[CASL-L] Fwd: AASL Hotlinks – January 2015

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> From: AASL <mfeatheringham at ala.org>
> Date: January 5, 2015 at 5:17:00 PM EST
> To: Irene <kwidz at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: AASL Hotlinks – January 2015
> Reply-To: AASL <mfeatheringham at ala.org>
> 
> 
> The American Association of School Librarians empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.
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> Volume 13, Issue 10
> January 2015
>  
> 
> 
> In This Issue:
> Association News
> Member Spotlight
> Education News
> Resources for School Librarians
> Partnership and Collaborator News
> Grants & Awards
> Association News
> Julianne Moore Spokesperson for 2015 School Library Month
> Julianne Moore, award-winning actress and best-selling author, will serve as the national spokesperson for the 2015 observance and 30th anniversary of School Library Month (SLM). Celebrated in April and sponsored by AASL, School Library Month honors the essential role that strong school library programs play in a student’s educational career.
> 
> AASL Seeks Bloggers for Knowledge Quest
> AASL seeks bloggers for its newly expanded Knowledge Quest website. To apply, please visit www.ala.org/aasl/kq/bloggers. Responding individuals should demonstrate the ability to write a blog post of 250-500 words on a topic of interest to school library and education professionals on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. The Knowledge Quest blogger position is a minimum one-year commitment, and applicants must be current, personal members of AASL to be considered.
> 
> AASL Sponsors Emerging Leaders Shannon Harris and Melissa Iamonico
> AASL will sponsor two participants in the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2015 Emerging Leaders program. The AASL-sponsored participants will join more than 50 of their peers as the program kicks off at the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. Shannon Harris of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Melissa Iamonico of Hartsdale, New York, will participate in project planning workgroups; network with peers; gain an inside look into ALA; and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers. In sponsoring these two participants, AASL will defray the cost of attending the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting and the 2015 ALA Annual Conference.
> 
> ALA Washington Office Redesigns District Dispatch
> Last month, the American Library Association’s Washington Office launched a new and reinvigorated District Dispatch blog that highlights federal legislation and policy news that impacts libraries. The new District Dispatch makes it easier for library advocates to find important information policy news, search articles, share news and “drill down” further into national policy issues. The new District Dispatch also includes a “Breaking News” feature that makes it easier for advocates to find the most current and critical policy information they need to take action at the national level. Visit the blog today www.districtdispatch.org.
> 
> Pauline H. Anderson, Founder of  AASL's Independent Schools Section, Dies
> Pauline H. Anderson, founder of AASL's Independent School Section, died on December 16, 2014. Pauline was the first female faculty member at Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT, in 1950 and served as the Director of Educational Development and the Director of the Andrew Mellon Library, until retiring in 1983. She became a consultant for libraries around the United States and the world. Pauline also taught during the summers at the University of Hartford. She authored two books on library development as well as numerous articles for trade publications.
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> Member Spotlight
> Ciro Scardina and Christine Payne Receive 2014 Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award
> Ciro Scardina and Christine Payne were honored with the 2014 Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award for demonstrating the critical role librarians play in transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. Nominator Donna Desantis wrote of Scardina: “Ciro is a fan of gadgets that support learning. Using grant funds, he purchased a Promethean Board, AppleTV, 30 iPads, and a student response system. He puts all this technology to fantastic use. Recently, he created a PowToon (a mashup of a PowerPoint presentation and a cartoon) to highlight his rules for the library.” Nominator Rachel Wagner wrote of Payne: “Christy is truly a jack of all trades. In addition to book club and a new Gay Straight Alliance, she also serves as the advisor of Paintball Club. All sorts of students head over to the range with her to speckle themselves in color, and throughout her time at Appoquinimink, she has roped many teachers into the interesting experience as well.” Each winning librarian will receive a $5,000 prize.
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> Education News
> High School Graduates Feel Unprepared for College and Work
> A majority of high-school graduates said they would have worked harder in high school had they understood the rigor of life after graduation, according to a survey from Achieve. Survey data also reveal potential gaps in preparation for one or more subject areas, including doing research, work and study habits, and communication.
> 
> Students Getting Smarter about Posting to Social Media Sites
> Some college admissions officials say high-school students are putting more thought into how their posts on social media websites can affect college admissions decisions. A recent survey found that 58% of students say their social media profiles are "fair game" in the admissions process.
> 
> Students Benefit from Student-Centered Teaching
> A recent study finds the more a teacher uses student-centered approaches, the more his or her students learned, and the better they did on an exam of complex problem-solving that resembles the PISA international test for 15-year-olds. The study, led by Kirk Walters of the American Institutes for Research, showed bigger learning gains for students who had student-centered instruction. However, researchers weren’t able to quantify exactly how much better student outcomes were for each additional increment of student-centered instruction.
> 
> FCC Votes to Raise E-Rate Spending Cap
> The Federal Communications Commission recently voted to raise the spending cap of the E-Rate program by $1.5 billion, providing $3.9 billion for technology for schools and libraries. The vote, which was split along party lines, is the first increase in the program since it was launched in 1997.
> 
> Best Practices for Implementing Online and Blended Learning in K-12 School Districts
> An increasing number of schools and school districts are implementing online and blended learning to help boost graduation rates; address academic shortfalls across multiple student populations; expand their course catalogs; and provide a flexible, personalized learning experience for every student, according to a report. To ensure the success of these programs—whether they are individual courses or full-time online programs—it is important to understand the challenges and obstacles educators may face.
