Friday, November 16, 2007

Competency 9--Internet

Vandergrift’s Website

“This website is a means of sharing ideas and information with all those interested in literature for children and young adults.”

“This website began with my own love of children's literature and my belief in the power of both that literature and the children for whom it is created.”

Dr. Kaye E. Vandergrift
Professor Emerita
School of Communication, Information and Library Studies
Rutgers University

After unquestionable consideration I settled on this reputable website which contains a wealth of information on children’s and young adult literature. It is wonderfully constructed and includes literary works, books lists, questions with answers to any literature information you may need, a children’s literacy test (test your own knowledge), and a wonderful site on 9/11 and children. Another consideration for my choice is the website awards it has earned.


The metasearch engine I used to find this website was SurfWax.


November 16, 2007
Created November 11, 1999 and is continuously revised
SCILS, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Competency 8--Multimedia

While searching for an appropriate multimedia component for my competency I came across, "The Illinois Study: Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners". The study was authored by Keith Curry Lance and presented to the Illinois State Board of Education. The presentation is powerful in identifying just how important libraries are tied to student success.

Findings #3 and #4 of the study discuss the importance of larger more current collections in generating an interest for reading, as well as helping students achieve higher test scores. The presentation not only ties in with the importance of literature, but it also relates to my topic of children's and young adult literature.



Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners:

Flash Multimedia Presentation


You may find more information on the study at this website:

http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/illinoisstudy/


© Illinois School Library Media Association, 2005

The Illinois School Library Media Association grants permission to reproduce portions of this book for not-for-profit education use in the classroom, in the school library, in professional workshops sponsored by elementary and secondary schools, or other similar not-for-profit activities. For any other uses, contact ISLMA for permission.

Competency 7-- Social Networking--MySpace

In order to satisfy the requirement for this competency I created a profile in MySpace. This was my first experience with social networking. I chose MySpace because at the present, it seems the most popular.

I then searched for information on my topic of children's and young adult literature. My results were neither relevant or related to my topic. Although,I did come across an amusing video on MySapce entitled "Sesame Street At My Library" which I included on my profile.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Competency 6 - Database Searches

Search Strategy: Successive Fractions

Database--Library Lit

Query: How school libraries are involved in motivating students to read.

I began the search with the term (school library) which yielded 22,391 hits. With too many hits to review, I narrowed the search by applying a limiter 'Peer Reviewed'. The search was narrowed drastically to 3,142 hits. By combining facets S1 and S2 and S3 the yielded results were relevant to my topic.

S1 school library = 3,142 hits.
S2 school library and motivation = 21 hits
S3 school library and motivation and children = 3 hits









Results >>>







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Search Strategy: Building Block

Database--Academic Premier Complete

This search began with the first facet yielding 594 hits. I then added a limiter to narrow the search 'Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals'.

Facet 1 children reading or student reading
Facet 2 motivations or interests
Facet 3 school library or school or library

By combining all three facets I received results pertinent to my topic.












Results >>>





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Search Strategy: Citation Pearl Growing

Database: ERIC

I began with a basic search using the terms (children and reading and habits and school library. The search yielded 46 hits.













From these results I chose the article, "Understanding Reading" written by Barbara Kiefer because it included items relevant to my topic of interest.




I performed another search with the descriptors from the Kiefer article "reading habits" and "school libraries." I also included AU=Kiefer, Barbara, which yielded the same article and no other hits. I then went back to the Kiefer article and applied "Find More Like This" resulting in 56 hits.




Results >>>








Best Results:

The Reading Connection: Bringing Parents, Teachers, and Librarians Together. By: Knowles, Elizabeth; Smith, Martha. 1997 118 pp. (ED409014)

25 and One-Half Simple Things You Can Do To Get Kids Reading. . By: Penn, Matthew. Library Talk, v13 n3 p15-17 May-Jun 2000. (EJ613316)

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Search Strategy: Specific Facet First

Database--WorldCat

I began the search with the facet (elementary librar* and school library and librar*)which I beleived would yield the fewest items. Limiters were selected to narrow the search. The limiters I selected included 'English' for language, 'Articles', and 'Relevance'. I did not have to continue adding additional facets as the search resulted in 3 hits all pertinent to my topic.












Results >>>

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Competency 5 -- Tagging

I chose Across Cultures: A Guide to Multiculture Literature for Children by Kathy East. The book relates to my topic of children's and young adult literature. I believe it is important for children to foster an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of different traditions, cultures, and people.

Tags used to describe the book.

children's literature(1) diversity(1) multiculturalism(1) Multiculture Lit(1)


http://www.librarything.com/work/3934784

Monday, September 24, 2007

Competency 4 -- RSS Feed

I chose an RSS feed from Just One More Book which lists information related to my topic of children's and young adults literature. The feed is as new as information is received. The feed lists provide information on book reviews, author interviews, and podcasts. Anyone can subscribe for free and feeds are updated daily.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Competency #3 -- Podcast

This podcast is an interview with Lauren Collen on my topic of children's and young adult literature and school libaries.

http://www.everyzing.com/viewMedia.jsp?match=query,channel&expand=true&filter=1&num=10&dedupe=1&start=0&mc=en-all&il=en&col=en-all-public-ep&q=children%27s+literature+%2Bschool+libraries&res=46578770&e=10338013&index=7

Lauren Collen is a public librarian working on becoming a school librarian. In one of her library science classes she researched how children respond to digital books during story time instead of using traditional books. Based on her findings Collen found that when using digital books children were more attentive, asked more questions about the text, and the illustrations. There seemed to be more interaction and valuable visual and verbal opportunities for children. Collen asserts that if groups are too large during story time not all children will benefit because they can't often see what is going on. In her research Collen came across an organization called the International Childrens Digital Libraries. There are presently 2,000 children's digital books online and a goal to reach 10,000. The service is free. The website for the digital library is http://www.icdlbooks.org/


I used Everyzing for the podcast search engine and the label: “children’s literature and school libraries”

I am also including a great website filled with an array of podcasts from well-known authors in the literary world. The podcasts are easy to access, exciting and there is an archive dating back to July 2006.

One More Book
http://www.justonemorebook.com/

An Official Excerpt from the Website

One More Book is thrice-weekly podcast which promotes and celebrates literacy and great children’s books. Each weekday morning, we take a few minutes out of our morning coffee ritual to discuss one of our many favourite children’s books.http://cache.libsyn.com/electricsky/JOMB-Promo-01b.mp3

Through this podcast and its website, we are building a lively, interactive community linking children’s book authors, illustrators, readers (parents and children) and publishers.