DIGITAL LITERACY & PRE-K LEARNERSAdvantages of the AWE Learning Station in Library

Settings

Digital Literacy in Infants and Toddlers

• Skill development in Pre-Kindergarten learners.

• Appropriate tools for the job.

• Library programming and the availability of age-appropriate technology.

• Programming versus ongoing services.

When does digital literacy begin?

• From birth, children have access to a range of technologies (Barone & Mallette, 2013).

• This exposure results in the development of a variety of skills, knowledge, and understanding.

• Used properly, technology and interactive media can optimize opportunities for young children’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and linguistic development (Fred Rogers Center, 2012).

• By the time they enter school, the majority of children are already confident using a tablet, smartphone, or laptop.

• In an independent study of 2000 households, over 40% of parents said that their 3-year-olds regularly used tablets or smartphones at home (Maitland, 2013).

• For those children without access to digital media, AWE learning stations are an excellent way for libraries to help close the digital divide and ensure that all children will start school ready to learn.

Handheld Devices vs. Fixed Learning Centers

• Handheld devices have the advantage of portability and plasticity.

– Parents can use them on the go and choose which apps to load onto the devices.

• Fixed learning centers are designed for heavy use and programmed in accordance with best practices recommendations.

– Designers recognize the need to child proof devices and create programs that align with educational guidelines for the intended users.

Library Programming

• Libraries throughout the U.S. are creating programs that both integrate smart devices as well as help parents make choices regarding which apps to choose for their children.

– Media mentoring (Williams, C., 2014).

• Smart devices such as ipads and e-readers are being made available to patrons, along with instruction on how to use them.

Programming vs. Services

• In addition to the programs being implemented to assist in the development of digital literacy, many libraries are now providing services, such as the AWE Early Learning Centers, for parents and children.

• These services are not intended to replace programming but rather to supplement it, by providing patrons with options between program times.

– Parents with very young children often visit the library during late mornings or early afternoons, when there are no programs available.

The AWE Learning Station

• Advantages over handheld technology

• Skill building and education

• Cost efficacy

• Safety

• Maintenance and upgrades

Advantages of AWE over handheld devices

• One of the greatest advantages of the AWE Learning Center is the way in which it encourages parental involvement.

Unlike handheld devices, the AWE stations are large enough for parents and children to work together in a truly interactive manner.

• The AWE Learning Center is an all-in-one device that comes with age-appropriate software included.

• AWE literacy stations are an easy choice for educators as they fall into the interactive type of screen along with its content being purely educational, unlike some apps that say they are educational but lack the substance of AWE programing.

AWE and Every Child Ready to ReadAccording to AWE literature, the 5 practices that are a part of Every Child Ready to Read initiative are integrated into the AWE learning stations.

In addition to early literacy based programming, libraries that feature AWE learning stations are providing an additional hands-on learning experience for both young children and their caregivers.

What the AWE Learning Center offers Pre-K learners

• The latest version features more than 70 educational software programs (featuring hundreds of activities) spanning all seven curricular areas (AWE, 2014).

• Bilingual interface – English/Spanish.• Touchscreen gestures added to the

touchscreen desktop platforms.

• Multitouch and multiplayer collaboration.

• Increased support for Community Learning initiatives via more directed early learning content.

Cost Efficacy

• For smaller libraries with less funding, the AWE Learning Centers are far more cost effective than purchasing multiple handheld devices. (AWE, 2014)

• The cost of the most recent version of the AWE bilingual touchscreen desktop system is less than that of a half dozen ipads.

– There is no risk of loss from theft.

Safety

• The AWE Learning Center is a stand alone unit that is not connected to the Internet.

• All content has been designed and uploaded by the AWE company.

Upkeep and Upgrades

• Because the AWE Learning Center is a standalone unit, maintenance and upgrades are provided by the company (avoiding loss of time and resources by library staff).

• AWE provides both warranty and service packages, and will come to your site to provide service.

Who’s Using AWE?And what are they saying?

• Usage Statistics• Reviews

Where to Find AWE Learning Centers

Locations 8,873Digital Learning Solutions 19,117

Learning Hours 167,119,314

AWE Learning Centers are found in libraries and classrooms all over North America. Statistics from the company website report the following:

Reviews – Success Stories

Successful libraries featured on AWE website:• Shelburne Public Library

– Partnerships with local school board and homeschoolers

• Phoenixville Public Library– Demo showed kids are automatically attracted to AWE stations and

think it is just fun

• Librarians at PLA Conference 2013– Extremely popular with the kids– Easy to maintain– Achieves promoting early literacy goals

Review – Cleveland Public Library • The AWE Early Literacy Stations are one part of the CPL’s

push in closing the education gap. – The touch screen computers come preloaded with games that

span multiple curriculum areas—from reading to graphic arts to STEM subjects to music.

• 4 year old Isabel is part of an early literacy experiment at CPL using AWE stations– To Isabel’s father, spending time on the stations is a way to

help his daughter get an early start using digital tools, a skill he believes will be core to her success as she grows.

(Source: School Library Journal)

Review – Long Hill Township Library • Product review in American Libraries• Interview with YA librarian Victoria Kulikowski (from Long Hill

Township Library, Gillette NJ)– ”As a librarian with limited technological resources (small

library in a community less than 10,000) it is great to be able to offer a digital product with such variety that requires very little additional support in resources e.g. internet connection. Still able to offer children and parents a sound computer literacy experience.”

Funding Proposal

In our opinion this is a sound proposal for achieving the library’s early literacy goals based on the success of libraries that have received funding to purchase AWE learning stations.

References

AWE makes early learning easy. (2014). American Libraries, 45(3/4), 63. retrieved fromhttp://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=94770825&site=ehost-live

AWE learning solutions.(2014) In the Library. Retrieved from http://www.awelearning.com/en/markets/libraries/publiclibraries/

Barack, L. (2014, March). Cleveland public library pushes out 54 early literacy stations. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2014/03/featured/cleveland-public-librarys-literacy-stations-entice-kids-into-thinking-learning-is-play-time/#_

Gentry, R.J. (2010). Raising confident readers: How to teach your child to read and write from baby to age seven. Cambridge: Da Capo Press.

References

Maitland, J. (2013). Technology: How Young is Too Young? Retrieved from http://www.itv.com/news/2013-11-28/tonight-too-young-for-technology/

Moses, A.,M. (2013). What, when, and how electronic medica can be used in an early literacy classroom. In Barone, D & Mallette, M. Best Practices in Early Literacy Instruction. (pp.96-118) New York: Guilford Press.

NAEYC / Fred Rogers Center. (2012). Technology and interactive media as tools in early childhood programs serving children from birth to age eight.