News

We are happy to report that the transformation of room 356 into a computer classroom is on schedule. In February, the University trades staff promised to finish by the first week in March, and they haven't disappointed. Electricians finished their work last week, and the final touches (dusting and waxing) are what remain for the construction phase. In the next phase we will be acquiring furnishings for the classroom. Staff are currently sending purchase orders for new tables, desks, chairs, computers, and monitors. Everything should be in place for the start of summer classes.

Posted by Chris Dowling on March 1, 2006

Today's younger generation, referred to as the "NetGen Student", arrive on college campuses out of a world quite different than the world of older adults. Young people today are immersed in a wider variety of media and pervasive use of the internet for school study and for building social connections. Young people today thrive in online communities, rely on cell phones and instant messaging, build friendships both near and far, and create their own worlds with access to media and computing tools.

As young people learn and grow with broader access to information and tools for growth and learning, a growing body of literature and resources has emerged intended to help educators understand today's new student. Authors and speakers in the field include:

SoE Professor James Gee's recent article "High Score Education - Games, not school, are teaching kids to think" asks "why aren't kids learning?"
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.05/view.html?pg=1

Diane Oblinger, Professor of the Practice at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Oblinger writes about the "netgen student" and is a frequent speaker in conjunction with EDUCAUSE.
http://www.educause.edu/educatingthenetgen

Apple Computer currently features leading edge author and speaker Ian Jukes, an advocate for restructuring our educational institutions to become more relevant to the current and future needs of children. Jukes explores the idea of "digital native" students learning preferences, as compared to "digital immigrants".
http://www.apple.com/au/education/digitalkids/disconnect/landscape.html

Most of us have heard the WYSIWYG phrase "what you see is what you get". Carl Berger, Professor and Dean Emeritus at the University of Michigan, School of Education, coins a new phrase, WINWINI "What I need when I need it". WINWINI helps illustrate the non-linear learning preference emerging in today's new students.
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERM0221.pdf
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/cberger

Apple Computer, a leading producer of innovative products targeted at the younger generation, highlights student achievements in digital media online.
Apple's Student Gallery showcase
http://edcommunity.apple.com/gallery/student/

For educators, technology is not longer just a tool. Instead, technology is part of the environment in which we live, breath, work and play. Your questions and comments are welcome. Send to Catherine Stephens at cstephens@education.wisc.edu .

Posted by Catherine Stephens on March 1, 2006

On Monday, February 20, six library media staff members from Beaver Dam Public Schools visited the CIMC to learn the secrets of creating displays that are "in sync" with the curriculum. This workshop included research on the importance of displays in engaging students in literature and in learning. After touring the CIMC and viewing a wide variety of displays, including a Display on Developing Displays, and learning tips on developing a display schedule, participants worked in groups to develop their own plans for themed displays. Interested in learning more? The resources used in the workshop can be found here:

Display handout for teachers

Tips and Tricks for creating exciting and inviting diplays

For more information contact Lisa Teyema at lmteyema@wisc.edu

Posted by Lisa Teyema on March 1, 2006

Find out what CIMC staff members enjoy reading by checking out the "Books We Love" display during March. Staff from each department were asked to find a book or movie from the CIMC's collection and tell why they like it. We chose a wide array of both professional literature and children's books.

Do you have students who speak more than one language? Are you interested in foreign language and bilingual books? Visit the CIMC's March display of bilingual and foreign language items. Titles include Wo die wilden Kerle wohnen and Jorge el curioso.

March is Women's History Month, and to celebrate, the CIMC will display items featuring women in history.

Over the past few months, the CIMC has expanded its graphic novels collection. Come in and see which titles we have and find texts on why they're good to use in the classroom.

On February 20, the CIMC hosted a professional development event for school librarians on the library display. Get tips and hints for creating interactive displays and bulletin boards in your classroom by visiting our "interactive display" on the fourth floor.

Posted by Kelly Haferman on March 1, 2006

Education websites and electronic documents recenlty selected by the CIMC

Navigating Resources for Rural Schools
For those interested in educational changes taking place in rural America, providing access to recent data collected by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and to resources available through selected contractors and grantees of the U.S. Department of Education.

