Twitter brain...and how to overcome it.
Cognitive neuroscientist, Maryanne Wolf is concerned the way we read digital information is affecting how our brain deals with the more in depth processing of the printed word, changing circuitry in the brain that's been developed over several millenia.
The brain is the innocent bystander in this new world. It just reflects how we live.
"The brain is plastic its whole life span," Wolf said. "The brain is constantly adapting."
Wolf, one of the world's foremost experts on the study of reading, was startled last year to discover her brain was apparently adapting, too. After a day of scrolling through the internet and hundreds of emails, she sat down one evening to read Hermann Hesse's The Glass Bead Game.
"I'm not kidding: I couldn't do it," she said. "It was torture getting through the first page. I couldn't force myself to slow down so that I wasn't skimming, picking out key words, organising my eye movements to generate the most information at the highest speed. I was so disgusted with myself."
This article in the SMH gives an interesting, and disturbing, observation of the effects of digital reading and its possible consequences. The answer appears to become "bi-literate". In supporting readers of the digital age, libraries are well placed by providing children's storytime programs and printed books along with ebooks and other e-learning resources and helping to avoid "twitter-brain".
Ruth
The brain is the innocent bystander in this new world. It just reflects how we live.
"The brain is plastic its whole life span," Wolf said. "The brain is constantly adapting."
Wolf, one of the world's foremost experts on the study of reading, was startled last year to discover her brain was apparently adapting, too. After a day of scrolling through the internet and hundreds of emails, she sat down one evening to read Hermann Hesse's The Glass Bead Game.
"I'm not kidding: I couldn't do it," she said. "It was torture getting through the first page. I couldn't force myself to slow down so that I wasn't skimming, picking out key words, organising my eye movements to generate the most information at the highest speed. I was so disgusted with myself."
This article in the SMH gives an interesting, and disturbing, observation of the effects of digital reading and its possible consequences. The answer appears to become "bi-literate". In supporting readers of the digital age, libraries are well placed by providing children's storytime programs and printed books along with ebooks and other e-learning resources and helping to avoid "twitter-brain".
Ruth
Glaring omission for the DD Trolley - where's mini Barbie?
In our original photo mini Barbie was peeking over the top of the trolley, anchored by tape to prevent her wandering off on a new adventure.
Unfortunately she got cropped.
Here is another photo with all contributions from recent trainees, including from Debbie A.
Unfortunately she got cropped.
Here is another photo with all contributions from recent trainees, including from Debbie A.
Belated news re staff changes in the Interlibrary Loan Team
Farewell Meagan. Welcome Guy and Tynelle.
Meagan has flown away, soaring high in the sky. The reference workroom is much quieter without her style and fun sense of humour. Meagan learnt the ropes so quickly it was easy to forget she was The Trainee.
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The Interlibrary Loan Trolley has been enhanced with 1960s figures representing the Reference Staff and the challenge has passed to Guy and Tynelle.
Guess who didn't want to be part of the crowd and has his own sports car? And you might not recognise me as I am represented by an extremely long legged model but I did wear a similar outfit in the 60s.
Dianne
Photo by Max. Trolley enhancers Lisa, Melissa, Alison, Paul, Cathy and Meagan.
Meagan has flown away, soaring high in the sky. The reference workroom is much quieter without her style and fun sense of humour. Meagan learnt the ropes so quickly it was easy to forget she was The Trainee.
.
The Interlibrary Loan Trolley has been enhanced with 1960s figures representing the Reference Staff and the challenge has passed to Guy and Tynelle.
Guess who didn't want to be part of the crowd and has his own sports car? And you might not recognise me as I am represented by an extremely long legged model but I did wear a similar outfit in the 60s.
Dianne
Photo by Max. Trolley enhancers Lisa, Melissa, Alison, Paul, Cathy and Meagan.
Reading - Fun for everyone
The be promoted in are May the children's reading resources:
In2era picture books
In2era picture books
Literacy Planet
Ziptales
Ziptales
BusyThings
World book early world of learning
National Family Reading Month is May, encouraging parents to read with their children and thereby hopefully informing adults with low literacy skills to improve their own reading abilities well.
I am well aware that most staff know how these things work, as they have been using them on the mobile devices, and promoting to storytimes etc. There may, however, be some of you who are unsure of the differences between the resources, this is for you!
NOTE: Most of these require Adobe Flash player to open the books, so to be able to use it on iPhones, Androids and tablets one will need to install the browser called Puffin and access it through that. This bypasses the need for Adobe Flash player.
