Sharing key insights about a recent training session titled "The Literary Voyage - Setting the Sail". The session was conducted in person for School Principals, Coordinators and Library Teachers in KIPS School in Pakistan. The session was developed in google sites with attendance and feedback forms designed in Google Forms. The session plan was designed using Gemini. I shared some guidelines with Gemini and asked Gemini to develop a training session plan for me. Gemini was also able to develop a unique reading passport for the library period which will be stamped by the librarian after every four weeks. With proper guidelines and prompts Gemini can do wonders.
We were looking towards initiating a structured library period in KIPS School. Usually the library period focuses on learners selecting a book of their choice from the library, reading, issuing and then returning it back. This is a traditional setup. We structured the program by sharing guidelines about the library period.
There would be a 4 week rotation and all four activities will be repeated. In the first week the learners read a book, and discuss the key messages and moral of the story. In the next week they find 20 new vocabulary words and find meanings using a dictionary. In the third week they write character sketches of their favourite characters and in the last week they do role plays about their favourite scenes from the book. After every four weeks the learners will be issued a visa stamp on their passports. And we hope learners will be able to cover at least 5 destinations or read 5 books in the whole term.
The participants of the session shared feedback about the importance of a library in schools and existing practices followed by skimming through the whole program and shared pertinent feedback and challenges the might face while implementing the program. Participants also had a great opportunity to participate in a live simulation which helped them understand how the plan needs to be implemented in the classroom. It went well but something that should have been done earlier was to gather data about existing library practices and resource availability in schools.
We also shared a e-library of books developed by thePunjab government. The schools that have multimedia projectors, LEDs or even smart boards can share digital stories with their learners. Learners could highlight key words, find meanings, listen to audio books and even create their own books using various online resources including story jumper, book creator etc. I see a lot of possibility of learners creating their own story books and sharing it online. If implemented in true spirits the library period could provide a great opportunity for the development of 21st century skills including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, confidence and creativity.
Hoping to see young authors, writers and creative learners emerging.
Happy Reading 🙂
Link for Punjab e library for children
https://elibrary.punjab.gov.pk/kids_online_books
Sheeba Ajmal
Sheeba Ajmal
