Author: Darshell Silva

Darshell Silva is a school librarian in Providence, RI, and a per-course faculty member at the University of Rhode Island. Darshell is passionate about maker education. She began working with the K-12 team at The Source for Learning in 2018.

The Power of Two: Why Librarian-Teacher Collaboration is the Ultimate Classroom Hack

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You’re staring at a new unit plan, trying to figure out how to weave in media literacy, find credible primary sources, and keep thirty different students engaged—all while hitting your state standards. It feels like a solo mountain climb. But here’s the thing: you aren’t alone on that mountain. Just down the hall—or perhaps right … read more »

Dig Deeper: Research Strategies That Strengthen Digital Storytelling

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Students open their laptops, type a topic into Google, click the first three links, and boom—they believe they’re “done with research.” The result? Their digital stories feel flat and predictable, filled with the same surface-level information anyone could gather in seconds. Digital storytelling has real potential to engage students, but only if there’s solid research … read more »

Building Background Knowledge: The Overlooked Equity Issue in Our Classrooms

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When we talk about educational equity, we often focus on access to technology, culturally responsive curriculum, or closing achievement gaps. But there’s another, quieter equity issue that sits beneath all of those: students’ background knowledge. Every text a student reads, every math problem they solve, and every science concept they encounter draws on an invisible … read more »

Supporting Digital Storytelling in the Secondary School Library

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Digital storytelling blends narrative with multimedia—text, images, audio, and video—to help students craft meaningful, expressive stories using tools that reflect how they learn and communicate today. In the secondary school library, librarians are uniquely positioned to guide students in harnessing this dynamic approach to learning, creativity, and digital literacy. It’s not just about using technology—it’s … read more »

Empowering Student Voice with Digital Storytelling

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In today’s classrooms, amplifying student voice isn’t just good practice; it is a necessity for engagement and equity. Research shows that when students see their identities and experiences reflected in their learning environment, achievement increases significantly. Digital storytelling offers a powerful way for students to share their experiences, ideas, and identities in meaningful, multimodal ways. … read more »

ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Principles

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The Transformational Learning Principles™ https://iste-ascd.org/tlps In an age where education is evolving faster than ever, K–12 educators are expected to prepare students for a rapidly changing, tech-integrated world. The ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Principles are a powerful framework designed to guide educators in creating meaningful, equitable, and future-ready learning experiences. Whether you’re teaching kindergarteners how to … read more »

Celebrating Juneteenth!

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Why do we celebrate Juneteenth? On June 19th 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and freed enslaved African Americans—two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This historic moment marked the beginning of Juneteenth, a holiday long celebrated by African American communities and officially recognized as a federal holiday … read more »

Make A Summer of Creativity!

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Summer is the perfect time for students to explore their creativity through maker projects and design challenges! These activities give students the freedom to create, experiment, and engage in self-directed learning, using materials found at home or provided in kits sent from school. Whether short and simple or long-term and immersive, maker projects encourage problem-solving, … read more »

Sharing Stories for National Tell a Story Day

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National Tell a Story Day, observed on April 27, offers a wonderful opportunity for educators to tap into the power of storytelling in the classroom. Stories have the ability to inspire creativity, foster literacy, and connect people across cultures. For students, storytelling promotes self-expression, critical thinking, and communication skills. Keep reading to learn how educators … read more »

Engage Student Voice on World Storytelling Day

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What story is your classroom waiting to tell? Engage your students in exploring their stories on World Storytelling Day, March 20th! This year’s theme, ‘Deep Water,’ offers endless creative possibilities—whether your class dives into its literal meaning, uses it as a symbol of emotions or challenges, or charts their own imaginative course. It’s your classroom, … read more »