Technology and Innovation
Workshop
Marijke Visser
Associate Director, Office of Public Policy
American Library Association
Linda Braun, MLIS, MED
Learning Consultant and Ready to Code Initiative Team Member
LEO
Juan Rubio
Digital Media and Learning Program Manager
Seattle Public Library
Cheryl Eberly
principal librarian : Young Adult and Volunteer services
Santa Ana Public Library
What does it mean for a library to be ready to code? How can a ready to code library increase meaningful learning opportunities for diverse youth? Answers to those questions are emerging through the ALA/Google Libraries Ready to Code (RtC) project. Libraries across the United States are learning that in order to support the needs of all youth, RtC activities require working with community partners, building relationships with youth and families, developing outcomes, and knowing how to facilitate effective learning experiences. RtC libraries know there are disparities in access to high-quality computer science activities for youth of color and that it is essential libraries step up to address the gaps.
RtC libraries reach youth and families through connections to local community organizations and programs. Staff engage with young people and their significant adults outside of the physical library space. And they develop family learning opportunities so that adults and youth can learn with and from each other. They also work with youth throughout their community to learn what youth’s interests are and design coding activities that support those interests, while at the same time helping youth to develop critical computational thinking skills.
In this session participants will learn about the RtC project focusing on opportunities for libraries to support diverse youth and families through coding activities. Library staff from libraries that are a part of the RtC project will work with session participants on developing and designing activities just right for the youth in their home communities. Through hands-on participatory activities all that attend this session will be able to answer the question, what does it mean for a library to be ready to code?
Project findings indicate the 115,000 U.S. school and public libraries can make a significant contribution, providing equitable opportunity for youth to build computational thinking skills through coding programs, including increasing the diversity of youth who pursue CS-related education and careers