Hot, Free, and Downloadable: tech for teens and why you care
Amy Boese andMarcus Lowry
Ramsey County LibraryMinnesota
Ramsey County Library: Teen Services
• Seven Libraries• Five School Districts• 740 programs per year (365 gaming at Roseville)• 10,000 Teens• Three sushi places, one Pizza Ranch, no Waffle
House• Two librarians
How we do it.
• Active classes– Librarian instructors– AmeriCorps CTEP – Community Ed., TV– School collaborations – Youth serving organizations
• Passive access to tech• Drop in tech
Coolest. Things. Ever.
Replicator in action
Replicator II
http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/product/gsu.html
• Free!• Most popular 3D modeling software
http://pixologic.com/sculptris/
• Free!• More detail• Less architecture, better suited for forms
http://scratch.mit.edu/
• Free!• Golden oldie of video game creation, still
golden• In many school classrooms• Focuses on creative animation, programming
http://www.stencyl.com/
• Free!• Creates a stand-alone flash game• Focuses on creating playable games, less on
how to create the pieces
http://inkscape.org/download/?lang=en
• Free! (No, really.)• Open source vector editor• Future Fashion Designers
http://www.weebly.com/
• Free! (But you have to sign up.)• Create your own website, link all of your stuff
in one place
• http://jnsbhello.weebly.com/mangaaaa.html
http://clubcreate.com/
• Free! (Sign in to save your work.)• Remix songs or create your own• Ability to import vocal and instrumental tracks
MusicLab (Maidah's Music).mp3
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
• Free! (open source.)• Audio editor• Podcasting• Edit sound for importing elsewhere
Tangents, or:Not free, hot, or downloadable
• Minecraft• Flip• Apps• Python• Artemis• Whomptrix
Challenges
• Teen tech open lab – drop in versus drop off• Cutting edge tech sometimes FAILS• Free software goes away (RIP: aviary.com)• Schools block free software• Libraries block downloads• Vendor issues: bugs are bugs• Staffing changes
Why we think you should care.• Navigation of new technology• Gamification• Courage is learned• Inspiration and exploration• Career exploration – “People do this for $$$, you could too.”
Time for more play.
Thanks! Questions? [email protected] [email protected]