Once upon a time, nonfiction books for children routinely included concise, stodgy writing. Most of the books were text heavy, with just a few scattered images decorating, rather than enhancing, the content and meaning. But nonfiction has changed dramatically over the last two decades, evolving into a new breed of visually dynamic, engaging texts…

Communities of practice offer reference librarians a conceptual model through which to develop and maintain general and subject specific knowledge. Reference librarians acquire general and subject-specific knowledge in many ways, sometimes independently and sometimes collaboratively. Applying the concept of the "community of practice" to reference…

The information world in which library and information science (LIS) students study and are being educated is in a state of constant change. As Web 2.0 is becoming an important and central topic in our information world, the research reported here explores whether LIS students are familiar with technological changes and innovations, and whether…

Packed with ideas and instructional activities that cut across all content areas, this engaging book provides a comprehensive framework for promoting vital Web literacy skills in grades 3-8. Teacher-friendly special features include helpful graphics, sidebars, practical tips, and nearly 100 reproducibles. Using a research-based, classroom-tested…

Over the past decade, educators have stressed the importance of creating exciting and intellectually stimulating environments where students are actively involved in constructing their own understandings. Whether it's designing a WebQuest to spark curiosity in science or establishing an oral history project to spur interest in local history,…

In library instruction, as in any instructional setting, individual learning styles should be addressed to ensure better learning and retention. Historical examination of learning styles research suggests that in order to appreciate the diversity of students' learning styles and to apply this understanding in a library or information environment,…

Describes a three-stage method for organizing a research paper which focuses on teaching the mechanics of organization: (1) organizing the material; (2) the composing process; and (3) revision. Detailed steps are outlined for each stage. (CLB)

Recent research on the brain has identified a number of cognitive strategies for constructing knowledge and improving retention of new information. Classroom teachers have begun implementing many of these strategies in their teaching, but what about library media specialists? As leaders and learners in the Information Age, library media…

Discusses the development of inquiry skills as a legitimate goal for education and possible ways of using technology to support the inquiry process in classrooms. Three elements of inquiry are examined--how inquiry can be motivated, the centrality of questioning, and metacognitive aspects--and examples of classroom projects are given. (EM)

The psychological and educational needs of the growing population of adult students are considered, as well as the availability of necessary library services and materials for this group. The concept of andragogy (i.e., the teaching of adults), is discussed, the literature is reviewed, and a philosophical base is established. (Author/EM)

Discusses flexible scheduling in school library media centers and describes strategies to initiate scheduling that allows library media skills to be integrated into other curriculum areas. Topics discussed include collaboration with classroom teachers, becoming familiar with the curriculum, changes in learning strategies, and changes in the media…

Studies show that metacognitive strategies can increase learning skills and that independent use of these metacognitive strategies can be gradually developed in people. The school library media center is the ideal place for students to learn how to develop metacognitive strategies; that is, they can learn how to connect new information to former…

To achieve the many goals set forth for school libraries, quality libraries containing a variety of printed and visual materials are needed. For example, because there are many differences among individual students, a variety of books at different reading levels and on different topics should be available, and librarians should employ various…

Describes the development and design of an undergraduate course which utilized a marketing principles class to teach students information gathering techniques as part of a college wide competency requirement. The materials and procedures used, roles of instructors and librarians in the course, and evaluation of the project are discussed. (CLB)

A library module skills development component that acquaints students with the organization and location of materials in the library has been developed as part of a coordinated core curriculum for academically deficient students requiring compensatory course work in the social sciences and the humanities. The library sessions, conducted by the…