From ITI Newsbreaks Weekly News
EBSCO Publishing (http://www.epnet.com/) is offering free access to the new Teacher Reference Center, a bibliographic index of more than 260 titles from teacher and administration trade journals, periodicals, and books. The database, delivered via the EBSCOhost platform, is available as a free resource to anyone interested in teaching and education.
Teacher Reference Center provides coverage on topics such as assessment, best practices, continuing education, current pedagogical research, curriculum development, elementary education, higher education, instructional media, language arts, literacy standards, school administration, science and mathematics, teacher education, and more.
Teacher Reference Center is currently available at http://www.libraryresearch.com/, along with EBSCO Publishing’s free Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA) database. In the coming weeks it will move to http://www.teacherreference.com. Existing EBSCOhost customers may request to have Teacher Reference Center added to their existing EBSCOhost profiles at no additional charge.
education
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
LMS and LCMS demystified
One Letter Away from Each Other as Acronyms, but Miles Apart in Practice
Learning management systems (LMS) and learning content management systems (LCMS) really have two very different functions. It's unfortunate that both have such similar names and a shared acronym, which only serves to confuse e-learning buyers even more.
The primary objective of a learning management system is to manage learners, keeping track of their progress and performance across all types of training activities. By contrast, a learning content management system manages content or learning objects that are served up to the right learner at the right time.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Vroom
Vrroom ...The national Archives of Australia has built “an interactive website and online teaching resource that aims to encourage teachers and students to use archival materials within discovery-oriented teaching and learning”.
…. The general topics already found on Vrroom include immigration, conflicts, gender, and Indigenous rights. Formulated for students and teachers throughout Australia and across all curricula, Vrroom is ideal for anyone engaged in Australian studies, politics, geography, environmental management, and technology.
Visit Vrroom
Tags:homework, education
…. The general topics already found on Vrroom include immigration, conflicts, gender, and Indigenous rights. Formulated for students and teachers throughout Australia and across all curricula, Vrroom is ideal for anyone engaged in Australian studies, politics, geography, environmental management, and technology.
Visit Vrroom
Tags:homework, education
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Connecting the digital dots: literacy in the twenty-first century
Literacy today depends on understanding the multiple media that make up our high-tech reality and developing the skills to use them effectively
By Barbara R. Jones-Kavalier and Suzanne L. Flannigan
Prior to the 21st century, literate defined a person’s ability to read and write, separating the educated from the uneducated. With the advent of a new millennium and the rapidity with which technology has changed society, the concept of literacy has assumed new meanings.
education, literacy
Monday, June 05, 2006
Libraries tied to student achievement
The following article appeared in the Toronto Sun.
Libraries tied to student achievement
Study makes case for training, funding
"...first Canadian study linking school libraries to student achievement indicates that better libraries improve student testscores and add to kids' reading enjoyment. The Ontario School Library Association says the research, released yesterday, is the evidence it needs to make a case for more trained school librarians and better-stocked shelves. "There's such a clear link between libraries and student achievement. I don't know how the minister (of education) can ignore it," said association president Michael Rosettis.
The study by Queen's University professor Don Klinger was based on provincial test scores and attitudinal information collected by the province's Education Quality and Accountability Office. That information was married with data on the state of elementary school libraries gathered by the provincial parent group, People for Education.
Klinger's study of 800 elementary schools and about 50,000 students showed that schools without trained teacher-librarians were more likely to score lower on grades 3 and 6 reading tests. Schools with teacher-librarians had proportionally more students who scored the highest levels on Grade 6 tests.
The study found the biggest difference teacher-librarians made appeared to be in how much students enjoyed reading, said Klinger. The research showed that the presence of a teacher-librarian accounted for a small shift in students' attitude to reading. It was a tiny variable, but given that researchers haven't been able to identify most of the factors affecting student achievement, it is significant, he said. "If all school libraries were adequately staffed and sufficiently funded, just imagine the impact on student achievement," said Rosettis, a teacher-librarian at St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham.
Teacher-librarians are qualified teachers who've taken more courses to become librarians. They focus on integrating information technology with the curriculum, and work with teachers to design research units.
The $40,000 study was funded by the Ontario School Library Association, but conducted independently, Rosettis said.
U.S. studies have shown a link between student achievement and well-staffed, well-stocked school libraries. The librarians and People for Education say the Ontario government has made small steps to stem a 20-year decline in school libraries with a $17 million book grant last year and another $15 million last month.
Rosettis said he hopes new education minister Sandra Pupatello will find the study compelling enough to consider designating dedicated funds to teacher-librarians and books.
School boards get one librarian for every 769 students, but many schools don't have that many students and even when they do get a library allocation, some principals spend the money on other staffing and specialty teachers in physical education or music.
People for Education research shows that only 54 per cent of Ontario elementary schools had a full- or part-time teacher-librarian last year, compared with 80 per cent in 1997-'98.
