School Library Staffing &
PSSA Reading & Writing Scores
From
Assessing the Infrastructure Needs of
21st Century School Library Programs
A National Leadership Grant research project
110,000 books, 500 teachers, 20 schools, 11 libraries, and only 2 librarians... Try as we might, we can't be everywhere. Want to connect more kids with books through technology? Want to incorporate 21st century tools into your lessons? Need to advocate for your library? Follow our blog and we will teach you on the fly...
Educators are increasingly using new media and digital technologies to teach and engage their 21st century students. Reading, writing, gaming, trans-media, immersive worlds, augmented reality, and Web 3.0 are all part of the new digital frontiers. Whether it's science or science fiction, Alice in Wonderland or Angry Birds, the dynamics of this new information ecology are transforming learning experiences in our schools. We can lead this learning revolution by ensuring that our library and the learning ecology we create can harness these new environments. How we do this, will determine our success and the future relevance and importance of our school libraries.
Why is information literacy critical to our transformation as an Information Society? The Teaching in the 21st Century video below gives you a unique insight into how the framework of teaching and learning has been dynamically transformed and what we need to do, as facilitators, to ensure our success as a nation moving forward.
So take a few moments to view it and share your thoughts. Pass it along to others…join us in our mainstreaming mission.
I am helping to lead a community of practice initiative in Alberta, Canada. I love the work because it is focused on community and inclusive environments rather than 21st Century skills. More and more I am thinking the skills just need to be embedded in the work, rather than the skills being the work.
IMSA Full Circle Resource Kits are used by thousands of teachers, librarians and technology coordinators to train today's students in critical 21st Century research skills.
Each Kit is packed with articles, curriculum, learning games and assessment tools for strengthening information fluency. Applications include staff development, library orientation, diagnosing students' needs and curriculum integration for elementary grades through college. Kit resources are free.
Libraries are reinventing themselves as content becomes more accessible online and their role becomes less about housing tomes and more about connecting learners and constructing knowledge.
Libraries are reinventing themselves as content becomes more accessible online and their role becomes less about housing tomes and more about connecting learners and constructing knowledge
Printed books still play a critical role in supporting learners, but digital technologies offer additional pathways to learning and content acquisition. Students and teachers no longer need a library simply for access. Instead, they require a place that encourages participatory learning and allows for co-construction of understanding from a variety of sources.
the space does include paper books and physical artifacts, as well as flexible furniture and an open environment, digital content encourages students to explore, play, and delve deeper into subjects they may not otherwise experience
a flexible space with moveable chairs, desks, and even bookshelves. Small rooms can be opened up to allow for group projects, and the circulation desk as well as the sides of the stacks are writeable with dry-erase markers to encourage the collaboration and sharing that the previous space had discouraged.
the role of the coffeehouse in the birth of the Enlightenment -- it provided "a space where people would get together from different backgrounds, different fields of expertise, and share."
interact with the content, the technology, the space, and each other in order to gain context and increase their knowledge.
Students and teachers no longer need a library simply for access. Instead, they require a place that encourages participatory learning and allows for co-construction of understanding from a variety of sources.
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Beyond Google -
AddThis
Posted by Mr. Byrne at 2:12 PM
Labels: Google, Internet search, teaching technology, Teaching With Technology, Technology Integration, web search, web search strategies
5 comments:
SIS Media Specialist said...
Geesh Richard, another great resource; like your posts are not enough. Many, many thanks. I have followed your blog for about a year and have learned SO MUCH. I understand you are from CT. Any chance we can get you to the joint annual CASL/CECA (Connecticut Association of School Librarians and Connecticut Educators Computer Association) conference next year?
October 24, 2009 10:35 PM
Mr. Byrne said...
Yes, I am originally from Connecticut. In fact, I went to CCSU for freshman year. I'd like to come to CASL/CECA. Can you send me an email? richardbyrne (at) freetech4teachers
Thanks.
October 25, 2009 6:47 AM
Linux and Friends said...
Thanks for the amazing document.
I am aware of a few of the resources listed in the document. However, many of the others are new to me. I will definitely check them out.
November 2, 2009 9:45 PM
dunnes said...
I visited and bookmarked four sites from this post! Thank you for the great resource. Students want to use Google rather than stick to the school library catalog, but they need more instruction on how to do this. I have seen too many children search with ineffective terms, and then waste time clicking on their random results.
November 8, 2009 12:38 PM
Lois said...
Beyond Google is a great resource. I wish I had your skills for taking what you learn and putting it together as you do. I love reading your daily blog.
November 15, 2009 10:04 AM
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Beyond Google: Improve Your Search Results
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/10/beyond-google-improve-your-search.html While working with some of my colleagues in a workshop earlier this week, I was reminded that a lot of people aren't familiar with tools