Best Practices in Technology Integration
Links to an instructional lesson plan database, the Core Teaching Skills for an Information Age web site, and the ACTS in PA grant web site. Contains video segments of interviews with teachers using technology effectively in student instruction.

Teachnology: the Web Portal for Educators
This web portal provides teachers with tools and resources on teaching with technology. Includes links to online lesson plans, printable worksheets, rubrics, educational games, teaching tips and advice, education news, web sites reviews, and more.

The Mozart Effect
An introduction to the current discussion and research on the Mozart Effect, with bibliographical references and links to related web sites. Part of the Human intelligence: Historical influences, current controversies, teaching resources web site from Indiana University.

Success Strategies for Engaging Girls and Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Introduces the webcast Success Strategies for Engaging Girls and Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Materials from the webcast, including speakers' powerpoint presentations and webcast transcripts, may be downloaded.

We the People: American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States
"This report provides a portrait of the American Indian and Alaska Native population in the United States and discusses the largest specified tribal groupings, reservations, Alaska Native village statistical areas (ANVSAs), and areas outside reservations and ANVSAs (outside tribal areas) at the national level. It is part of the Census 2000 Special Reports series."

Project Interactive. Lessons
The goals of Project Interactive are the creation, collection, evaluation, and dissemination of interactive Java-based courseware for exploration in science and mathematics. The Lessons section provides over 70 lesson plans geared towards grade 6-8 mathematics and based on NCTM standards. Concepts covered in this section include number and operation, geometry and measurement, function and algebra, and statistics and probability.

Student Achievement in Private Schools: NAEP 2000-2005 Results
"This report is the first to focus on private school students' performance on NAEP assessments. It provides results in reading, mathematics, science, and writing in 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2005. Specifically, it focuses on the three private school types that combined enroll the greatest proportion of private school students (Catholic, Lutheran, and Conservative Christian) as well as private schools overall. It also compares the performance of students in these schools to that of public school students to provide additional perspective."

Posted by Vince Jenkins on March 1, 2006

Selected new professional titles for March emphasize arts education.

Arts Together: Steps Toward Transformative Teacher Education, by Beth Berghoff, Cindy Bixler Borgmann, N. Carlotta Parr. (National Art Education Association, 2005).
LB2360.2 .B37 2005

Digital Art History: A Subject in Transition, edited by Anna Bentkowska-Kafel, Trish Cashen, and Hazel Gardiner. (Intellect, 2005).
N7433.8 .D48 2005

Writings in Art Education: Recipients of the Manuel Barkan Memorial Award 1970-1999, edited by Paul E. Bolin. (National Art Education Association, 2005).
N85 .W75 2005

Posted by Vince Jenkins on March 1, 2006

Selected new juvenile literature for March also feature art and "artists"

A Book About Design: Complicated Doesn't Make It Good, by Mark Gonyea. (Henry Holt and Co., 2005).
LTY NK1510 .G58 2005

Elephants Can Paint Too!, pictures and text by Katya Arnold. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005).
LTy QL737.P98 A765 2005

Toulouse-Lautrec: the Moulin Rouge and the City of Light, by Robert Burleigh. (H.N. Abrams / Art Institute of Chicago, 2005).
LTy N6853.T6 B87 2005

Posted by Vince Jenkins on March 1, 2006

The CIMC will have reduced hours during Spring Break. We will be closed both weekends: March 11, 12, 18 and 19th. We will be open Monday, March 13th through Friday, March 17th from 9am to 5pm. Please let us know by calling 608-263-4750 or emailing cimccirc@education.wisc.edu, if there is anything we can do to help assist you during these limited hours.

Posted by Anna Lewis on March 1, 2006

Jo Ann Carr, Director of the CIMC, is now president-elect of the Wisconsin Educational Media Association (WEMA). WEMA "is an independent professional association serving school library media and instructional technology professionals". Her term as president will run from April 2008 to March 2010. We congratulate Jo Ann on this honor and are excited at the prospect of working more closing with Wisconsin's school library media and instructional technology specialists.

To find out more about WEMA, visit their web site: http://www.wemaonline.org.

Posted by Anna Lewis on March 1, 2006