Discusses factors for libraries to consider when starting and maintaining an audiobook collection, including patron profiles; funding and budgeting; selection and ordering; listener preferences, including abridged versus unabridged titles; packaging and appearance; shelving and location; and future possibilities. A sidebar provides detailed…

Guides librarians in evaluating "filtering" software which schools may purchase for restricting access to potentially inappropriate Internet sites. This article discusses the workings of filtering programs and practical and ethical questions such as: how sites are restricted, who decides, and whether transactions are monitored.…

Examines the young adult novel "California Blue" and provides related learning activities designed to foster critical thinking skills in high school students. The novel is set in the Northern California logging country where environmental concerns pit a teenager against his family and community. Addresses issues of citizenship education.…

Maximum likelihood and Bayesian procedures are presented for item selection and scoring of multidimensional adaptive tests. A demonstration with simulated response data illustrates that multidimensional adaptive testing can provide equal or higher reliabilities with fewer items than are required in one-dimensional adaptive testing. (SLD)

Interviews recruiters and human resources professionals to discuss what staffing professionals look for in a resume, the worst resume problems staffing professionals find, and what applicants can expect to happen after a resume has been received. (SNR)

This article first defines instructional technology and provides examples for early childhood special education in general, identifies current issues in higher education, and then identifies specific instructional designs, strategies, and media applications for persons involved in early childhood special education personnel preparation. (Contains…

Examines a number of adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) grammar textbooks via an author-designed checklist to analyze how well they incorporate the findings from research in communicative language teaching (CLT) and in form-focused instruction (FFI). Concludes that although a few textbooks incorporate some of the research findings of CLT and…

Israel's Software Evaluation Project sets national standards for hardware and software that is used in schools. All courseware must be approved for technical requirements and pedagogical content. After approval, the courseware is certified for use within Israel's school system for 2 years. Three times each year, schools, inspectorates, and…

Studies elementary Catholic-school educators, with a focus on cultural diversity. Discusses key experiences in diverse settings, transforming the curriculum, staffing and hiring practices, and the role of parents in student education. (32 references.) (VWC)

Explains collection mapping for library media collections. Discusses purposes for creating collection maps, including helping with selection and weeding decisions, showing how the collection supports the curriculum, and making budget decisions; and methods of data collection, including evaluating a collaboratively taught unit with the classroom…

Explores electronic journal usage statistics and develops three metrics and three benchmarks based on those metrics. Topics include earlier work that assessed the value of print journals and was modified for the electronic format; the evaluation of potential purchases; and implications for standards development, including the need for content…

This article describes several techniques for structuring storybook reading interactions to best promote emergent literacy development for young children with disabilities. Techniques are presented for increasing the appeal and interactive nature of shared storybook reading and ways to promote children's awareness of naturally occurring literacy…

Describes the use of literature circles, a student-led reading and discussion method that encourages students to see stories in various ways. Explains the student selection of titles, roles of group members, and collaborative projects that complete the activity. (LRW)

Discusses the 1997 recipients of the award that honors books dealing with subjects related to ethnic minorities and race relations in a manner suitable for young readers. The books include the story of the Harlem Renaissance; works on the religious holidays, Ramadan and Hanukkah; and a Japanese-American family album. (MJP)

Discusses instructional design for distance education and suggests a systematic process. Topics include planning; learners; course content; teaching strategies; selection of media; learning environments; technology; resources; and evaluation, including learner assessment and instruction evaluation. (LRW)