Harold B. Lee Library

Tech Smart

Tech Smart: Podcasts

October 25, 2010 in 13+ Teen, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week


For teens attached to their MP3 players, Podcasts can be a fresh way for them to get a little extra education while exercising, on the bus, or relaxing in their rooms. Podcasts are episodic broadcasts that listeners can download directly to their MP3 players or computers and listen to at their leisure. Topics range anywhere from TV show discussions to political topics to book readings. Random House has put together a series of podcasts from authors Philip Pullman, Christopher Paolini, and Tamora Pierce. Jump on over and listen as they discuss their writing, their inspiration, and what they’re working on now.

–Debbie Barr, BYU Student, Department of English

Older posts

Tech Smart: Social Networking Do’s

September 20, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Literacy Tips, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week

To leave on a high note, this week we’re featuring some Do’s to include in your social networking discussion with your teen. For the rest of the discussion, click here and here.

Do make friends! For teens that have a hard time finding friends with similar interests, the internet …

Tech Smart: Social Networking Don’ts

September 13, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Literacy Tips, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week

This week we’re featuring some Don’ts to include in your social networking discussion with your teen. For the rest of this discussion, click here.

Don’t share personal information such as last names, phone numbers, addresses, and pictures with those you don’t …

Tech Smart: Social Networking Do’s and Don’ts

September 6, 2010 in 13+ Teen, 9-12 Tween, Literacy Tips, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week

New media is everywhere in the lives of young people today. They can chat on Twitter using their phones, see pictures of prom night on Facebook, and share their thoughts with blogging. A lot of good can be done with social …

Art Smart: Movies and Crafts for Preschoolers and Early Readers

May 3, 2010 in 5-8 Beginning Readers, Art Smart, Book Lists, Create Smart, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Play Smart, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week, Tips of the Week

Parents often use family movie night to build visual and listening skills in their children. Many use family discussion to evaluate children’s understanding of characters, action, and story. Some parents take time to talk about the movie’s themes and family values.

Reading aloud: Developing listening skills

February 1, 2010 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Literacy Tips, Read Smart, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week

To temper the effects of media sound bites and build attention spans, try

listening to stories and books on tape
reading short non-fiction texts, such as news or internet articles together.

Present these readings in contexts where they can be discussed afterward. …

Parents’ Choice

September 29, 2009 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Art Smart, Create Smart, Drama Smart, Featured Websites, For Adults, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Music Smart, Play Smart, Read Smart, Science Smart, Study Smart, Tech Smart, World Smart, Write Smart

Parents’ Choice offers caregivers “reliable unbiased information about tools to help their children learn, to explore new challenges, to discuss ideas and to pursue dreams.”

This first-rate website lists and reviews the Parents’ Choice Award-winning children’s books, audios, DVDs, television programs, …

Tip of the Week: Safety Literacy

September 28, 2009 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 13+ Teen, 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Featured Websites, For Adults, For Young People, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week

Visit McGruff. org for lots of kid-friendly activities and information to help keep children safe. Find stories, games, videos, comic book adventures, desktop toys and wallpaper, posters and more.  McGruff offers advice on bullies, community safety, guns, …

Conexiones: Finding Spanish Language Materials

September 25, 2009 in 0-4 Baby/Toddler, 13+ Teen, 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Bilingual Literacy, Conexiones, Featured Websites, For Adults, For Young People, Literacy Tips, Read Smart, Resource Material, Tech Smart, World Smart

Websites

Barahona Center for the Study of Books in Spanish for Children provides lists of recommended books and allows searching  for books by age or grade level, author, title, subject, bi-lingual editions and more….

Tech Smart: Media Literacy

September 21, 2009 in 13+ Teen, 5-8 Beginning Readers, 9-12 Tween, Featured Websites, For Adults, For Young People, Literacy, Literacy Tips, Social Smart, Tech Smart, Tip of the Week

“Children today are bombarded with messages from newspapers, books, magazines, billboards, television, movies, video and computer games, and music. All too often the message is that violence is an acceptable way to deal with problems.”  For suggestions to balance the influence of media on children, read …