Exciting new mobile computer technologies are moving into K–12 education on many fronts. Today, teachers can work with portable media players, audience response systems, smartphones, portable keyboards/small laptops, tablet PCs, laptops, and hand-held devices (personal digital assistants, or PDAs). All of these sport the latest in wireless and other technologies, and all vary widely—and wildly—in function, potential, and cost. This article takes a look at seven types of currently available mobile technologies.

By Charles G. Doe

Social Networking, Part 2: A Toolkit for Teachers

Helping school colleagues keep up with technology trends is a function library media specialists are well-placed to fulfill. It's also a function that can further underscore the importance of the LMS at school. With that in mind, we've turned to Nancy Willard, prominent—perhaps even ubiquitous—spokesperson on the subject of online safety in the face of new Internet technologies. Nancy's feature gives you in-depth ammunition, understanding, and resources to press into service to help your staff and entire school community cope with all aspects of this important new technology trend.

By Nancy Willard

The Changing Face of the Scholarly Web: Finding Free, Quality, Full-Text Articles, Books, and More! [Available Full-Text, Free]

The scholarly Web is getting noticed more because of new digitization initiatives underway and the enormous publicity search leaders are receiving for their fledgling work. Many librarians and researchers seem to be pleasantly surprised by the continually changing face of the scholarly Web and its freely available quality full-text offerings. This article brings together pertinent resources on the free Web of interest to anyone, including librarians and other educators, who conducts research and would like to easily supplement their currently available holdings, in print and electronic formats and via commercial vendors’ fee-based subscription databases, within their own libraries.

By Robert J. Lackie

The Work of the ALA Task Force on School Libraries [Available Full-Text, Free]

Students do better academically in schools that have good libraries, but reports of the elimination of school librarians and library programs keep surfacing. This and other negative trends led the ALA to respond to “the urgent need to support and maintain school library programs and certified school librarians” by forming a Special Task Force on School Libraries last year. Read about the work that’s been accomplished in Task Force member Katherine Lowe’s article.

By Katherine Lowe

July/Aug 2006: Product Reviews

Cosmeo

Susan Hixson takes a look at Cosmeo, the Web-based homework help resource from Discovery Education.

By Susan W. Hixson

PLATO Courses: History, Geography

Alice Kurtz reviews PLATO's semester-long online program for high school History and Geography coursework.

By Alice Kurtz

Simulation Explorer

Sally Finley takes a look at Simulation Explorer, a collection of six science simulations presented at two levels of difficulty based on variables.

By Sally Finley

Type to Learn Jr. New Keys for Kids

Charles Doe reviews Type to Learn Jr. New Keys for Kids, a keyboarding program for students in grades K-2.

By Charles G. Doe

July/Aug 2006: Columns

EDITOR'S NOTES: A Lot to Think About

By David Hoffman

CYBERBEE: Digital Storytelling

In this issue, Linda Joseph's Cyberbee guides you and students to sites with ideas and tools, plus loads of examples, for leaving "a legacy of cultural history for future generations through digital storytelling."

By Linda C. Joseph

THE PIPELINE: What Can MySpace Teach Us in School Libraries?

Always looking for relevance to the field in what's "now" and what's ahead, Stephen Abram notes this month that, in his view, "social networking personal Web sites are not a fad but a strong, long-term trend. Why do I think this? Fads don't evolve; trends do. These social creations on the Web are evolving quickly." Further, he writes, "The sites contain the seeds of changes that will reshape our world. Indeed, they're the next step in group work!" Read on!

By Stephen Abram

THE MEDIA CENTER: What’s It Like to Take an Online Class?

Online learning is one of the most rapidly growing areas of education. It is expected to continue expanding as more colleges and universities increase their offerings. What's it like to take an online class? For this article, Mary Alice communicated with graduate students who have taken multiple online courses from several universities, fulfilling a need to earn course credits toward a degree or to meet professional development goals. Read on to see what they say and what hints you can pick up.

By Mary Alice Anderson

BELLTONES: Technoholics Anonymous?

Mary Ann Bell loves technology, and techno-gadgets--almost to the level of addiction. (Well, not really.) It's not too serious, but it's a problem she says she's working on. In schools, though, with the advent of technology, the problem of unwise purchases seems to have increased dramatically, and it can be serious. In this month's Belltones, Mary Ann get into some of the reasons for this, and what LMSs and their schools can do about it.

By Mary Ann Bell

July/Aug 2006: In the Spotlight

Holt Science & Technology Lab Generator

The Holt Science & Technology Lab Generator CD-ROM aids the planning and management of science labs for grades 5–8.

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