International Association of School Librarianship Conference Proceedings
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Implementing Flexible Scheduling in Elementary Libraries
No full textFlexible scheduling in school libraries can provide a mechanism for achieving the learning goals and objectives of both the school library program and the curriculum by making information available at the point of need and by promoting use of the library and its services at a relevant moment instead of on a predetermined schedule. This study examined the successful implementation of flexible scheduling in six elementary schools where no funding was received to support implementation. Telephone interviews with librarians, principals, and teachers provided the data. The preliminary results indicate that, in those schools with successful implementations, flexible scheduling was only a tool to achieve another internal curricular objective, such as curriculum integration or literacy improvement. In addition, education of stakeholders is essential; and it must emphasize strategies for effective use of the programs supported by flexible scheduling and their potential learning outcomes rather than simply provide information on how flexible scheduling works
Censorship as a Human Dynamic: An International Perspective
No full textBy their very nature, democracies around the world affirm belief in intellectual freedom of thought, speech and written word. In every such society, however, a counterforce exists that would limit such freedom and impose restrictions and sanctions against material viewed by some as anti-moral or anti-social. Free speech and censorship are opponents on a battlefield where each side to the conflict feels a righteous and indignant claim on behalf on its own cause.
This paper presents a psychological perspective which tries to understand censorship - where it comes from, who "has it" and why, and how it functions in all human beings to keep them psychologically safe and sane.
Based on personality theory, this paper explores the psychological indications for censorship as a human dynamic and its bases in family ideology, social group norms, demographic factors and individual personality development. This paper does not consider the legal, moral or politcal aspects of censorship, nor does it recount the may blatant subtle censorship events and conditions in countries around the world. Rather, it considers the individual and group conditions underlying personality development that are likely to result in the individual\u27s inclination to assume legal, moreal and political censorship activities
The Principal\u27s Role in Developing Information Literacy: Finding from Australia and Canada
No full textIASL and IFLA have provided funding for an international study of the principal\u27s role in developing and supporting information literacy. In this paper, the researchers describe the development of this international project and report on the progress of the study in two of the participant countries, Australia and Canada. Some preliminary findings are presented related to both the research questions and the research methodology. This information will be of interest to researchers who might want to replicate the study in other countries. The completed research should provide information that will be useful to principals and school librarians in countries throughout the world, as they struggle in difficult times to provide quality schooling and information services and to contribute to the development of literate and independent library users
Internet Censorship: Access Issues for School Librarians in a Cyberspace World
No full textConverging communication technologies offer merizing potentialities for global access to local culture. However, concerns about controversial images and ideas on the Internet have inspired both political and technological challenges to open access. Over the past two or three years, a bewildering array of software products has appeared on the U.S. and Canadian markets that claim to be able to either "filter or \u27rate\u27 Intemet-based contenL Typical product claims are couched in the rhetoric of child protection and parental guidance.
In the cyberspace universe of instant access to information and in ages of all kinds, how should school librarians around the world respond to these commercial products? How can they find a reasonable balance between the sometimes conflicting goals of parental responsibilities, children\u27s educational and developmental interests, media literacy, and community standards?
In view of what appears to be a growing political resolve in many countries to impose technological controls on Internet content, and a trend towards more and more labeling of creative expression in just about every other medium of communication, it is timely for librarians in all sectors to examine these issues and address the implications for information access. The topic of Internet filters is an exciting one for librarians because it represents the intersection of our roles as advocates for intellectual freedom, as organizers of infomation, and as promoters of media literacy. It gives us the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise, and to increase our contribution to society at large and around the world
We\u27ve Done Research, Now what? Multimedia Authoring as a Report Tool
No full textThe professional literature and research conclude that new technologies produce either similar or superior results to conventional classroom instruction, arguably because technology has positive effects on students’ attitudes towards learning and gives students more control over their learning. Teacher-librarians, as information specialists, facilitate the student’s gathering and understanding of information from all available sources, including electronic. The use of multimedia authoring as a forum for reporting follows logically. Teacher-librarians, as technology coordinators, can facilitate the many aspects of a multimedia project—working with various-sized groups, deciding on the best use of resources, planning with classroom teachers, timelines, and handling challenges
Libraries and Reading Habits Among Elementary School Children: The Concept of the Classroom Collection
No full textThe elementary school regards the development of reading skills and the cultivation of free reading among students as one of its tasks. one of its ways of achieving this is to operate libraries in the school. Some schools provide only a central library. Some societies or locales, however, also believe in operating classroom collections in the elementary grades, so as to increase children\u27 a exposure to books and reading. The reading habits of 301 fourth-grade students in Israel were examined. The sample included: (a) children who participated in a class library project in grades 2-3, with a central library also existing in the school; (b) children who participated in a class-library project in grades 2-3, with no central library in the school; and (c) children who did not participate in a class-library project, while having a central library in the school. Certain contribution of the class library project emerges, but the realization of this contribution depends on the existence of a central library in the school. A class library is not a substitute for a central collection. It can only constitute one approach among different approaches that can encourage children reading
