K-12 Students Excel with School eBooks


kids favorites2In a recent post by OverDrive they talk about a recent eBook study done in Australia. The study engaged Australian students with eBooks conducted by the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities and OverDrive reseller Softlink.

Here are the key findings:

  • 41% of student respondents indicated they were reading more than usual by the end of the project
  • 47% of teacher respondents indicated students were enjoying reading more, with 21% believing reading skills were improved
  • 100% of parents/carers expressed desire for ongoing access to eBooks
  • Teachers and teacher librarians saw the greatest benefit was in reading comprehension
  • Students believed using eBooks improved their writing and creativity, and reading independently
  • The benefits of using eBooks are more far reaching than developing confidence using technology
  • The most common devices used for accessing eBooks were school computers, iPads, iPods and home computers.
  • The opportunity to access a range of eBooks enriched the collection of resources available to students and teachers.
  • Reading and writing enjoyment and skills development was evidenced by quality student work samples and feedback resulting from the planned learning activities.

To read more about the study see the original article.

To see our collection of eBooks for doing homework or for reading pleasure visit these sites:

Starting the Conversation: Library Resources for Mental Health Month


May is Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about conditions like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Books covering these topics range from self-help guides and educational texts to stirring memoirs and fictional accounts of character struggles. Calling attention to mental-health issues, and the millions of people around the world faced with them, helps bring about understanding and encourages open discussion about things that can be hard to talk about.

Here are a few good titles related to mental-health issues:

It’s Kind of a Funny Story” – Ned Vizzini
The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music” – Steve Lopez
Moving a Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America’s Returning Troops” – Ilona Meagher
Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Bipolar but Were Too Freaked Out to Ask” – Hilary Smith
How I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill Me” – Susan Rose Blauner
Thirteen Reasons Why” – Jay Asher
Gaining: The Truth About life After Eating Disorders” – Aimee Liu
Madness : a bipolar life ” – Marya Hornbacher.

Additional Library Resources:

Hot Topic – Depression and Mental Wellness

The Beatles: The Orginial Boy Band


Photograph of The Beatles as they arrive in Ne...

Image via Wikipedia

On June 13, 1970 “The Long and Winding Road” became their last number-one song.

The band was formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members at that time were John Lennonon rhythm guitar and vocals; Paul McCartney on bass guitar and vocals; George Harrison on lead guitar, sitar, and vocals; and Pete Best on drums. In 1962 the drummer was replaced with Ringo Starr, who was born Richard Starkey, and the band signed a record contract. “Love Me Do” became popular in the UK, and in 1964, “Beatlemania” had spread internationally.

The past week, Las Vegas hosted Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s educational tour bus recently at the Mirage, younger generations may want to learn more about the Beatles. Start with these online resources available from the Virtual Library.

To learn more about the original boy band, check out :

Libya: A Country in Revolution


Libya

Image via Wikipedia

Today’s featured Topic Page is about Libya, a republic in North Africa on the Mediterranean coastline which is currently in a state of revolution and political upheaval. Using the momentum from Egypt’s successful rebellion against Hosni Mubarak, Libya erupted with mass… Read More…

Topic Pages combine a variety of online Virtual Library resources on a specific topic.  Try one today!

Egypt – Lesson Plan


Egyptian Revolution Lesson Plans

maomeara Feb 17, 2011 10:34 AM – Show original item

View Kissinger’s Perspective: Chaos in Egypt, from Fox News, and lead discussion.

Discussion Guide

Lesson Plan 1–Critical Analysis of Video

View Kissinger’s Perspective: Chaos in Egypt, from Fox News.

Objective:

Students will watch video, answer questions and participate in a discussion on the crisis in Egypt.

Discussion Guide

Lesson Plan 2: Egypt in the News

Newseum’s List of Newspapers
Egyptian Anti-Government Protests

Objective:

Using the two resources above, students will research a variety of newspapers from around the world and analyze their coverage of Egypt.

Lesson Plan 3: Can It Happen in the U.S.?

Read the Constitution of the United States

Objective:

Students will conduct research to answer the question “Can a revolution like the one in Egypt, happen in the U.S.?  Students will use the U.S. Constitution to support their answers.

21st Century Core Content
History
Government and Civics
Geography

21st Century Themes
Global Awareness
Civic Literacy

21st Century Skills
Reason Effectively
Access and Evaluate Information
Interact Effectively with Others
Work Effectively in Diverse Teams
Produce Results
Guide and Lead Others
Be Responsible to Others

Additional Resources
Crisis in Cairo: The Latest from Egypt in Turmoil, from Time Inc.
Israel has Faith Mubarak will Prevail, from Time Inc.
Crisis in Egypt in Global Context, from Stratfor Global Intelligence
Crisis in Cairo Continues, Egyptians Ignore Obama, from The Other McCain
Egypt Revolution, from Newsweek

Additional Resources from U.S. History in Context :

The fear of worse: comparing French and American responses to the Middle East upheavals National Review, February 21, 2011

After Mubarak: A Time to Look Ahead The New York Times, http://www.newyorktimes.com February 15, 2011