Group items tagged

"Recommended Websites Ten recommended websites for free resources and lesson plans on media literacy: National Association for Media Literacy Education http://namle.net Action Coalition for Media Education www.acmecoalition.org The Center for Media Literacy www.medialit.org Project Look Sharp www.projectlooksharp.org Teaching Media Literacy www.teachingmedialiteracy.com Media Literacy Clearinghouse www.frankwbaker.com New Mexico Media Literacy Project www.nmmlp.org Just Think www.justthink.org Media Awareness Network www.media-awareness.ca Media Literacy.com www1.medialiteracy.com"

"The Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education (ILILE) is federally funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the U.S.Department of Education. ILILE was established to provide local, regional and national leadership in fostering successful collaboration among K-12 teachers and school library media specialists who are concerned with advancing library and information literacy in the PK-12 school curriculum. As part of the 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Act passed January 22, Kent State University received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education (ILILE). In addition to this grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Kent State received a $1,975,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in July 2003. U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education recognized the benefit of additional funding for ILILE. "I am pleased to have been able to include federal funding for Kent State University to demonstrate how school librarians and classroom teachers can work together to enrich the curriculum of students. I am hopeful that the demonstration of this collaborative work will be used as a model to enhance the learning environment."-- U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula."

"In2Books was created in 1997 to enhance the intellectually stimulating work available to students in low-income neighborhoods. A basic tenet of In2Books is that all children are capable of deep learning. Children cannot fully develop their learning potential without challenging learning experiences. In2Books promotes ambitious literacy learning in grades 2-5 by having students engage in authentic reading and writing experiences with adult pen pals. The pen pal experience is complemented by the classroom study of genre and genre-related literacy. From its inception, In2Books has focused especially on under-resourced neighborhood where many students come from low-income, culturally diverse backgrounds. The thought-provoking In2Books curriculum includes carefully-chosen, high quality diverse books and research-proven teaching strategies. The strategies are aligned to grade-level literacy standards and science, social studies, and language arts instruction."

"The Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education provides local, regional and national leadership in fostering valuable collaboration among teachers, school library media specialists and academic faculty who work together to promote information literacy in the K-16 classroom"

"Discovery Communications To Launch New Multimedia, Multi-Year Science Initiative, "Be The Future," Supporting Obama Administration STEM Priorities -- DirecTV Boosts Support of Science Literacy with Move of Science Channel to Total Choice, Offering Millions of Additional Subscribers Access to Quality Science Programming -- November 23, 2009 (Silver Spring, Md.) Underscoring its commitment to leading in science-related programming and education, and answering President Obama's call to action to encourage science literacy, Discovery Communications today announced a new multimedia, multi-year nationwide initiative called "Be The Future." Over the next five years, Discovery will launch a programming block, education curriculum and tools to inspire student learning and careers in the sciences and support the White House's efforts behind science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. "Lifting American students from the middle to the top of the pack in STEM achievement over the next decade will not be attained by government alone," said President Obama. "I applaud the substantial commitments made today by the leaders of companies, universities, foundations, non-profits and organizations representing millions of scientists, engineers and teachers from across the country." "The exploration of science, technology and the natural world is central to the mission and DNA of Discovery Communications and we are incredibly proud to put the full muscle of our content and resources behind this critical White House initiative," said John S. Hendricks, founder and chairman, Discovery Communications. "Through 'Be the Future' we will spark the innate curiosity in school-aged viewers and people of all ages, help drive interest and leadership in science-related careers and inspire a lifelong interest in how science shapes our everyday lives." A sweeping, multi-platform initiative, "Be the Future" will be built on two primary Discovery businesse

"Our Strategy: The National Urban League employs a five-point approach to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities and the guarantee of civil rights for African Americans. Education and Youth Empowerment ensures the education of all children by providing access to early childhood literacy, after-care programs and college scholarships. Economic Empowerment invests in the financial literacy and employability of adults through job training, homeownership and entrepreneurship. Health and Quality of Life Empowerment promotes community wellness through a focus on prevention, including fitness, healthy eating and access to affordable healthcare. Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment encourages all people to take an active role to improve quality of life through participation in community service projects and public policy initiatives. Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment guarantees equal participation in all facets of American society through proactive public policies and community-based programs."

Texthelp Systems Inc. is an assistive technology software company with corporate offices in Antrim, Northern Ireland and Woburn, Massachusetts. Texthelp markets a range of award-winning software solutions to help people with reading, writing, and literacy difficulties. The company's mission is to provide high quality and innovative assistive technology for any person of any age seeking to develop their language skills through the use of a computer. Texthelp's products are designed for use by individuals, corporations or government organizations seeking to overcome accessibility difficulties. Products include: Read&Write GOLD, Read&Write GOLD for Mac, BrowseAloud, and Lexiflow. Since 1996, Texthelp has been developing and refining software products to take advantage of the latest technology innovations and to meet the ever increasing need for solutions for individuals with literacy difficulties.

