International Association of School Librarianship Conference Proceedings
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Information Technology Adoption in Botswana Secondary Schools and its Implications on Leadership and School Libraries in the Digital Era
No full textThe objectives of this paper are to examine the principals’ transformational leadership qualities and to juxtapose this to Information Technology adoption in Botswana secondary schools. Using David et al. (1989) Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Todd’s (1999) transformational leadership constructs, and qualitative open-ended questions, a research tool was formulated to establish the perceptions of school heads in 10 urban and 14 rural schools, about computer technology acceptance, the role of the school library in the integration of computers in the school and transformational leadership. The findings point to a trend towards computer acceptance and transformational leadership, albeit some indications of computer anxiety, some feelings about the lack of computer usefulness and ease of use, as well as leadership issues, like the lack of functional school libraries. One of the most relevant findings was the positive correlation between perceived ease of use of the computer statement to some leadership constructs
Pedagogically Sound Learning Objects: Towards a Useful Classification
No full textIn spite of the numerous discussions in literature, the learning object remains an illdefined concept. In this paper, rather than attempting to clearly define what a learning object is, I discuss kinds of computer-based creations that might be recognized as a learning object by the community involved in design and use of technology-based educational resources. This discussion is supported by a small-scale inquiry into kinds of learning objects identified from a collection of resources developed by some teachers and instructional designers in Singapore. Six unique categories of potential learning objects were noted and defined through the inquiry: presentation object, practice object, information object, simulation object, conceptual model and contextual representation. These kinds of learning objects are discussed in this paper. The paper opens a possibility for the proposed categories to be challenged or for more categories of learning objects to emerge in further inquiries involving examination of larger repositories of learning objects
Promotion of creative learning exchange philosophy
No full textTraditional approaches to organizational management focused on the analysis of individual problems and incremental change. In a modern society full of rapidly evolving science technology, what used to work seems no longer to suffice as schools continue to experience complex changes. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to see the consequences as a result of our decisions and to learn from experience. No longer can a person derive a sense of security and comfort from merely doing a day\u27s work for a day\u27s pay. Neither can an employee quietly pursue his or her job, while totally unconcerned about what other partners are doing. Sad to say, not much can be expected of today’s school curricula to meet enterprises’ requirements. This explains why a school library plays an important role in putting together the school’s and local community’s resources for the purpose of promoting readers creative learning exchange(CLE) concept, building in them a systematic thinking model and developing their capabilities in solving problems
School Media Programs and Middle Grades Science Achievement: Results of a Study Performed in Michigan, USA
No full textThis paper describes a research study, completed in late 2004, in which the researcher examined the relationship between school media programs and science achievement in grade 8 students in Michigan schools. This paper reports the results of a mixed method sequential explanatory study undertaken to uncover the connection between school media programs and science achievement as well as the factors present in the relationships between school library media specialists and science teachers that encourage student achievement on state-mandated standardized tests
Using Large-Scale Assessments to Evaluate the Effectiveness of School Library Programs in California
No full textThis California study examined the relationship between the presence of school libraries, as defined by credentialed staffing, and student achievement, as measured by both criterionreferenced and norm-referenced assessments in both English-language arts and mathematics. Using the California School Characteristics Index to compare 4,022 schools with similar demographics at Grades 4, 7, and 10, both positive and negative statistically significant relationships were found between the presence of a school library and student achievement at Grades 4 and 7. There were no statistically significant positive relationships found at Grade 10. These findings do not support previous studies that used different methods of comparing schools with similar demographics. Also unlike previous studies, the overall effect sizes of the positive relationships were small, the average being an increase in student achievement of 2%. Factors within the school library at Grades 4 and 7 were also examined, and both positive and negative statistically significant relationships to student achievement were found
Real World Research - Using Collaboration between Researcher and Practitioner to Maximize Research Outcomes
No full textThis paper focuses on the relationship between researcher and practitioner, and discusses the mutual benefits to each. Janet Murray\u27s doctoral research used case study as a primary research technique. One of the case study schools was Essendon Keilor College in Victoria, where Barbara Bugg was then Head of Curriculum Resources. Both authors realised the benefits of working together and felt that it was important to communicate to others how the process worked. The paper will discuss the factors that contributed to the development of an excellent working relationship between the research team and the school library staff. Methods of effective communication, provision of feedback and dissemination of research results throughout the school are also described. 
National Information Policies - A Comparative Study with Particular Reference to South Africa and School Libraries
No full textThe government of South Africa has committed itself towards the obliteration of poverty and to achieve social and economic development. National information policies are used by countries to address these and other problems. A national policy is generally motivated by public and political party concerns and legislation is passed as the best option to meet the ideal set by the government for the issue(s) on hand. Within modern society education can be linked to national development. School libraries form an integral part of the modern approach to teaching and learning. School library development in South Africa is shown to be problematic in a number of ways. Similar problems exist in other African countries. Recommendations are made for the government of South Africa to address these issues in a national information policy. Many other African countries should also address the development of school libraries. 
Canadian First Nations Women Preservice Teachers\u27 Experiences and Perceptions Regarding Technology
No full textThe primary purpose of this research was to collect data for Canadian First Nations educators and policy makers to use in making decisions surrounding issues of First Nations women and technology education. Nine First Nations women preservice teachers at the intern stage of their Indian Teacher Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan were engaged in indepth interviews concerning their experiences and perceptions regarding technology.
The study found that the participants defined technology first and foremost as computer-related. Some viewed technology from the cultural aspect, and thought technology used for financial gain would take away from traditional family values. The participants thought that women needed technology training and that they needed to develop self-confidence and become role models in order for First Nations women to exercise leadership in the field of technology.
The participants stated that their university experience was responsible for most of their learning about technology. They did not, however, feel prepared to face the technology they would encounter in schools.
Intimidation, stereotypes, the lack of access and exposure to technology, the lack of a good self-image, lack of time, and lack of role models were perceived to be some of the biggest barriers to First Nations women learning about and using technology. Men in their use of intimidation and stories with negative images of women and technology were perceived as one of the strongest deterrents to First Nations women advancing in the area of technology.
Findings from this study had significant implications. First Nations teacher preparation programs should include required credit courses and establish daycare centers. Band controlled schools should update computers and make provisions for technology education by providing for such courses. Further research such as a collection of stories embracing positive images of First Nations women involved in technological pursuits should be undertaken to help ameliorate the status of First Nations women in technology
Addressing Plagiarism through Improved Notetaking
No full textThe expanding range of information sources available for student research activities has led to greater awareness of the occurrence of plagiarism in its various forms. The opportunity offered by electronic information sources (in particular the internet) for students to plagiarise and get away with it is of particular concern to teachers. Is the issue of plagiarism as clear cut as it seems and is the same approach adopted by universities to deal with plagiarism the approach that should be taken in secondary schools? Is plagiarism an ethical issue or a learning one? This action research project looks at the approach taken in the author\u27s school to raise staff awareness of the complex issues surrounding plagiarism and to trial learning strategies to minimize the occurrence of plagiarism. The action research project looked specifically at notetaking skills across the curriculum and how teachers can build the teaching of notetaking into their research assignments
Evaluating your Collection to Facilitate Literacy
No full textHow can we evaluate a library collection to facilitate literacy? Before we can effectively answer this question we first need to look at the terms "collection" and "literacy." The meanings of both of these terms, particularly as they relate to school librarianship, have evolved in the past several years