What is Digital Human Library (dHL)?
Digital Human Library (dHL) is a digital experiential learning library for modern learners. We bring people together to make a difference for kids by connecting K-12 teachers and students with hundreds of industry leaders, experts, and organizations from around the world. dHL Experts offer interactive curriculum-based programs, mentorships, career talks, and Q&As using video conferencing technologies, complimented by over 1800 virtual tours/ virtual reality experiences. We also offer national and global social innovation projects supported by research. Join us!
What does it mean to Video Conference with dHL Experts?
Video conferencing with experts means that teachers can access 1:1 live and interactive distance learning programs for K-12 students lasting 30-40 minutes. Registered teachers simply log into dHL to search our library of Experts with their students. Classes can search by keyword, curriculum subject area, grade or keyword search term they like. Once classes find the right expert, they contact the Expert to request a program. Video conferences are scheduled on a mutually agreeable date and time using platforms like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.
What is included with a FREE Teacher Membership?
Canadian teachers gain FREE access to:
- Unlimited simultaneous access to Video Conference with Experts
- Hundreds of experts available to connect with K-12 classes
- Experts sourced from recommendations made by K-12 teachers and students
- Educational programs, mentorships, Q&As, and career talks lasting 30-40 minutes
- Video conferences scheduled on a mutually agreeable date and time
- Resources for Teachers available to support classes through aevery step of the process
How do I access the Video Conference with Experts library?
Watch the video, or follow the 5 simple steps below:
1. Register with Digital Human Library. You will receive a confirmation email approving your registration after submitting your registration form. If you don’t receive this email, please check your Spam.
2. Log in to the dHL website using the username and password you created.
3. After you log in choose Video Conference with Experts.
4. Next, choose whether you want to search for Teachers or Experts, and then enter your search terms/ key words (e.g. forest, space, art, authors). Choose from the Advanced Search options if want to add additional filters. Click search.
5. Contact your chosen Expert using the Request an Expert button located at the bottom of the Expert profile. Let the collaboration begin!
*There is no need to search for “FREE” programs since all dHL Experts are required to offer programs at no cost.
What is included with a Premium Teacher Membership?
Districts and/or individual teachers who subscribe gain access to:
- Unlimited simultaneous access to Video Conference with Experts for one academic year
- Hundreds of experts available to connect with K-12 classes
- Experts sourced from recommendations made by K-12 Canadian teachers
- Educational programs, mentorships, Q&As, and career talks lasting 30-40 minutes
- Video conferences scheduled on a mutually agreeable date and time
- Curate and organize My Library of dHL Experts
- Add Reviews/ Feedback for Experts linked directly to their profiles
- Request New Experts
- Post project ideas/ topics and project links to your dHL profile and connect with other classes
- Resources for Teachers available to support classes through every step of the process
- Customer support available via email
How do I access the features available with a Premium Teacher Membership?
Districts and/or teachers who have subscribed login to dHL and choose Video Conference with Experts:
- Search for Experts by keyword and/or choose any of the advanced search options
- Request a Program directly from dHL Expert profiles
- Save and organize Experts to My Library: Video Conference with Experts–>Experts–>Search Experts–>View Profile–>Click on the heart icon–>Create or choose a category
- Manage My Library: Settings–>My Library
- Add a Review/Feedback for an Expert: Video Conference with Experts–> Experts–>Search Experts–>View Profile–>Add Review/ Feedback
- Update your profile to include project ideas and links visible to other teachers: Settings–>Update Profile
- Browse with PCs, Mac, or Mobile Devices in any browser (Chrome, Safari, etc)
*How-to video coming soon!
What technology do I need to host a video conference?
All you need is a computer with internet access, speakers, and a webcam with a microphone. We recommend that the computer is connected to a SMARTBoard or projector and screen so the video is displayed on a larger screen. If you don’t have a computer with a webcam and microphone, you can buy a quality webcam with built-in microphone for around $20.00.
The video conferencing platform you will use for your video conference depends on the Teacher’s or dHL Expert’s preferred way to connect (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.).
How much does it cost to video conference with dHL Experts?
Digital Human Library is free to use for Canadian teachers. More than 95% of dHL Experts offer all of their programs free of charge.
We do have some dHL Experts who charge a fee for their programs which are indicated in their profiles and paid directly to the Content Partner (dHL Expert). However, the few dHL Experts who charge a fee are required to offer a minimum number of free programs every year in support of youth and learning.
Who are the dHL Experts?
dHL Experts are vetted Content Partners who offer educational programs to K-12 students using video conferencing technology. dHL Experts are dynamic, engaging, and professional, with comprehensive knowledge and skills in their field of work/ area of specialization based on years of experience and/or research. Experts lead with empathy and interact with students in ways that are professional and personable, positive, inclusive, and equitable. With a focus on empowering students as leaders in their own learning, experts create opportunities for students to ask questions, share ideas, make connections, collaborate, solve problems, think critically, create, and learn.
Note: In specific fields of work, the definition of expert is well established by consensus and therefore it is not always necessary for individuals to have academic qualifications.
Learn more about our Content Partners by visiting our Video Conference with Expert page.
How are dHL Experts vetted?
dHL Experts belong to reputable organizations, businesses, colleges/universities, or are self-employed professionals. Prior to being invited to join dHL, Experts are researched, interviewed, qualifications are verified, references are checked, and social media sites are reviewed in detail. While dHL does not accept liability for the content provided by our Experts, or for the contents of external links they provide over the structure of which we have no control, we are committed to providing schools with the highest quality educational experiences possible. If your experience with one of our dHL Experts does not meet your expectations, please contact us.
