paige Jaeger
Great Conference
9 years
The two days I spent at the VaASL conference filled my mind with so many new ideas and understandings about the impact that a school librarian can make on learning in the school. Paige Jaeger’s remarks inspired me to strive for a higher standard for myself because my work with students can make the difference in preparing them to participate in society as literate citizens. There were so many interesting sessions that it was difficult to choose which one to attend. I learned about new books as well as how to use old standards in new and exciting ways. The technology sessions revealed lots of great ways to use tools to improve instruction both in the library and throughout the school. Walking around the vendor area helped me better understand the resources that I can utilize to strengthen my collection. One of the best parts of the conference was spending time with my Longwood classmates!
VAASL Conference 2014
9 years
I had a wonderful time attending the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VaASL) conference this November in Roanoke, Virginia. I enjoyed meeting experienced librarians and attending a variety of sessions. Here were some of the highlights:
- Listening to Thursday’s keynote speaker and leading researcher on sustained silent reading, Stephen Krashen. He highlighted a 2013 study from the UK which showed that reading books often at the age of 10 and reading books more than once a week at the age of 16 has a greater impact on student reading ability than any other factor, including socioeconomic status, being read to as a child, visiting the library, or the education of the parent. This study, along with much of Krashen’s other research, supports my current school’s focus on SSR and continued commitment to giving students time to read choice novels during the school day!
- Learning about new types of technology, such as Voki, where students can select an avatar of their choice to read a piece of text, or record their own voice reading the information. By using the program, students are given a way to publish their work and develop a larger audience than just the teacher.
- Attending the session titled “Repackaging Research for the Hyper-connected Millennial.” In the session, the Paige Jaeger explored ways to increase the rigor and relevance of research projects by focusing on essential questions that encourage inquiry, vocabulary of the discipline, and a knowledge product. She gave numerous examples on how to transform a research packet into a purposeful assignment that encourages students to wonder, investigate, find meaning, discover, synthesize, and draw conclusions from what they learn.
Overall, the conference was a worthwhile experience. I am excited to use my newfound knowledge however I can throughout the school year!
VAASL Annual Conference November 6 – 8, 2014
9 years
The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center in Roanoke, Virginia was a great location for the annual Virginia Association of School Librarians conference. The hotel provided the space necessary for all the wonderful sessions and participants. There were so many presentations offered that I could not attend them all. The highlights of my trip included the Keynote speakers, Stephen Krashen and Paige Jaeger, both of whom I enjoyed so much that I attended their concurrent sessions. I was pleased to listen to Neal Shusterman discuss his novels, writing and favorite authors. Paul Barron taught valuable Google search methods, and librarians and teachers shared classroom ideas – many of which I will be able to incorporate into my own curriculum. The first timers breakfast was a treat, as were all the door prizes. The VAASL Annual Conference is definitely not to be missed!
Amy Miska VAASL Conference 2014
9 years
Amy Miska
I really enjoyed my time at this year’s conference! I attended my regional conference last March and I have to say that both conferences were so well put together and informative. As a library student the classes I attended and the people I met have paid great dividends! I look forward to using the knowledge gained in the years to come as I pursue my career as a librarian.
I arrived Friday for the lunch and the afternoon courses. I also was able to see the key note speaker, Paige Jaeger who gave her address, “Heart-to-Heart Talk for Librarians.” She discussed ways to reach the seemingly unreachable millennials.
On Saturday I was able to attend a few sessions as well. I thoroughly enjoyed the Makers space classes I took as I see this as a firm direction that I am leading toward. It is so important to give children a chance to discover, try, fail, try again and learn experience that is so often lost in our test driven curriculum. I was also excited to learn tips and ideas on how to run a Family Reading Night in my library. Learning about what Google is and can do for you was another great course that really peaked my interest and makes me want to learn more.
I found all of my instructors to be knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The courses were relevant and the 45 minute time slots to be appropriate for the content.
VAASL 2014 Annual Conference: Nov. 7-8. 2014
9 years
Maura Madigan
I went to the Spring Regional, so this was second experience with a VAASL conference and once again I was really impressed. It was difficult to choose among the selection of concurrent sessions. They all looked so interesting! I was able to attend sessions on both Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, adding to my professional toolkit as a teacher and future librarian.
The best sessions I attended were “How Google Work,” “Standards in Action,” “Making Space for a Makerspace,” and “Makerspaces in Elementary Libraries.” I’m a proponent of problem-based learning, so I found the makerspace sessions particularly interesting. Both sessions offered concrete ways to get started and management tips. Once I become I librarian I would love to have a makerspace in my library.
The key-note speaker, Paige Jaeger, was both entertaining and informative. She discussed the challenges we face with millennial students and how to overcome these. Friday evening I attended the author banquet with Neal Shusterman. I’ve read Unwind, so hearing his inspiration for this novel was a highlight. I bought a copy of his second book and had it signed for my daughter. The conference was great professional development. It was also a way to connect with librarians from all over Virginia and to share ideas. (more…)