Why would I use this?
In2Era's picture books online helps children develop literacy and a love of books.
This database is online books, divided into categories and graded for reading levels.
What do I need to know?
I am well aware that most staff know how these things work, as they have been using them on the mobile devices, and promoting to storytimes etc. There may, however, be some of you who are unsure of the differences between the resources, this is for you!
NOTE: Most of these require Adobe Flash player to open the books, so to be able to use it on iPhones, Androids and tablets one will need to install the browser called Puffin and access it through that. This bypasses the need for Adobe Flash player.
Practise
Is the same for each of the 5 resources
Grab one of the tablets, use Puffin to open and use a book, game, activity.
Pretend you are a customer, use the controls, navigate backwards, try to login a second time, work out the answers to the questions before they ask.
In2era picture booksPretend you are a customer, use the controls, navigate backwards, try to login a second time, work out the answers to the questions before they ask.
Why would I use this?
In2Era's picture books online helps children develop literacy and a love of books.
This database is online books, divided into categories and graded for reading levels.
What do I need to know?
- Picture Books Online is a collection of classic picture books from Era Publications.
- It takes a little time to load...be patient.
- The categories are Eerie Tales, Picture Books, Readalong, Traditional Tales, Wings and Wings Language which does not appear to be active (it's for those of ESL)
- Children can read the story or listen while it is read to them and there are activities associated with each story, drawing and picture creation as well as quizzes and other activities.
- Each title is given a short synopsis and is given a reading age.
- Books look like books and each 'page' needs to be turned, by using arrows at the bottom. They can be easily started, stopped etc.
- Requires Puffin
Literacy Planet
Why would I use this?
Under each final level is a game, puzzle, activity etc. which helps develop the particular skill selected.
Why would I use this?
What do I need to know?
Divided into:
Busythings
Why would I use this?
Why would I use this?
The Early World of Learning contains three learning environments, each targeting a critical area of the development of young learners in early elementary grades.
What do I need to know?
Features
Why would I use this?
- Very much a teaching 'english' and a remedial tool, good for tracking progress.
- Develop English literacy skills while playing games
- Over 10,000 exercises to make literacy fun.
- Parents need to be involved especially at the lower levels.
- Progress can be tracked and 'free' games can only be played once enough credit points are earned.
- Literacy Planet covers key areas of English literacy:
- Pre-Reading, Phonics, Reading, Vocabulary, Spelling, Grammar & Comprehension very comprehensively.
What do I need to know?
- To begin using Literacy Planet parents will need to create a student account for each child.
- The library account is JC2466 ....plum98. Use this to practise.
- This account allows you to track your child's progress and they will receive motivational rewards.
- Once the student accounts have been created you will be emailed a unique login for each child.
- Whenever your children return to Literacy Planet they can login to their personal account and continue from where they left off.
- Tell customers to write down their user name and password as the only way to find it out again is to ring them, in Queensland. (This is due to privacy issues as they are children's accounts!)
- It will not allow further people added to the one barcode after the first signup...so join all the kids in the one family at once, if their progress is to be tracked!!
Features
There are many levels in each Learning area..see screen shot. Under each final level is a game, puzzle, activity etc. which helps develop the particular skill selected.
- To play in the Arcade, one needs to earn credits.
- So don't forget the books, they can be enjoyed without having to do any work.!!!
- Competitive children will love this.
- Requires Puffin
Ziptales
Why would I use this?
- A less structured approach to learning, giving the learner more choice than Literacy planet.
- A library of educational stories, games, videos, comics, jokes, poems, puzzles and activities.
- Ziptales is a reading program for children aged 6-12 focused on literacy, primary education, games and edutainment.
- Fully aligned to the Australian Curriculum (English)
- All primary levels (Foundation to Grade 6)
- Teach a love of reading.
What do I need to know?
Divided into:
- Developing literacy : catering for the Early Years - Preschool to Year 2. There are190 texts, divided into 12 different cataegories eg. puppet plays, make & do, Australian Curriculum English
- Extending Literacy: Middle & Upper Primary - Year 3 - Year 6. ther are 400 texts, divided into 23 categories eg. choose your own adventure, skill builder, myths and legends, yucky!
- Easy to access, just type in your barcode and you are away!
- The books are developed for the online environment. Pictures appear as one reads the story or they 'do' what the text is talking about
- Requires Puffin
Busythings
Why would I use this?
- This is learning, well disguised as fun.
