I really appreciate the ELM resources. Without them our school would not have access to any subscription databases. The closest we get is the WebPath Express portion of Destiny. Just recently, I made "Research" folder on the second grade iPads that includes a direct link to Encyclopedia Britannica at the elementary level. We are also discussing how to reach these resources from home or outside of school. I tried with varying success to link to other ELM resources this way. It must have something to do with authentication. The library pages on our school website have featured ELM resources for years. As much as I see the benefits of the ELM elementary databases... many are simply text. I think the Encyclopedia Britannica has the most inviting format. I think being able to keep track of research through personal folders, My Britannica, etc. is also an interesting opportunity. Although I've mentioned this...I doubt many have taken advantage. Our students are not doing quite as much research as I think they may in the future as they will be asked to produce more and more evidence of their learning through projects saved and shared in different ways online. I'm trying to work with our high school tech to make a link or folder on the desktop of the 1-1 devices.
Destiny can be used from mobile devices, and I believe Destiny also has an app, but we need to complete the latest update to be able to use it. I've been waiting for some technical information and passwords from the tech director to move forward with this. He seems hesitant or being in his first year in our district unsure about completing this task. I believe he would also like to see us look into Library World which provides a circulation platform for less money. Now with the possibility of a SELS eBook consortium, I'm hesitant to make changes until we know what products will work well together.
Teachers are so busy keeping up with new challenges being added to their responsibilities in addition to all the things that have kept teachers plenty busy over the years...time to meet with them and time to implement the opportunities we have in classes with students seem to lag behind the knowledge I have about those opportunities. I even wonder what my priority list should be when it comes to implementation were I given a free reign in a dream world of time and resources. And I am also well aware that there is much I don't know. For now, though my biggest stumbling block is implementing what we already know and have access to.
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