We are pleased to introduce our growing community to the next "Eduporium Featured Educator." Every month, we’re highlighting an educator who's effectively using EdTech to empower his or her students with greater learning opportunities. We love being able to share these stories and their work with you and hope this series continues to give all educators encouragement to try new things in their classroom! This month, we're featuring Victoria Blackmer, a public librarian from Illinois, who has been using EdTech she received through our grant program to host tinker labs and also inspire more kids in the community to experiment and be creative!
Victoria Blackmer
Public Librarian, Youth Services Dept., Robert R. Jones Public Library, Coal Valley, IL
Q&A:
What have you done with the EdTech you've received through our grant?
We have been experimenting with all the fantastic EdTech products we have received through Eduporium's tech grant. Also, we began hosting “open tinker labs,” during which children and grown-ups are welcomed to explore, imagine, create, and learn. We have this handful of selected kits and materials that we received from the grant available for public use.
Continuously inspired by how kids of all ages find excitement with experimenting through so many different materials and processes, our open tinker lab is designed so that students can learn how to foster their own curiosity and creativity. We also provide accessible materials without highly structured steps or instructions so that children are free to experiment with new processes and tap into their own innate creativity. These programs have become very popular and only came into volition thanks to the Eduporium grant.
What are 2-3 of your favorite EdTech tools?
The Makey Makey is a grand-slam! Edison Robots are also incredible and both E-Blox and Snap Circuits kits offer exploratory fun for all ages.
What interests you most about Eduporium?
I find inspiration in the Eduporium team's commitment to effectively help students learn (and grow) through cooperative partnerships with the goal that every child can access meaningful technology.
We truly thank Victoria for agreeing to speak with us! If you know any educator who's doing exciting things with EdTech, feel free to recommend them (or you!) for us to feature by emailing us with a short blurb about how you’ve used tech tools to empower your students! Find out more about how we can help revamp your classroom, libraries, or makerspace by exploring our site. And, sign up as an educator to start saving with your discount!