"Thinkfinity.org is the cornerstone of Verizon Foundation's literacy, education and technology initiatives. Our goal is to improve student achievement in traditional classroom settings and beyond by providing high-quality content and extensive professional development training. This free, comprehensive digital learning platform is built upon the merger of two acclaimed programs Verizon MarcoPolo and the Thinkfinity Literacy Network."

"About the Assessment TRAILS is a knowledge assessment with multiple-choice questions targeting a variety of information literacy skills based on sixth and ninth grade standards. The assessment items are based on Ohio Academic Content Standards and the American Association of School Librarians' Information Power. The Web-based system was developed to provide an easily accessible and flexible tool for library media specialists and teachers to identify strengths and weaknesses in the information-seeking skills of their students. It is made available at no cost to users"

"Welcome to Reading Companion! Reading Companion is IBM's web-based literacy grant initiative that uses voice recognition technology to help children and adults learn how to read. This multi-million-dollar grant program is available for free to public elementary schools (for children ages 5-7) and nonprofit organizations such as public libraries, community colleges, and agencies that offer adult literacy services. Individuals, who wish to access this software, must be affiliated with an existing Reading Companion grant site. Developed by IBM researchers working in partnership with schools and not-for-profit organizations, Reading Companion is an effective and easy-to-use technology that assists individuals as they learn to read. This innovative software 'listens' and provides feedback, enabling emerging readers to practice reading and their English pronunciation as they acquire fundamental reading skills."

"Project SAILS ® began in 2001 with the goal of developing a standardized test of information literacy skills that would allow libraries to document skill levels for groups of students and to pinpoint areas for improvement. To make Project SAILS a success, we brought together a team of experts in librarianship, test design and measurement, data analysis, and programming. A three-year research and development phase involving more than 80 higher education institutions in the U.S. and Canada culminated in 2006 in the production version of the SAILS test. Looking for additional information about the project? Try one of the following links: Overview - Background information about Project SAILS Brochure - Introduction to Project SAILS and the test instrument in PDF format History - Important events in the development of SAILS Project SAILS Team - Brief biographies of the SAILS team members Acknowledgements - Recognition of contributors and participants Looking for information about the SAILS test? Go to About the Test. Project SAILS is headquartered at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The project was funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Studies and supported by the Association of Research Libraries."

Culbreath Education & Literacy Foundation CELF) is the 21st Century Resource Center and Linking Library for Continuing Education, Professional Development, Life Long Learning & Supplemental Educational Services (SES) for the Classroom and the Home"

"Psychologists who study mood have found that your sense of control over external events plays a big role in determining your mood. I believe this explains why so few people choose to get involved in education. In a set of classic psychological studies, researchers observed that feeling unable to control events is associated with a depressed mood. How does this apply to education? When most of us look at the shortcomings of our educational system, we feel little power to influence events. We do not feel that we can make a difference. That's depressing, so we tend to turn away and devote our energies to something where we can feel what psychologists call internal locus of control. It doesn't have to be that way. There are many things that we can do to improve education, particularly if we focus on the areas where we can make a difference. For the GIS community, the place where we can make a difference is in the area that I call geo-literacy, the slice across the science and social studies curriculum that depends critically on geographic analysis. Together with ESRI and other organizations, National Geographic is creating opportunities for geographic professionals to make a difference in education and experience an internal locus of control."

The Culbreath Education and Literacy Foundation (C.E.L.F.) is the 21st Century Resource Center and Linking Library for Social Entrepreneurship, Continuing Education, Professional Development, Life Long Learning & Supplemental Educational Services (SES) for the Classroom and the Home. Our Living Library and websites are constantly being updated and expanded to add new Information and Resources for Personal, Professional and Life Long Learning. Our Mission is to develop a World Wide Community of Individuals and Organizations with a passion for Social Entrepreneurship, Life Long Learning, Mentoring and Teaching. This goal is being achieved by sharing the Best Educational Information and Resources via the Internet.

"CAMM Worldwide is a new campaign from Connect a Million Minds (CAMM), Time Warner Cable's philanthropic commitment to connect youth to ideas, people and opportunities that will inspire them to become the problem solvers of tomorrow. Fact: The U.S. ranks 35th in math and 29th in science worldwide.* To better understand how attitudes and beliefs among young Americans contribute to our poor rankings, we traveled to three countries that rank significantly higher in math and science literacy - Finland, China and Australia - and interviewed young people, parents and teachers about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and related issues. We compared what we heard from these nations to responses from interviews conducted here in the U.S."

