SUPER COOL TECH TOOL - Readability Test Tool

If you ever wondered if an online source is at an appropriate reading level for your students, then I have the tool for you! The Readability Test Tool is a quick and easy way to determine the readability of a webpage or selection of text.

I came across this tool by reading Catlin Tucker's blog on blended learning and technology in the classroom. She describes in her post, How Challenging is that Online Text, that The Readability Test Tool estimates the grade level and age of the reader who should be able to easily understand the text. The tool also reports the scores for a variety of readability indicators and statistics about the source.

According to The Readability Test Tool, Tech Tips @ Holton-Arms has an average grade level of about 7 and should be easily understood by 12-13 year olds. Not only could I see this as being a great tool for teachers to be able to more easily select appropriate online sources for their students, but I could also see this tool as an interesting way students to evaluate their own writing. What a super cool tech tool!

Please note, The Readability Test Tool is a personal project of David Simpson, learn more here.

  

MAKING A MAKERSPACE continued

You might remember a recent post on MAKING A MAKERSPACE.

This summer we made major progress in MAKING A MAKERSPACE! While it will take time to know how successful our library updates and changes really are, I am 100% sure that it was the right decision to move the original Makespace to a larger, more accessible and visible space.

The process of turning a library reading room into a Makerspace wasn't easy but it was a ton of fun!. We moved office spaces, the entire fiction collection (multiple times), arranged furniture (multiple times), and of course took several trips to Michael's and IKEA for storage and organizational supplies.

The Makerspace will likely be a work in progress for quite some time (we have big plans!), but I could not be more thrilled with the current state of the project! We have flexible work surfaces that can easily seat up to 16 students, comfy bean bag chairs and a variety of tools and materials for making. 

Now it's time to see how the students use the space and what types of tools materials they request. Let the MAKING begin!

NEW PARENT PRESENTATION

Last week I spoke to Middle School parents about one of my favorite topics, Raising Digital Citizens. If you were unable to attend the coffee, check out the presentation below.

[Holton-Arms Middle School Parent Coffee]

This presentation was updated this year with resources from Common Sense Media, Miss Representation, and Media!Tech!Parenting!, including the Media!Tech!Parenting! Digital Parenting Back to School Checklist. Check it out and let me know what you think!