At Church Street Public School, full-time teacher-librarian Nancy Woodruff said she works with other teachers, looking for alternative curriculum materials to suit student needs, including those who haven't yet learned English and others with learning disabilities. "These children will have to know how libraries function to the end of their school days," she said, but every year she wonders if the school will be able to keep her in the library position. Principal Judy Gillis said she gets between $6,000 to $7,000 a year to stock the library but it's a struggle with so many competing priorities. Pupatello was not available for comment yesterday.
Tags: library, education
Libraries tied to student achievement
Study makes case for training, funding
"...first Canadian study linking school libraries to student achievement indicates that better libraries improve student testscores and add to kids' reading enjoyment. The Ontario School Library Association says the research, released yesterday, is the evidence it needs to make a case for more trained school librarians and better-stocked shelves. "There's such a clear link between libraries and student achievement. I don't know how the minister (of education) can ignore it," said association president Michael Rosettis.
The study by Queen's University professor Don Klinger was based on provincial test scores and attitudinal information collected by the province's Education Quality and Accountability Office. That information was married with data on the state of elementary school libraries gathered by the provincial parent group, People for Education.
Klinger's study of 800 elementary schools and about 50,000 students showed that schools without trained teacher-librarians were more likely to score lower on grades 3 and 6 reading tests. Schools with teacher-librarians had proportionally more students who scored the highest levels on Grade 6 tests.
The study found the biggest difference teacher-librarians made appeared to be in how much students enjoyed reading, said Klinger. The research showed that the presence of a teacher-librarian accounted for a small shift in students' attitude to reading. It was a tiny variable, but given that researchers haven't been able to identify most of the factors affecting student achievement, it is significant, he said. "If all school libraries were adequately staffed and sufficiently funded, just imagine the impact on student achievement," said Rosettis, a teacher-librarian at St. Augustine Catholic High School in Markham.
Teacher-librarians are qualified teachers who've taken more courses to become librarians. They focus on integrating information technology with the curriculum, and work with teachers to design research units.
The $40,000 study was funded by the Ontario School Library Association, but conducted independently, Rosettis said.
U.S. studies have shown a link between student achievement and well-staffed, well-stocked school libraries. The librarians and People for Education say the Ontario government has made small steps to stem a 20-year decline in school libraries with a $17 million book grant last year and another $15 million last month.
Rosettis said he hopes new education minister Sandra Pupatello will find the study compelling enough to consider designating dedicated funds to teacher-librarians and books.
School boards get one librarian for every 769 students, but many schools don't have that many students and even when they do get a library allocation, some principals spend the money on other staffing and specialty teachers in physical education or music.
People for Education research shows that only 54 per cent of Ontario elementary schools had a full- or part-time teacher-librarian last year, compared with 80 per cent in 1997-'98.
At Church Street Public School, full-time teacher-librarian Nancy Woodruff said she works with other teachers, looking for alternative curriculum materials to suit student needs, including those who haven't yet learned English and others with learning disabilities. "These children will have to know how libraries function to the end of their school days," she said, but every year she wonders if the school will be able to keep her in the library position. Principal Judy Gillis said she gets between $6,000 to $7,000 a year to stock the library but it's a struggle with so many competing priorities. Pupatello was not available for comment yesterday.
Tags: library, education
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Standard year 12 exams in the pipeline
All Australian Year 12 students would sit standard national exams replacing all existing state qualifications if the federal government gets its way. Read on ...
education
education
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Podcasting 101 for K-12 Librarians
"When podcasting emerged in the communication revolution, I saw a unique opportunity to provide on-demand content in an easily accessible and cost-effective format.
What began as an interest in using podcasting for professional development has now become an interest in exploring creative podcast use in K–12 libraries.
When I first asked my librarians whether they used podcasts, two-thirds didn’t know what I was talking about. However, many of their students were already accessing and creating podcasts on their own. So I suggested that we brainstorm and plan how to turn podcasting into an opportunity to reach out to students and to affect learning.
" ...Podcasting supports efforts to differentiate instruction in the library in accordance with No Child Left Behind requirements. The podcast is a viable alternative for delivering research content or lessons to students who need remedial or extended support.
While auditory learners particularly benefit when podcasts are incorporated into the teaching model, librarians can help all students and staff find ways to creatively use podcasting. Sometimes new formats are the key to igniting interest. While creating podcasts, students learn to research, write, develop vocabulary, speak effectively, manage time, solve problems, and grab attention. "
Thursday, June 01, 2006
As test-taking grows, test-makers grow rarer
" ....Government and industry officials warn that the shortage of experts could undermine the testing process and lead to errors, with consequences like children's being wrongly denied promotion and schools being mistakenly labeled as failing.
Already, they say, many states and school districts lack officials trained to oversee testing and make effective use of score data.
