New issues brief on public library technology
The vast majority of public libraries report that providing education resources and databases for K–12 students is the Internet-based service most critical to the role of the library. In the third of a series of reports related to technology access in U.S. public libraries, the ALA Office for Research and Statistics is highlighting how public library technology supports the educational and learning needs of every person in the community.
ALA. (2009). Supporting Learners in U.S. Public Libraries. Chicago: ALA.
www.ala.org/plinternetfunding
Monday, April 20, 2009
Student writing report
NCTE Report Shows the Need for Schools to Move Away from Scripted Education
According to a new report from NCTE, many students receive an education of drill and memorization but are deprived of high-level thinking activities, intellectual discussions, and opportunities to synthesize information and respond creatively. Unlike many of their counterparts, these schools are focusing more on discipline, instead of encouraging intellectual thinking. According to Kylene Beers, president of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), it is critically important that all students experience a rich, intellectually rigorous curriculum filled with all sorts of writing.
National Council of Teachers of English. (2009). The Genteel Unteaching of America’s Poor. Urbana, IL: Author.
http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Press/Beers.pdf
According to a new report from NCTE, many students receive an education of drill and memorization but are deprived of high-level thinking activities, intellectual discussions, and opportunities to synthesize information and respond creatively. Unlike many of their counterparts, these schools are focusing more on discipline, instead of encouraging intellectual thinking. According to Kylene Beers, president of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), it is critically important that all students experience a rich, intellectually rigorous curriculum filled with all sorts of writing.
National Council of Teachers of English. (2009). The Genteel Unteaching of America’s Poor. Urbana, IL: Author.
http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Press/Beers.pdf
Urban and rural school test scores report
Urban Schools Test Scores Are Encouraging
Part of a new report has compared large urban schools to rural and suburban counterparts in the same state and found encouraging improvement. The report points to a range of explanations for improvements that include the rise of accountability systems; urban school reform strategies; and the growth of mayoral control over city schools.
Brown Center on Education Policy. (2009). The 2008 Brown Center Report on American Education: How Well Are American Students Learning? Washington, DC: Brookings Institution.
http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2009/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2009/0225_education_loveless/0225_education_loveless_release.pdf
Part of a new report has compared large urban schools to rural and suburban counterparts in the same state and found encouraging improvement. The report points to a range of explanations for improvements that include the rise of accountability systems; urban school reform strategies; and the growth of mayoral control over city schools.
Brown Center on Education Policy. (2009). The 2008 Brown Center Report on American Education: How Well Are American Students Learning? Washington, DC: Brookings Institution.
http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2009/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2009/0225_education_loveless/0225_education_loveless_release.pdf
Technology trends report
This yearly report offers their perspectives on technology trends and challenges. For example: 1 year (or less) Horizon: Mobiles and Cloud Computing
2-3 years: Geo-Everything and The Personal Web
4-5 years: Semantic-Aware Applications and Smart Objects
Johnson, L., Levine, A., & Smith, R. (2009). The 2009 Horizon Report. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2009-Horizon-Report.pdf
2-3 years: Geo-Everything and The Personal Web
4-5 years: Semantic-Aware Applications and Smart Objects
Johnson, L., Levine, A., & Smith, R. (2009). The 2009 Horizon Report. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2009-Horizon-Report.pdf
State library agencies report
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) issued its second library statistics report on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2007. The State Library Agency Report for FY 2007 includes a wide array of information on topics such as libraries’ Internet access and electronic services, collections, staff, and revenue. The survey provides state and federal policymakers, researchers, and other interested users information on the range of roles played by state library agencies and the financial, human, and informational resources invested in the agencies’ work.
ILMS. (2009). State Library Agency Report. Washington, DC: ILMS.
http://harvester.census.gov/imls/pubs/stla/index.asp
ILMS. (2009). State Library Agency Report. Washington, DC: ILMS.
http://harvester.census.gov/imls/pubs/stla/index.asp
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
National library statistics
The 2008 Digest of Education Statistics includes a chapter devoted to Libraries and Educational Technology and can be downloaded by itself.
The 44th in a series of publications initiated in 1962, the Digest's primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, and federal funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons.
Digest of Education Statistics, 2008
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/2009020_7.pdf
Libraries and Educational Technology
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009020
The 44th in a series of publications initiated in 1962, the Digest's primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, and federal funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons.
Digest of Education Statistics, 2008
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/2009020_7.pdf
Libraries and Educational Technology
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009020
Monday, March 16, 2009
Teen Online Time study
America's youth are developing important social and technical skills online, often in ways adults do not understand or value. While adults often view online activity as risky or an unproductive distraction, youth understand the social value of online activity and are generally highly motivated to participate. By participating online, young people are learning basic social and technical skills that they need to fully participate in modern society and are able to connect with individuals in different locations and of different ages who share their interests, making it possible to pursue interests that might not be popular with or valued by their local peer groups.
The report also found that online media, messages, and profiles that young people post can travel beyond expected audiences and are often difficult to eradicate after the fact. The rapid pace of change online may also present challenges for both adults and young people as they struggle to keep up with technology and related developments.
“New Study Shows Time Spent Online Important for Teen Development.” John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
http://www.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7BB0386CE3-8B29-4162-8098-E466FB856794%7D/DML_ETHNOG_WHITEPAPER.PDF
The report also found that online media, messages, and profiles that young people post can travel beyond expected audiences and are often difficult to eradicate after the fact. The rapid pace of change online may also present challenges for both adults and young people as they struggle to keep up with technology and related developments.
“New Study Shows Time Spent Online Important for Teen Development.” John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
http://www.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7BB0386CE3-8B29-4162-8098-E466FB856794%7D/DML_ETHNOG_WHITEPAPER.PDF
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