News

Catherine Stephens participated in the Let’s Play MetaTag presentation at the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) in New Orleans. In partnership with representatives from Madison Metropolitan School District, the Academic Co-Lab, and the Sun Prairie School District, the presentation focused on a team process to explore learning object concepts, applications for learning objects in education, and new directions and upcoming plans for Let’s Play Metatag, a “K20 Learning Community.”

Posted by Jo Ann Carr on July 14, 2004

Sei-Ching Joanna Sin, known to us as Jo, began employment with the CIMC on July 1. Jo will be responsible for cataloging new materials, with an emphasis on electronic resources and also provide reference assistance to users of the CIMC. Jo received her Bachelor of Social Science at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and her Master’s degree at UW-Madison’s School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS). She is currently a doctoral student at SLIS.

Shyam Sundar is the new PA in computer services. He is responsible for assisting Chris Dowling in maintaing the computers and the plethora of peripherals CIMC and is eager to assist individuals with troubleshooting their technical problems. Shyan is currently in his second year of graduate study with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with a emphasis in Computer Architecture

Posted by Jo Ann Carr on July 14, 2004

On June 29 and 30, leaders from K-12 and higher education participated in From Vision to Practice 2, a DPI and UW System sponsored institute that examined the role of information and technology literacy for student success. Two of the strands of the institute served to provide initial training to participants in the Department of Education funded project on Evaluating State Education Technology Programs. The impact of the Big6 (TM) and 6+1 Trait Writing Model (TM) programs on student learning will be studied as part of this project. (See http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dltcl/imt/evalindex.html for additional details.) Strands on evidence based practice and 21st century skills provided additional resources for success in learning.

All four strands discussed in the institute will impact the teaching and learning environment in Wisconsin schools. Results from the study of the Big6 (TM) and 6+1 Trait (TM) models will impact the ways in which information and technology literacy are integrated into the K-12 curriculum. Evidence based practice is a hallmark of the No Child Left Behind act (see http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml?src=fb). Among the requirements of NCLB is demonstration of technology literacy by the end of eighth grade. 21st century skills is the focus of a partnership of educational organizations and members of the technology industry that recognizes that 21st century learners will require not only knowledge of core subjects but learning skills and must know how to use 21st century tools in a 21st century context. (See http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/ for more details).

Posted by Jo Ann Carr on July 12, 2004

We've added a quick link to the new education database described in the CIMC April news blog, on our Reference Gateway to Research in Education page.

The EBSCO Professional Development Collection database, designed for educators, provides full text for over 750 journals, including more than 350 peer-reviewed titles. Full text is available back to 1965 for some periodicals. The format of this database will be familiar to ERIC database users.

In addition, we've changed the description of the ERIC database to announce upcoming availability of HTML full-text for ERIC Documents. Questions? Just stop by at the CIMC Reference Desk.

Posted by Amanda Werhane on July 12, 2004

CIMC staff continue to compile tutorials for software applications available in CIMC Labs. Topics include Windows and Mac OS basics, Dreamweaver, tips for creating web graphics, Adobe software for graphic design, Inspiration and concept map tools, and class based applications for Microsoft Office. To request additional tutorials on lab-based software, contact Catherine Stephens at cstephens@education.wisc.edu.

Posted by Catherine Stephens on July 12, 2004

Students, faculty and staff can kick back and relax as the browse the new materials display area at the CIMC. The fortress like appearance of the old reference desk has been transformed by lounge chairs, plants, curtains, and a colorful area rug. New materials added to the CIMC collection are added on a weekly basis and the addition of a soothing poster will soon add to the comfort of this new area in the CIMC.

Posted by Jo Ann Carr on July 12, 2004

As part of the transition to the new full text ERIC database, access to electronic full text of ERIC documents will not be available in August 2004. During this month, ERIC documents can be accessed on microfiche at the CIMC. Microfiche may be checked out or scanned for printing and electronic transmittal. The new, free full-text ERIC database will debut on September 1 at http://www.eric.ed.gov/.

The new database will include indexing and abstracting for all ERIC documents and journal article entries for 1966-2003 as well as free full text for all documents from that time period for which ERIC has copyright clearance. Documents for 2004 forward will be added through a self submit process following guidelines being developed by the ERIC Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will also advise the ERIC contractor on future enhancements to the database.

Posted by Jo Ann Carr on July 11, 2004

Continuing increases in the cost of print journals and serials, the availability of print titles through electronic services and document deliverty, and a desire to add new journal titles not available from other UW System libraries or electronic sources are all factors in the CIMC's recommendation to cancel 23 professional titles and ten titles for children and young adults. Comments regarding these proposed cancellations and recommendations of titles to be added to the CIMC collection should be sent to Jo Ann Carr (carr@education.wisc.edu) by August 15, 2004.

Professional titles under consideration for cancellation are: Adult education quarterly, Chronicle of higher education, Clearing house: journal for modern junior and senior high schools; Education and society, Educational evaluation and policy analysis( Also at Memorial Library); Educational media and technology yearbook, Focus on exceptional children, Gifted child today, High school journal, History teacher (Also at Memorial Library); Independent school, International journal of science education, Journal of counseling and development, Journal of developmental education, Journal of experiential education, Planning and changing, Preventing school failure, Review of education, pedagogy and culture; School library media activities monthly (Also at SLIS Library); School psychology review, Science activities, Something about the author (Also at CCBC); and Teaching exceptional children. Children's and young adult magazines identified for cancellation are Calliope, Cricket, Crinkles, Faces, Highlights, Junior scholastic, Ladybug, Plays, Spider, and
Stone Soup.

Posted by Jo Ann Carr on July 11, 2004