Note: In specific fields of work, the definition of expert is well established by consensus and therefore it is not always necessary for dHL Experts to have academic qualifications.
How do I book a program with a dHL Expert?
On each dHL Expert profile you can Request an Expert. Clicking on that button will open up a contact form pre-populated with your contact information. Simply fill in the suggested information about your class, program needs, dates and times, etc. and wait for a reply.
Note: Some dHL Experts are really busy at certain times of the year (e.g. zoos in the spring) so book early!
How can I keep all of my students engaged during a live program?
What are my responsibilities as a teacher using dHL?
First and foremost it is the classroom teacher’s responsibility to ensure that students have permission to appear on camera during a video conference. Although these sessions are not recorded, screenshots and video clips may be taken by the classroom teacher, and/or the expert to share and celebrate the experience with others online. Please refer to your School Board’s Administrative Procedures/ Policies with regards to social media use, photographing/ videotaping of students, etc.
We do offer an information letter that you can adapt and send home to families explaining why and how students will be connecting with experts using Digital Human Library. Please note this is not a permission form. However, the letter invites parents to contact you if they have any questions or concerns.
Secondly, teachers have a responsibility to help prepare the dHL Expert for the video conference. dHL Experts will require information like class size and age group, curriculum expectations, student learning needs and goals, time frame, and preferred program format. There are a number of questions that need to be answered by both teachers and experts before the video conference. Please visit the Tips for Teachers page for more information.
Student Safety
It is the classroom teachers responsibility to provide the Expert with information about whether or not students may be photographed or filmed during the video conference. Please refer to your Board/ District policy regarding photographing/ filming/ sharing student information online.
When you invite any guest into your classroom, whether in person or virtually (online), unforeseen things can happen. If you ever need to end a video conference abruptly, the video conference can be terminated quickly by simply closing the window in your browser. It will be up to you to use your professional judgement to determine what course of action is most appropriate.
Please contact us if you have any problems while connecting with one of our Experts.
Can I link dHL Experts to my lesson plans and resources?
Yes! Each dHL Expert profile includes a link that can be added to lesson plans, book lists, digital notebooks, websites, library catalogues, resource pages… anywhere you want to link human resources to your digital and hard copy resource collections.
dHL Expert links can be accessed by teachers once they log in to dHL, search for an Expert, and open an Expert’s profile. Simply click the link icon at the top of the Expert profile page to copy it, and then paste it anywhere you like. Any user who clicks on that dHL Expert link will be redirected to dHL and prompted to log in. Once the user logs in, they will be redirected immediately to the selected dHL Expert profile page.
Where is my information stored at Digital Human Library?
Digital Human Library is hosted at AWS. All of our data is stored on a secure Canadian server.
Can I register with dHL if I am a teacher living outside of Canada?
Yes! Teacher’s living outside of Canada can subscribe to dHL’s Premium Teacher Membership and gain access to dHL’s Video Conference with Experts library for one academic year.
dHL Experts offer a variety of educational programs for K-12 across all curriculum subject areas that will align with your curriculum or Common Core Standards.
What is the Virtual Tours & Virtual Reality (VR) library?
Our Virtual Tours & Virtual Reality library is an extensive collection of 360° panoramas and videos, 3D images, live cameras, narrated tours, mixed reality, and virtual reality. dHL offers over a thousand educational virtual tours and virtual reality experiences organized into 14 different categories that bring any curriculum subject area to life!
Visit famous landmarks, museums, and exhibits, or tour cities and historical sites around the world. Watch animals living in the wild, or learn about the manufacturing process as you explore how things are made. Experience a wild ride at a theme park or take a trip into space all from the convenience of your classroom.
Why would I want to subscribe to the Virtual Tours & Virtual Reality library?
Virtual tours and virtual reality experiences compliment live programs by providing students and their families with rich contexts and immersive experiences that deepen learning. Virtual tours and virtual reality experiences on their own provide students with self-guided window to the world where they can explore new places and meet new people.
How do I access the Virtual Tours & VR library?
Watch the video, or follow the 4 simple steps below:
1. Register with Digital Human Library. You will receive an email confirming your registration was approved. If you don’t receive this email, please check your Spam.
2. Log in to the dHL website using the username and password you created.
3. After you log in choose Virtual Tours & Virtual Reality.
4. Next, browse our collection of FREE tours, or subscribe to access our full library of over 1800 tours.
How much does it cost to subscribe?
Registered teachers pay just $25 per year to access our full library of Virtual Tours and Virtual Reality – that’s just $1 per student!
How do my students and I search for Virtual Tours & VR?
Visit the Virtual Tours/ VR library. Search by keyword(s) using the keyword search field, and/or by category using the dropdown menu.
NOTE: Virtual tours and virtual reality experiences are links that take our members to external websites. While we make every effort to ensure that all of our links are working properly, if you find a broken link please contact us so we can fix it!
Digital Human Library Disclaimer
dHL does not accept liability for the content provided by our Experts, or for the contents of external links over the structure of which we have no control. This statement is valid for all of the links on the website and for all contents of the pages to which the links or banners lead.
Where do I find the dHL’s Social Innovation Projects?
Learn more about our free social innovation projects here!
Questions?
We hope you found the answers you were looking for. If you have further questions, or would like additional information about any of our services, please contact us anytime.
This post is also available in: Français (French)