- Over 120 online learning games involving literacy, numeracy and problem solving for 3 to 6 year olds. Children, parents and teachers can quickly and easily access fun yet educational activities and games that promise to educate and entertain young children.
- Quickly and simply give small children an interactive online game to occupy them. The bonus is they are learning the basics without a whiff of it seeming educational.
- The activities range across literacy, numeracy and problem solving, including: Letters - Shapes & Sounds, Phonics, Numbers, Basic calculation, Shapes, Maze games, Cause and effect games, Mouse Skills
- It is bright and exciting from the first minute, even waiting for the games to load is designed to keep a small person interested.
- BusyThings works on iPhone and Android without the Puffin browser, the view is different and there are fewer 'games', but essentially is the same
- Every movement of the mouse elicits a sound. The icons increase as the mouse runs over them.
- There are very few written instructions, it waits for the user to click on something to see what happens, or uses spoken instructions.
- Does not require Puffin
Why would I use this?
The Early World of Learning contains three learning environments, each targeting a critical area of the development of young learners in early elementary grades.
What do I need to know?
- Trek’s Travels offers narrated stories, interactive games, and original videos that teach critical early childhood themes, including numbers, shapes, colors, opposites, and more.
- Welcome to Reading provides leveled reading practice to develop and strengthen phonics, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and comprehension skills.
- Know It is a child’s first online encyclopedia. Know It provides a richly visual interactive encyclopedia that will captivate early learners with nonfiction topics of interest and importance to them.
Features
- As well as books it has songs, videos, games and activities.
- It grades by reading level.
- It reads aloud the various options as the mouse runs over them.
- Requires Puffin
Australian Local Government Guide
This resource is now online, so can be accessed from any of the branches.
We do have a subscription, and it is only one user, so will require a user name and password, if accessed on the Opacs or TAC PC's.
Password etc. is in the usual place.
Having found the entry in Encore
clicking on the access online link will take you to a page where this is front and centre
Click view our database now and you get to search both the
Local Guide to Government (which inside is called the Local Guide)
and Who's Who in Business in Australia (which inside is called Who's who business)
Results will display but until you login, with password etc you cannot see the entry
Jacinta
**************************************************************************************
Important: This email / fax and any files transmitted with it are confidential
and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you have received this email / fax in error please notify the
sender via return mail. You must not disclose the contents of this email / fax
to any third party without the consent of the Sender.
**************************************************************************************
We do have a subscription, and it is only one user, so will require a user name and password, if accessed on the Opacs or TAC PC's.
Password etc. is in the usual place.
Having found the entry in Encore
clicking on the access online link will take you to a page where this is front and centre
Click view our database now and you get to search both the
Local Guide to Government (which inside is called the Local Guide)
and Who's Who in Business in Australia (which inside is called Who's who business)
Results will display but until you login, with password etc you cannot see the entry
Jacinta
**************************************************************************************
Important: This email / fax and any files transmitted with it are confidential
and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you have received this email / fax in error please notify the
sender via return mail. You must not disclose the contents of this email / fax
to any third party without the consent of the Sender.
**************************************************************************************
Local Historical Databases
The Theme for this month's spotlight on databases is local history. "Local History - it's personal" will be promoted to the public -so take some time to look at the following databases to see what's on offer to "place"people in the local landscape.
Picture Sutherland Shire
Why would I use this?
Try searching for an image using the website and any local search term. Limit the search to a date range. Once you have done this try the search using other variables.
If you can't think of a topic try the following :
Find a picture of horses at Cronulla in the 1920s
Once you have found one select one that has reproduction rights available noting the Master File (MF) number.
Print an order form and complete for the following conditions : 1 printed image the size of a standard postcard for personal use. Calculate the cost for posting when ready.
Selective Historical Local Newspaper Index 1900-1985
Why would I use this?
Try searching for a newspaper article on any topic using any search term
Identify one item and write down the name of the newspaper, the date and page number
Go to the microfilmed copy of the newspaper and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the article.
Try searching for a council minute on any topic using any search term. Identify one item and write down the name of the Council committee, the date and the minute number. Go to the microfilm/fiche copy of the council meeting minute and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the minute.
Selective Index to Local Newspapers 1986-
Why would I use this?
When someone wants to use the local newspapers and Sutherland Shire Council Meeting minutes to find information on a particular person, place or event after 1985 and up to 1991 for Council minutes, the dates specified for ceased publication newspapers and to the present day for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader.
What do I need to know?