Delphi Studies: The Value of Expert Opinion Bridging the Gap - Data to Knowledge
No full textThis paper reports an as yet unfinished Delphi investigation of information management futures. Too often the personal aspect of information provision is overlooked in the light of the dramatic development of technology. However, behind every technological advance there is a provider whose role it is to source, organise and disseminate the information gleaned via that technology. To investigate what is at heart a very subjective situation—an individual’s reaction to a changing work place—the Delphi approach seemed most appropriate. Designed to collect expert opinions as independent, considered views on a commonly debated topic, this method offered structure and validity without a framework too formal to allow for personal, subjective considerations. A Delphi approach provides a unique methodology for studying the trend of future developments. In this particular study it demonstrated a clear perception by senior members of the profession as to the future
Commonwealth Caribbean Disability Access Policies: Access to Educational Institutions and Libraries
No full textDisability Acts are aimed at providing disabled students with both physical and intellectual access to education. The research takes into account UNESCO’s mission and Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) that education as a fundamental human right lies at the heart of equal access. The document analysis approach was used to select six Caribbean countries’ disability Acts to examine the kind of access indicated for educational institutions and libraries. The roles of the stakeholders who are expected to implement the Acts were also examined. Additionally, document analysis was used to determine if what was seen in these Acts were actually being implemented. The disability Acts selected were those from a Commonwealth Caribbean country that developed national policies or acts on disability and that the Acts had specific articles on access to education for disabled persons. It was discovered that the clauses with regards to access and stakeholders’ role in implementing the Acts were very limited. There is also a significant gap between what is written in the Acts and what is actually taking place. One recommendation that was suggested was that each country treat their Act as a priority as equal access is a human right as emphasized by UNESCO
Development and Evaluation of An Investigative Learning Support Program for Elementary School Students to Search and Understand Subjects in Social Studies from Multiple Dimensions
No full textThis study developed an investigative learning support program that had two steps with multiple features including pillars of investigation for searching and grasping subjects of learning from multiple dimensions and then evaluated the goal achievement of the program. We examined literature and included reference materials and image maps, both with and without clues, and incorporated the tasks of revising or adding pillars of investigation in the program. Although there are some issues such as the consideration of instructions and prior support methods for students who have little experience in investigative learning, some students met the achievement goals of the program
Developing Students’ Information Skills based on Empowering 8 Information Literacy Model in The Siyabalanduwa Educational Zone, Sri Lanka
No full textAccording to the statistics of the Examination Department in Sri Lanka, Monaragala is one of the lowest ranked educational zones of the at the General Certificate in Education (Advanced Level) Examination which is the final examination in school education. Siyabalanduwa division, a rural area located about 280 km away from the the capital of Colombo, has been obtaining the lowest rank in this examination during each year. Therefore, the researchers decided to carry out an action research as a pilot program, with the collaboration of principals, instructors and school librarians in this education division in order to remedy the above problem. Nine schools which were conducting courses of instructions for the advanced level examination in this division, were chosen for the research. Initially, a three day workshop was conducted for a group of 40 members which included principals, three advanced level teachers of the science, arts, and commerce streams and the school librarians. The concepts of information and learning, resource based learning, information literacy, empowering 8 information literacy model and information literacy skills were discussed during the first two days. The method of carrying out an action research was presented on the final day. As an outcome of this action research, each school decided to conduct a one month information literacy orientation program for newcomers to the advanced level classes. To identify the students’ prior knowledge, a common written paper was applied as a pre-test. After analyzing the students’ answer scripts, each school prepared an action plan which was conducted using the school library, audio visual room, and the computer laboratory, as a collaborative teaching learning process. Apart from that the NILIS research team conducted another three day workshop. On the First two days the research team visited each school and perused the students’ pre and post test marks, lesson plans, activity sheets, student work, and written reflections. In addition, discussions were held with each school principal, teacher, school librarian and the students participating in the research. On the final day writing an action research report was introduced. After conducting the action research, each school submitted its report to the National Institute of Library & Information Sciences (NILIS) and the Director of the Zonal Education Office, Monaragala. On analyzing the reports, it was perceived that there was a considerable improvement between pre and post test marks in each school. The students’ reflections too elaborated the importance of this program for their future studies. In 2016 the Zonal Education office conducted a two day conference for all advanced level school teachers, and school librarians in the Monaragala District promote this program as a solution for the problem