So, it has come to my attention that April 8-14 is National Library Week and to celebrate, I’d like to share some wonderful feedback I just received from Manuel, my contact at the Canton Rio Camanibal elementary school that we visited last August!

Manuel explained in an email that the teachers were finally able to coordinate official training last week for the RACHEL application server that configures the curriculum-based content and educational apps loaded to the tablets that we donated to the library’s technology lab.  Romeo Rodriguez from World Possible offered complimentary training on the RACHEL server that we purchased and showed the teachers how to maximize the benefits that the technology provided.  In addition to the teachers and parent council in Canton Rio Camanibal, a few teachers from nearby Santa Cruz del Quiche were on-hand to receive the training, as it was something that they’d like to consider for their school!  It is so exciting to see this develop further, and Manuel promised that photos of the kids using the tablets for learning would be soon forthcoming.

In the mean time, the children are enjoying their library time on a regularly scheduled basis.  This picture made my heart sing!  To think that previous to our efforts last year, the kids did not have access to a library of any kind and for some, it may have been the first chance to hold a book that was meant for pleasure reading!  Now, there is officially endorsed curriculum surrounding literacy and technology at this school and all children will benefit!  The kindergartners get first crack, on Monday.  First graders have library and computer time on Tuesdays, followed by 2nd and 3rd graders on Wednesday.  Fourth grade students get their opportunity on Thursdays, while 5th and 6th graders have to wait for Fridays.