Try searching for a newspaper article on any topic using a keyword search. Sort the list by date. Modify the search by a range of years. Identify one item and write down the name of the newspaper, the date and page number. Go to the microfilmed copy of the newspaper and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the article.
Try searching for a council minute on any topic uisng any keyword search term. Sort the search by date. Modify the search by material (type "council minute"). Identify one item and write down the name of the Council committee, the date and minute number. Go to the microfilm/fiche of the council minute and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the minute.
Helen
Picture Sutherland Shire
Why would I use this?
- When someone requires an images of a local person, place or event
- When someone wishes to purchase an image for research or for publication
- There are no restrictions on access to the database
- A search for images ca be done via the library catalogue or website
- No access is ever provided to the original image
- If an image is not available to be copied a statement "No reproduction rights available" is included in the record
- There are commercial rates for ordering images to be used for profit
- A reproduction charge is defined as a payment for the use of each image from the Library Collection and is applied when the order is for commercial use.
- Provides access to a huge collection of local images
- Keyword searches using own terms
- Construct searches using suggested subject terms, localities and date ranges
- Provides as online order form which can be printed and either posted or presented in person with payment
- Sizes available and pricelist is included as part of the database
Try searching for an image using the website and any local search term. Limit the search to a date range. Once you have done this try the search using other variables.
If you can't think of a topic try the following :
Find a picture of horses at Cronulla in the 1920s
Once you have found one select one that has reproduction rights available noting the Master File (MF) number.
Print an order form and complete for the following conditions : 1 printed image the size of a standard postcard for personal use. Calculate the cost for posting when ready.
Selective Historical Local Newspaper Index 1900-1985
Why would I use this?
- When someone wants to use the local newspapers and Sutherland Shire Council meeting minutes to find information about a particular person, place or event before 1985
- There are no restrictions on access to the database
- This database is a scanned card catalogue which was originally only available in the Reference room at Sutherland
- A search for a local newspaper or council minute can be done via the library catalogue or website
- It is only selective and is limited for the date range indicated
- If you are using the library catalogue to search you will only be able to view the transcription not the scanned card
- Copies of local newspapers and council minutes are only available for these years on microfilm/fiche at Sutherland Library
- Uses the same database format as Picture Sutherland Shire so search techniques are the same
- Includes a subject index to a manuscript located in the Local Studies Room at Sutherland Library called "Sutherland Shire Council : The First Fifty Years 1906-1956 by former Shire Clerk David Kirkby
- Includes an index to Sutherland Shire Council Minutes from 1957-1985
- If you access the Library catalogue to search you can do a federated search across the following formats: books, vertical file (where catalogued), photographs, newspaper article references (where readable) and maps (if catalogued)
Try searching for a newspaper article on any topic using any search term
Identify one item and write down the name of the newspaper, the date and page number
Go to the microfilmed copy of the newspaper and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the article.
Try searching for a council minute on any topic using any search term. Identify one item and write down the name of the Council committee, the date and the minute number. Go to the microfilm/fiche copy of the council meeting minute and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the minute.
Selective Index to Local Newspapers 1986-
Why would I use this?
When someone wants to use the local newspapers and Sutherland Shire Council Meeting minutes to find information on a particular person, place or event after 1985 and up to 1991 for Council minutes, the dates specified for ceased publication newspapers and to the present day for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader.
What do I need to know?
- There are no restrictions to access this database
- This database is provided as part of the Library Management system
- It is available via the catalogue (via link) and library website
- It is only a selective index and is limited in date ranges
- Copies of newspapers and council minutes are only available on microfilm/fiche or hardcopy for later years and viewable at Sutherland Library
- After 1991 full text council minutes are available on Council's Lotus Notes Electronic Business Papers and so are not directly available to the public
- Includes an index to Sutherland Shire Council minutes 1986-1991
- The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader is still indexed and entries added regularly
- Keeps a list of searches in history for the session so you can go back to the original search
- Searches can be sorted by date and modified by item type and/or year
Try searching for a newspaper article on any topic using a keyword search. Sort the list by date. Modify the search by a range of years. Identify one item and write down the name of the newspaper, the date and page number. Go to the microfilmed copy of the newspaper and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the article.
Try searching for a council minute on any topic uisng any keyword search term. Sort the search by date. Modify the search by material (type "council minute"). Identify one item and write down the name of the Council committee, the date and minute number. Go to the microfilm/fiche of the council minute and view on the microfilm reader. Locate and print the minute.
Helen
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