The states are being hardest hit because they desperately need psychometricians to supervise their multimillion-dollar contracts with test publishers but are routinely outbid not just by testing firms but also by colleges, research groups and other industries."
testing
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Govt to revamp year 12 certificate
The Federal Government is moving ahead with plans for an overhaul of the year 12 certificate.
Former education minister Brendan Nelson had been concerned by differing standards across the country in key subject areas such as English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. A report he commissioned into establishing a national certificate of education for year 12 students will be released today with the Government's response
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Common errors in English
The aim of this site is to help you avoid low grades, lost employment opportunities, lost business, and titters of amusement at the way you write or speak. Check it out …
writing, conversation, speaking, education, English,
writing, conversation, speaking, education, English,
Monday, May 29, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
wwwtools for education
“wwwtools is designed to keep you informed and to save valuable time in tracking down information and resources on the World Wide Web.Each article is on a particular topic or issue related to Web-based teaching and learning.”
Visit wwwtools for education
education
Visit wwwtools for education
education
Friday, May 26, 2006
Landmarks for schools
As popular as it has become in recent years, the Internet is still a vast wilderness. For this reason, it still takes the explorer in us to seek out those net-based gems that can bring life to our learning environments.
Most educators, however, have little time to go exploring on the Net, as much as they would like to.
To serve these professionals, David Warlick and The Landmark Project have utilized 20 years of experience inventing instructional applications of computer and communication technologies for teaching and learning.
Landmarks for Schools (LFS) serves as a hub for these and other resources available to teachers to help them prepare students for the 21st century.
education
Most educators, however, have little time to go exploring on the Net, as much as they would like to.
To serve these professionals, David Warlick and The Landmark Project have utilized 20 years of experience inventing instructional applications of computer and communication technologies for teaching and learning.
Landmarks for Schools (LFS) serves as a hub for these and other resources available to teachers to help them prepare students for the 21st century.
education
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Pioneering a sustainable Queensland
From the Queensland Museum
Until 22 June
Thursdays 12.00-1.00pm
This ground-breaking free talk series presents a range of remarkable people, from private enterprise and the public sector, who are leading the charge in a sustainable future for Queensland.Take this opportunity to hear the final four presentations in the series.
Visit the Museum website for a full series program!
educationWednesday, May 24, 2006
The Librarian - your technology partner
From Doug Johnson…
”Having a partner in any enterprise that seems risky lessens the fear factor and improves one's chance for success. When implementing a new project that uses technology, I whole-heartedly recommend asking your librarian to be your "technology partner." You will find that today's best librarians -- or library media specialists (LMSs) -- have…”
Read on to find the eight qualities …
education
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
Global Issues using films
In an increasingly visual environment, film is a powerful way to engage students in global education.
Use films from a variety of sources to help students engage with the wider world.
Develop students’ skills in visual literacy to assist in global awareness and to promote understanding, tolerance and acceptance of cultural, religious and political differences.
Help students to learn how to interpret the complexities of different points of view and contextualise them through historical, geographical, cultural, economic, political and environmental lenses.
Teach students to read the many layers in the visual images by asking questions about the environment and the interaction of people and their values.
Continues with detailed information and resources on using film
Tags: education
Use films from a variety of sources to help students engage with the wider world.
Develop students’ skills in visual literacy to assist in global awareness and to promote understanding, tolerance and acceptance of cultural, religious and political differences.
Help students to learn how to interpret the complexities of different points of view and contextualise them through historical, geographical, cultural, economic, political and environmental lenses.
Teach students to read the many layers in the visual images by asking questions about the environment and the interaction of people and their values.
Continues with detailed information and resources on using film
Tags: education
Friday, May 19, 2006
Teaching to the test
Let's Teach to the Test
By Jay Mathews
All signs point to 2006 being a crucial year for testing in America, with the first national results from the new SAT due, as well as significant changes underway in how states use the tests that rate schools under the No Child Left Behind law. If only, then, we could figure out a way to speak clearly to each other about what we think of the many tests our children are taking. Let's start by trying to clarify what I consider the most deceptive phrase in education today: "teaching to the test."
Tag: education
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Schools tree day
Finally a school activity where kids can get dirty!
28 July is Planet Ark's ‘Schools Tree Day'.
Sponsored by Toyota and the AMP Foundation the number of schools becoming involved rises steadily each year.
On 28 July 2006 tens of thousands of students around Australia will join in tree planting activities and fun outdoor eco-lessons. To get out of maths lessons, call 1300 88 5000 or visit Planet Ark to download lesson plans.
Tags:
education, trees
28 July is Planet Ark's ‘Schools Tree Day'.
Sponsored by Toyota and the AMP Foundation the number of schools becoming involved rises steadily each year.
On 28 July 2006 tens of thousands of students around Australia will join in tree planting activities and fun outdoor eco-lessons. To get out of maths lessons, call 1300 88 5000 or visit Planet Ark to download lesson plans.
Tags:
education, trees
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