I’m excited, it looks like there will definitely be another Cool Tools for School learning program for this coming school year. Based on the feedback from the BOCES School Library Systems that participated last year, we’ll have enough participants to run it again. And room to offer it to other regions as well.
After we got started last year, I heard from some SLSÂ directors who said they wished they had known about the project. So this year, I want to make sure everyone knows about it.
For those not familiar with the project, here are some details. The program is conducted completely online. New lessons/topics are posted on a regular basis over about 6 months and participants choose 5 or 10 topics  to explore and then write blog posts about their learning. This project was modeled after Helene Blowers innovative 23 Things project that has been replicated and reinvented many times over the past 8 years.
Last year, we offered 20 different topics for participants to choose from since many people were participating in the program for a second time. There will be more new topics this year. Professional development hours are awarded by each BOCES SLS.  Each system used their own methods for deciding who and how many could participate, depending on budget constraints. Many systems encouraged librarians to collaborate with other teachers.
For more information, take a look at the About the Project and FAQ pages on the project website. If your SLS is interested in participating, let me know and I’ll send you more details. My gmail account is pollyalida, twitter is @pollyalida or post in the SLS Cool Tools Facebook group.
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