Professional Reading Reviews
Volume 28, Number 3, February 2001
With Ken Haycock
Beyond the book. Technology integration into the secondary
school library media curriculum.
Sandra Doggett
Reviewed by Denyse Tavener
Doggett discusses new approaches and ideas to face challenges
and change as well as the pros and cons of technology, the
development of user policies, and the selection and use of
resources. Of great value is the section on reference skills.
Excellent summaries of the major research approaches to teaching
reference skills are provided. Using these frameworks as
examples, Doggett makes it easy for teacher-librarians to
develop their own taxonomy.
Carefully examining the library from the viewpoint of all
stakeholders (teachers, students, parents and administrators),
Doggett provides comprehensive plans for implementation.
She supports the plan with suggestions and examples of the
various components in current use. Finally, she discusses
practical suggestions on how to use technology. She takes
the theories and puts them into practice, offering an array
of lesson plans from grades 6-12.
Lots of valuable information to provide a foundation for
the development and practice of a first class research program.
(Libraries Unlimited, 2000. $19.50. 177pp. 1-56308-584-4.)
Bottom line: Practical approaches linked to research.
 Buy
online at Amazon.com
Coaching kids for the Internet: A guide for librarians,
teachers, and parents
Gail Junion-Metz
Reviewed by Barbara Weathers barbara_weathers@duchesne.org
Produced in a spiral format with tabs clearly marking the
six appendices, this "learning and teaching tool" is
crammed with relevant information for creating good Internet
learning experiences. Section one gives a brief history of
the Internet and a clear walk-through of how to get started
using both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer. Search
engines, strategies, evaluation and even how to print conclude
a section that could justify purchase by itself. However,
section two tells the reader how to formulate Internet training
for either a school or district with sample training sessions.
Additionally, it provides the advantages and disadvantages
of each Internet tool as well as tips for creating web-based
tools. Section three is both a pep talk and a planning guide
for building positive Internet support in learning communities.
The six appendices include a glossary, netiquette basics
and a detailed chart for search tools that is a magnificent
vehicle for negotiating through subject directories, meta-search
engines and selected Internet search engines. Tucked in the
back is a CD-ROM which serves as an interface to the Internet
resources mentioned in the text: pop it into the computer,
connect to the Internet, and link directly to any of the
many subject-organized sites without having to type in the
URL. Definitely worth the money. (Library Solutions, 2000.
274pp. $60. 1-882208-29-3.)
Bottom line: An addictive, outstanding resource.
Buy
online at Amazon.com
Internet for schools: A practical guide.
Carol Simpson and Sharron McElmeel
Reviewed by Fariyal Pirani fpirani@collingwood.org
While the Internet and other networks remain fluid in nature,
featured are four core components -- E-Mail, Telnet, FTP
and the World Wide Web, where the focus remains on their
structure and function. The authors discuss the merits and
drawbacks of the nine most used search engines, the main
criterion being whether they are based on scanning as directories
or indexes and provide tips on how to select the right search
engine coupled with mistakes to avoid.
The primary aim here is to facilitate the use of the Internet
at the school level and introduce both students and faculty
to this powerful yet at times, overwhelming tool. At the
professional level, tips are provided for making connections
between curriculum and the technology of the Internet and
incorporating the Internet into the library program. This
edition responds to the explosion of the World Wide Web and
covers a wide range of basics. Information provided is somewhat
limited at times, however, and has to be seen as a stepping
stone to information literacy pertaining to the Internet.
(Linworth, 2000. 317pp. $39.95. 0-938865-98-6.)
Bottom line: Internet savvy for the novice.
Buy
online at Amazon.com
Net Curriculum: An Educators Guide to Using the Internet.
Linda C. Joseph
Reviewed by Barbara Weathers barbara_weathers@duchesne.org
Several years ago, when I was struggling to learn about
the Internet, I would have been grateful to find a resource
like Linda Josephs book. Writing in a concise fashion, she
manages to gather a great deal of the information needed
to become a successful Internet educator. Using the "Big6" for
a model project, she shows how the choice of Boolean, key
word or natural language impacts search results and even
provides web sites for creating rubrics for evaluation. Illustrated
screen shots and clear writing leave the reader feeling mastery
even before the first chapter is complete.
Building on this fast start, Joseph goes on to dedicate
a complete chapter to curriculum related web sites and even
provides a specific index for them. Science, Math, Government
are just a few of the content areas and, for added value,
Joseph provides project ideas with still more web site addresses.
Copyright, style manuals and acceptable use policies are
also discussed but my personal favorite is Appendix A where
cheerful cartoons take the reader through a step-by-step
process for "Getting Connected". Defining proliferating
initialisms as ISDN, PPP and ADSL as she goes along, the
readerwhether a Mac or PC user is taken from getting the
right hardware in place to logging on for the first time.
(CyberAge Books, 1999. 178 pp. $29.95. 0-910965-30-7.)
Bottom line: Simplifies and demystifies the journey!
Buy
online at Amazon.com
Worth a Look
101 computer projects for libraries
Patrick Dewey
Intended to inspire and support the development of innovate
projects, this book describes efforts undertaken in a variety
of libraries and associations. Includes contact names, hardware
and software used, and cost estimates. (American Library
Association, 1999. 159pp. $42.00. 0-8389-0772-5)
Adventuring with books: A booklist for Pre-K-Grade 6.
12th edition
Edited by Kathryn Pierce
An annotated bibliography of works published between
1996 and 1999. Discusses the processes, issues and decisions
made in choosing titles on a chapter-by-chapter basis. Indexed
by author, illustrator, subject and title. (National Council
of Teachers of English, 2000. 605 pp. $32.95. 0-8141-0077-5)
Animal rights: A subject guide, bibliography and Internet
companion
John Kistler
An annotated list of over 900 print and Web resources.
