Students at Anne M. Dorner Middle School learned what happens when old technology, like library books and services, is combined with new technology, like Google Chromebooks. They got a match made in technological heaven.
The AMD Pre-Teen Genius Bar, which was created in December, is the brainchild of Allison Bacon, district Coordinator of Instructional Technology, and Liz Blye, AMD Library Media Specialist. The two realized they had a group of students who regularly visit the library and volunteer in the media center. They also had an influx of student Chromebooks needing regular maintenance.
Ms. Blye said she wanted to develop a way for students to have more ownership of the library space since many visited the library during their free time, like at recess. That, and the fact that so many had such an extensive knowledge of technology, there had to be something that could be done to tap into that energy.
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The group, comprised of students in sixth through eighth grade, began with less than a dozen students; now numbers in the 30s. They were all trained on library services and how to perform basic repairs and maintenance on Chromebooks. Now, when scholars come into the library, there are schoolmates who can recommend a book or help them find a particular title on the shelves. Additionally, a student can drop off their broken Chromebook and a student-member of the trained Genius Bar will open a ticket and begin to repair the damaged computer.
Later this month, the group will be trained on Google Level 1 and become certified Google educators.
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“Some want to tell kids what books to read, others are asking what more they can do with technology,” Ms. Bacon said.
For many participants, it’s an experience that makes them feel connected with one another and their school and has given them a chance to explore their passions.
“I joined because I love technology and the library,” seventh grader Maya Cohen said. “Putting them together at school is great. It’s super convenient. We can fix computers and manage the library.”
“It’s about books and reading,” Owen Brennen, who is in eighth grade, said. “Technology has taken over the world and we need to understand how it works. Books really do go with technology.”
Eighth grader Gavin Jeffrey said that the book component was a big draw: “I helped label books and color-coded them by genre. It’s easier for students to find the type of book they are looking for. For example, fiction is orange.”
Rishabh Vinesh, an eighth grader, said that there might be technological issues that the Pre-Teen Genius Bar cannot solve. In such cases, he said, the Chromebooks would be given to the district’s technology department.
In addition to earning their Google Level 1 certifications, scholars will also receive and be trained on how to use a special tool kit that will teach them to disassemble the computer, work on hardware components and reassemble it.
Ms. Bacon credits the district’s technology support department, including Mike Hannah and AMD Principal Kate Mathews, for their assistance in making the Genius Bar possible.
The participating students are impressive and are committed to the work, said Ms. Bacon. As some are ready to move to the high school next year, Ms. Bacon is hoping to expand the program there.
Several participants said the experience has given them more confidence, something their teachers have also noticed.
“When you solve a problem, you feel like you absolutely helped them out,” sixth grader Bryant Gonzalez said.
Looking to the future, Mia Uzcategui-Dommar, who is in eighth grade, said that working with the library and technology has given her insight to the world of design. She helped to create library displays and is now thinking about becoming a graphic designer who designs websites.
“You can put these skills toward something long-lasting,” Mia said.
Eighth grader Carla Galindo said she got away from reading but joining the Genius Bar has brought her back and she has reengaged with books.
Sixth grader Alessia Caruso shared a similar inspiration and has been motivated to consider a career as an author.
“By having this connection with the library and Ms. Blye, I’m a step closer to that dream,” she said.
