Digital Shift: Using Technology to Build Early Literacy Skills and Relationships

Saturday, Nov. 8th
3-3:45

Genesis Hansen, Mission Viejo
Allison Tran, Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo Library also worked on a digital literacy type grant with the state library, howveer their grant was specifically focused on JUST digital storytimes. It was about training staff for appvisory, programs, and reaching out to the community as media mentors.

The program started with a quick grant overview, moved into a digital storytime demo, and then ended with lessons learned and questions from the audience.

Digital storytime demo - Allison Tran
- Keynote for format of presentation
- Sock puppet storytime intro app/video (Sock Puppets Plus App)
- Opening song (don't recall seeing song lyrics on any of the screens)
- Pete the Cat (Ebook, no animation)
- MGOL Felt board app
* Ages 3-6 specifically
* Only 10 devices ordered

Allison talked about using traditional elements as well as digital elements. She also talked about using the digital elements as an opportunity to open the floor to discussions with parents about technology. She mentions to parents that she had reservations about using ebooks with her family until she tried them and talked about how it's a book whether it's on a screen or a page.

Specific early literacy skills highlighted - the sock puppet app (when asking parents to use at home with children) promotes narrative skills. Promoting joint use.

My favorite thing was a little song she created to sing when there was a technology mishap -

(To the tune of - "If your happy and you know it")
If the iPad disconnected clap your hands
(Clap, clap)
If the iPad disconnected clap your hands
(clap, clap)
I can fix it it in a second,
I just need to reconnect it,
If the iPad reconnected clap your hands
(clap, clap)

Then she thanks all of the children for helping her to reconnect it by clapping.

She also said they post recommended apps on their website.

Table of Apps

Really quite impressive. I think we may be using some of this .....

Genesis mentioned that the biggest thing was trying to take pressure off the parents. That sometimes they just needed to hand their child a phone to take a shower, etc. and that by not judging parents and meeting them where they are at and recommending more age appropriate apps we can create relationships with the parents and take on a role as media mentors.

Mission Viejo Library