"The mission of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation is to provide underserved Americans with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary for financial success throughout life. The FINRA Foundation envisions a society characterized by universal financial literacy. Established in 2003, the FINRA Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects aimed at segments of the investing public that could benefit from additional resources. These resources come in various forms. Our grants allow researchers to explore investor behavior and develop practical ways to avoid costly mistakes and prepare for the future. Grant funding also helps nonprofit organizations ensure that reliable financial and investor education is available to all who need it, when they need it-at the workplace, online 24/7, or wherever it's most effective. By sharing research and tools broadly, the FINRA Foundation adds to the collective wisdom about how best to help investors. Such information also shapes our directed programs. When we work on behalf of military service members and their families, with older Americans nearing or in retirement, or with students in all parts of the country, we have the opportunity to apply the latest research and adapt innovative strategies to their circumstances and needs. Our goal is to reach more and more investors each year, educate them on their own terms, and teach them how to protect themselves in a world that is complex and dynamic."

"Our Mission: Through its network of more than 100 CEOs, Change the Equation pledges to create widespread literacy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as an investment in our nation that empowers us all. Our Goals: Change the Equation works towards three critical goals: Great Teaching: Improve STEM teaching at all grade levels, with a larger and more diverse cadre of highly capable and inspirational STEM teachers. Inspired Learners: Inspire student appreciation and excitement for STEM programs and careers to increase success and achievement in school and opportunities for a collegiate education, especially among females and students of color. A Committed Nation: Achieve a sustained commitment to improving STEM education from business leaders, government officials, STEM educators and other stakeholders through innovation, communication, collaboration and data-based decision making.

"The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) provides knowledge to trusted professionals who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Together, we generate lasting positive change. History: Chartered by Congress in 1990 to advance environmental knowledge and action, our ultimate goal is to activate environmentally responsible behavior in the general public. The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 established the National Environmental Education Foundation as a complementary organization to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), extending its ability to foster environmental literacy in all segments of the American public as well as leveraging private funds that EPA, as a federal agency, could not access. In the almost two decades since then, the annual appropriation we receive from the EPA's Office of Environmental Education has enabled us to tap millions more in private and other governmental funding. The strong relationship we've built with the EPA has allowed us to multiply our resources and deliver innovative education programs which encourage environmentally responsible behavior. Our strategy is to reach the public through a powerful network of trusted professionals who can help Americans make everyday choices for a healthy life and healthy environment. Working with a network of health professionals, weathercasters, land managers and teachers our programs reach hundreds of thousands of households and translate in to direct actions, saving millions of dollars as well as reducing energy use, protecting nature, and improving the health of thousands of children."

"Stenhouse Publishers started in 1993 with two employees in a one-room attic walk-up in York, Maine. That fall we published six titles. Today, a dozen employees work in our offices overlooking Monument Square in the heart of Portland, Maine, editing, marketing and producing a catalogue of more than 200 books and videos. Stenhouse publishes professional development books and videos by teachers and for teachers. All of our titles are grounded in a philosophy of education that respects both teacher and learner. And all are designed to integrate theory, research, and practice in an accessible manner. Good professional resources encourage teachers to step back and ponder important questions, such as: "Why do we teach these concepts in these ways?," and the closely related, "Is there a better way? Our titles cover a range of literacy topics, from reading comprehension to classroom management. On a larger level, our publishing program strives to support professional growth and create a culture of inquiry for teachers at all stages of their career and for learners of all ages. Stenhouse is part of Highlights for Children and a division of their subsidiary Teachers' Publishing Group.

"Applied Scholastics International is a non-profit, public benefit organization formed in 1972 by educators from colleges, universities, and both public and private schools. The mission of Applied Scholastics International is to provide effective education services, training and materials to educators, parents and students to enable individuals to learn how to learn and become self-motivated lifelong learners. In countries throughout the world, from urban centers in Europe and America to the townships of South Africa, Applied Scholastics is helping both children and adults learn how to learn, utilizing methods that have proven to be effective at all levels of educational development. These methods, known as Study Technology, were developed by author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. Applied Scholastics™ educational programs utilize and teach Study Technology, producing routinely excellent results. It has been established repeatedly that these results can be replicated by students, parents, teachers and business trainers from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds. Study Technology enables students to understand and apply what they have studied and to retain this ability throughout their lives. Applied Scholastics delivers effective teacher training programs that teach teachers about Study Technology and how they can use it in teaching their students. Teachers can come to the Applied Scholastics campus in St. Louis, Missouri or Applied Scholastics can come to you!"