Organized into six broad categories, including introductions
to the issues. (Greenwood Press, 2000. 248pp. $39.95. 0-313-31231-1)
Best books for young adults. 2nd edition
Betty Carter
An annotated bibliography of more than 1800 works sorted
into more than 25 themes. Indexed by year and author. Includes
an essay on trends in publishing for youth. (American Library
Association, 2000. 229pp. $35.00. 0-8389-3501-X)
The Big6 collection: The best of the Big6 Newsletter
Michael Eisenberg and Robert Berkowitz
The Big6 is an approach to implementing the learning
and teaching of information and technology skills. This work
provides ideas and guidance for implementing and assessing
it in a variety of educational environments. Includes a discussion
of information literacy. (Linworth, 2000. 216pp. $39.95.
0-938865-97-8)
Color and shape books for all ages. School library media
series no. 18
Cathie Cooper
Calls attention to the more than 450 titles focused on
the concepts of color and image for students from kindergarten
to high school. Categorized by subject, from science and
math to art and illustration. Includes activities worksheets,
and a bibliography. (Scarecrow, 2000. 176pp. $32.50. 0-8108-3542-8)
Effective fund finding in international schools
Gillian Horsley
Provides examples and practical suggestions on different
aspects of fund-raising techniques. (John Cat Educational,
1999. $16.00. 0-901577-44-8.
Excellence in library services to young adults. 3rd edition
Edited by Mary Chelton
Presents thirty programs from across the United States.
Contains program descriptions, funding and contact information.
(American Library Association, 2000. 78pp. $25.00. 0-8389-0786-5)
Extreme searcher's guide to Web search engines: A handbook
for the serious searcher
Randolph Hock
A guide to leading Internet search tools. Discusses their
respective strengths and weaknesses, features, and provides
detailed instructions on their use. (CyberAge Books, 1999.
212 pp. $24.95. 0-910965-26-9.)
From mythic to linear: Time in children's literature
Maria Nikolajeva
Examines the depiction of time and identifies a continuum
of texts ranging >from those depicting non-linear time
to those that express linearity. Argues that the literature
is a displacement of myth, and that it depicts not only "reality",
but a symbolic coming-of-age process. (Scarecrow, 2000. 316pp.
$75.00. 0-8108-3713-7)
Gifted books, gifted readers: Literature activities to
excite young minds
Nancy Polette
Promotes critical thinking, decision making and problem
solving through literature. Provides detailed classroom activities.
Makes suggestions for the creative reproduction, elaboration
and transformation of text. Indexed by subject, author, and
title. (Libraries Unlimited, 2000. 282pp. $32.50. 1-56308-822-3)
Happy birthday, America!
Cindy Dingwall
Outlines library programs and classroom activities to
celebrate the Fourth of July and the birthdays of Betsy Ross,
Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B.
Anthony and George Washington. Features stories, songs, games,
crafts and learning exercises for Grades 1-5. (Highsmith,
2000. 77pp. $15.95. 1-57950-048-X)
Inquiring educators want to know: TeacherQuests for today's
teachers
Kathleen Shrock and Midge Frazel
Provides structured answers to many common questions
about the effective use of technology in schools. Cites sources
for further study and higher-order questions. (Linworth,
2000. 224pp. $39.95. 0-938865-96-X)
Internet resource directory for K-12 teachers and librarians.
2000/2001 edition
Elizabeth Miller
An annotated list of over 1500 web sites for educators,
organized by curriculum areas, with a special emphasis on
the United States. (Libraries Unlimited, 2000. 462pp. $27.50.
1-56308-839-8)
Libraries, the First Amendment and cyberspace: What you
need to know
Robert Peck
Examines the effects of the First Amendment on decision
making and service delivery. Answers questions about censorship,
confidentiality, access, the role of the library, and librarians
rights and responsibilities. (American Library Association,
2000. 217pp. $32.00. 0-8389-0773-3)
Northern Africa; A guide to reference and information
sources
Paula Skreslet
Features nearly 1500 annotated entries for works published
in the 1980s and 1990s. Includes non-traditional sources
and close to 400 web sites. Organized by subject and region,
and indexed by title, author and subject. (Libraries Unlimited,
2000. 405pp. $85.00. 1-56308-684-0)
Recommended books in Spanish for children and young adults:
1996 through 1999
Isabel Schon
Presents annotations for 941 books, including reference,
nonfiction and fiction. Indexed by title, author and subject.
Lists dealers who carry books in Spanish. (Scarecrow, 2000.
376pp. $45.00. 0-8108-3840-0)
Recommended reference books in paperback. 3rd edition
Jovian Lang and Jack O'Gorman
Annotated entries are divided into 26 categories, indexed
by author, title and subject. (Libraries Unlimited, 2000.
315pp. $55.00. 1-56308-583-6)
Short on time, long on learning: Activities for those
teachable moments
Mary Northrup
Details almost 250 quick activities, games and puzzles
for all major curriculum areas for grades 4-6. Arranged by
subject and level of participation (class activities, group/partner
or individual). (Linworth, 2000. 176pp. $39.95. 0-938865-99-4)
The worlds best thin books: What to do when your book
report is due tomorrow. New thinner edition
Joni Bodart
Describes 100 titles recommended for middle and high
school students. Entries include title and author, information
on characters, plot, and major themes, and suggestions for
possible book report topics. Offers tips for preparing book
talks and reports. (Scarecrow Press, 2000. 256pp. $16.95.
1-57886-007-5) |
