Weekly Web Finds -- March 13, 2008

Useless Information

There’s no such thing as useless information to us Librarians, of course.  But Useless Information is a fun site with info that will amaze and astound.  Is it useless?  We report; you decide.  Subjects range from pickles to camels to band-aids.  Naturally, you’ll want to check the information provided here to determine its accuracy.   [URLs:  http://home.nycap.rr.com/useless/]

 

St. Patrick’s Day

Monday, March 17, is St. Patrick’s Day.  The Census Bureau released its Facts for Features on St. Patrick’s Day back in January.  There are 9 places in the U.S. named Dublin.  But only four named Shamrock.  With all this information, you can impress your friends while you’re celebrating.   [URLs:  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011181.html]

 

This Week’s Reports

Just in!  The Final Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel has just been released by the Department of Education.  It looks at what is needed to improve mathematics education in the U.S.  It provides specific suggested goals by grade.

 

The National Foundation for Educational Research in the U.K. released the results of its survey, Attitudes to Reading at Ages 9 and 11.  Among its key findings include: reading enjoyment and confidence have not declined since 2003; comics were reported as being more popular than stories, poems, and information books; enjoyment of reading poems declined significantly.

 

Nationalize the Schools…(A Little)! is a new report from the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.  “In the effort to reform our education system, it is vital that one seeming paradox is understood: It is only by transcending traditional local control, and by getting serious about a new national role in standards and finance, that we can at last create genuine autonomy for local schools.?

 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has issued Interconnections: The IMLS National Study on the Use of Libraries, Museums and the Internet.  It arrived at five conclusions, including: “libraries and museums evoke consistent, extraordinary public trust among diverse adult users; and Internet use is positively related to in-person visits to museums and libraries.?  The IMLS is a federal agency.

 

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has compiled stories about its work in Atlanta.  The Connection Strategy discusses the value of changing our educational system from K-12 to P-16, or “linking education strategies from preschool through college graduation.?

 

[URLs:  http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/report3132008.pdf, http://www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/pdfs/downloadable/RAQ.pdf, http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/03/pdf/nationalize_the_schools.pdf, http://interconnectionsreport.org/reports/ConclusionsFullRptB.pdf, http://www.aecf.org/~/media/PublicationFiles/Connection_Strategy.pdf]

 

Newsworthy

The Wall Street Journal recently included a story, High schools add classes scripted by corporations.  The purpose of this corporate involvement is to “create a pipeline of workers far into the future.?

 

The ALA (American Library Association) has decided to include a gaming pavilion at its next conference, according to ICv2 (ALA adds gaming pavilion).   “Games are a growing area for libraries, with a recent survey indicating that 43% run an actual gaming program and 20% circulate games.? 

 

Getting a jump start on testing is a story in the Washington Post about the use of television to prepare children in Maryland for their Maryland School Assessment Tests.  Called the MSA Jumpstart Jaguar Program, the program is aimed at third through eighth grade students.

 

11 states poised to pilot national test for seniors is a story from Education Week.  [Note: remember that you can read up to two articles per week for free.]  “For the first time, a select group of states is expected to take part in a 12^th grade version of the National Assessment of Educational Progress in reading and mathematics, a move that could lay the foundation for even greater state participation at that grade level on the heavily scrutinized test.?

 

[URLs:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120476410964115117.html?mod=djemPJ, http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/12207.html, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/05/AR2008030502046.html?hpid=sec-education, http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/03/11/27naep_web.html?levelId=2300&tmp=1473438559&]

 

Kidz Online

Kidz Online is a free tool for teachers and students that includes “over 1,000 digital learning resources … custom created interactive streaming videos for technology training, financial literacy and geospatial skills.?  There are separate channels for teaching technology fundamentals, career options, encouraging girls’ participation and competitions.  The material is designed for middle and high school students.   [URLs:  http://www.kidzonline.org/TechTraining/]

 

Vote Now -- Oddest Title!

Go to Bookseller.com and participate in the poll (on the right of the screen) for the Diagram Prize, the Oddest Title of the Year.  Our favorite?  How to Write a How to Write Book.   [URLs:  http://www.thebookseller.com/]

 

Did you know…that tomorrow, Friday, March 14 is Pi Day.  That’s right.  Now you, too, can celebrate pi.  The Exploratorium site includes activities and even pi limericks.   [URLs:  http://www.exploratorium.edu/pi/] 

Comments

[_Cotton_Candy1033_]

No thats a horrible idea.because it will take over childrens mind and make them change if you want to comment plz say if you agree or disagree