by Kathy Dubrovsky

We recently received some good news.  Massachusetts has been awarded a second year grant from the Verizon Foundation to support Massachusetts teachers in using resources of Thinkfinity’s free online portal: http://www.thinkfinity.org.  Thinkfinity.org is the cornerstone of Verizon’s Foundation literacy, education and technology initiatives.  This free, comprehensive digital learning platform is built on a merger of two acclaimed programs; Verizon MarcoPolo and Thinkfinity Literacy Network.

Thinkfinity.org offers 55,000 standards based K-12 lesson plans, student materials, interactive tools and reference materials to enhance classroom instruction.  At Thinkfinity.org, teachers can find primary source materials, interactive student resources and grade-specific research lists to help tailor materials to meet their needs.  This website is not just for teachers but also has  portals for both students and parents.  It is an excellent resource for families that have opted for home-schooling.

Last March, I took advantage of the free training the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers with the first year grant from Verizon and I became a Thinkfinity Field Trainer.  I have offered several trainings including the July training at the SEMLS computer lab.  Twelve teachers participated in this training and at completion each teacher earned 10 PDP’s.  I will be offering this same training to MSLA members during the February vacation on Tuesday, February 17, and Thursday, February 19, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.  For more information on this free workshop and how to register for it, please visit the MSLA Professional Development website: http://maschoolibraries.org/content/view/527/250/

Thinkfinity training will enable you to become well versed with many of the excellent Thinkfinity resources.  If your goal is to become an Information Specialist, don’t miss this opportunity to learn more ways to integrate technology into the curriculum and to collaborate with teachers.              

Presently, I am applying to be chosen as a participant in the upcoming  Thinkfinity Certified Trainer Workshop.  As part of the Verizon Foundation’s second year grant, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is able to offer this training to fifteen Thinkfinity Field Trainers.  These fifteen Field Trainers will become Certified Trainers who will be able to continue holding Thinkfinity Workshops and Thinkfinity Certified Trainers Workshops.  Although Massachusetts does not have any Certified Thinkfinity Trainers at this time, it is a leader in the number of Thinkfinity trainings offered.   Please consider attending the February training to learn more about what Thinkfinity has to offer.