> 
> Teacher Pay Analyzed
> Teachers in some parts of the country reach the top of the pay scale later in their careers, making it difficult for them to reach middle-class status, according to a report by the National Council on Teacher Quality. The report highlights places where teachers earn the most and the least during their careers.
> 
> Students Reading More Nonfiction, but Not Enough for Common Core Recommendations
> A report from Renaissance Learning finds that American students are reading more nonfiction, but not as much as the Common Core recommends. In addition students are reading texts far less challenging than needed to prepare for college or careers. Only a quarter of students in the study spent at least 30 minutes per day reading independently, and nearly half read for less than 15 minutes per day. Students’ reading amount peaks in sixth grade, when they read about 436,000 words per year, then falls to the low 300,000s by the end of high school.
> 
> Assessing Technology’s Impact on Education
> A new policy brief from the National Education Policy Center finds little evidence that marrying digital technology to education has changed schooling for the better. One problem is the absence of a clear model for what actually constitutes computer-based “personalized instruction.” The highest potential for computer-aided benefits resides principally with so-called blended instruction. The brief recommends that policymakers invest in technology incrementally and view skeptically claims for computerized learning that overstep what can be concluded from available research.
> 
> Americans Feel Better Informed Thanks to the Internet
> Most Americans say the Internet and cell phones have brought benefits in learning, sharing, and diversifying the flow of information into their lives. The survey of 1,066 Internet users shows that 87% of online adults say the Internet and cell phones have improved their ability to learn new things. Asked if they enjoy having so much information at their fingertips or if they feel overloaded, 72% of Internet users report they like having so much information, while just 26% say they feel overloaded.
> 
> Higher Education Enrollment Drops 1%
> Fewer students are attending higher-education institutions, according to a recent report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Enrollments decreased among two-year public institutions (-6.0 percent) and four-year for-profit institutions (-0.4 percent). However, enrollments increased among four-year public institutions (+2.2 percent) and four-year private non-profit institutions (+1.6 percent).
> 
> Blending Career and Academic Preparation Reaps Benefits
> Students in a program that links rigorous coursework with career preparation were more likely to earn more high-school credits and be more confident than their peers who did not participate, a study by SRI International finds. The report examines the California-based program Linked Learning, which gives students access to real-world internships and job experience while requiring challenging academic classes.
> 
> Students Favor Using Technology More
> Students and teachers see value in using technology in the classroom, but students would like to increase its use to make learning "more fun," "more interesting" and to help prepare them for the workforce, while teachers want to meet achievement goals, a report by CompTIA finds. The study also found that boys have more confidence in their technology skills than their female peers.
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> Resources for School Librarians
> AISR Releases New Tool for Measuring Learning Time
> The Annenberg Institute for School Reform (AISR) released a web-based tool for school and district leaders, reform support partners, researchers, and community organizations around effectively measuring the process and impact of expanded and re-imagined learning time. The tool offers a range of measures beyond standardized test scores that encompass the entire context surrounding educational improvement on indicators such as teacher leadership; engaged student learning; and student, family, and community engagement.
> 
> Tips for a Successful School Technology Rollout
> It is essential to focus on how to lead staff through the transition when launching a technology rollout, Rob Dickson, executive director of Information Management Systems for Omaha Public Schools, writes in this blog post. He offers several suggestions to support technology in schools, including the importance of professional development.
> 
> How to Create Productive Co-teaching Partnerships
> In this blog post, Elizabeth Stein writes, "By now co-teachers around the nation have had a chance to get off on the right foot. I hope you had a flying start! Maybe even hit the ground running! The first goal for co-teachers is to pave the way for a successful year by establishing a learning environment that nurtures a sense of community. Some of you are skipping along a self-generated, smooth partnership pathway -- while others may find themselves on shaky ground."
> 
> Tips to Help Educators Stay Focused on Student Learning
> Classroom technology and other learning resources sometimes can overshadow the foundational need for educators to remain student-centered, division principal George Couros writes in this blog post. He shares five questions he says can help educators maintain this focus.
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> Partnership and Collaborator News
> P21 Announces 21st Century Learning Exemplars for 2014-2015
> P21 announced 15 new 21st Century Learning Exemplars for 2014-2015! Application window for 2016 is now open, and all schools are encouraged to apply. Patterns of Innovation: The 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program, shares and celebrates the experiences of schools and districts that have successfully transformed their students' learning by incorporating elements of the P21 Framework into teacher practice, curriculum, assessment, and professional development. The newly announced Exemplars include 10 public schools, 2 independent schools, 2 charter schools, and 1 private early learning school.
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> Grants & Awards
> USDA Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award
> Each year the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the National Agriculture in the Classroom Consortium recognizes five exceptional teachers by presenting them with the Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award. This competitive program recognizes a select group of teachers for their successful efforts in teaching agricultural concepts in their curriculum. Maximum award: $500; up to $1,500 for travel-related expenses to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference. Eligibility: pre-K-12 teachers. Deadline: January 15, 2015.
> 
> Vernier Engineering Contest
> To recognize creative teaching, Vernier Software & Technology is sponsoring a contest for high school and college teachers. Maximum award: $1,000 in cash, $3,000 in Vernier technology, and $1,500 toward expenses to attend the 2014 ASEE conference in New Orleans. Eligibility: teachers in schools serving grades K-12, as well as post-secondary undergraduate college departments are eligible. Deadline: January 15, 2015.
> 
> 2015 White House Student Film Festival
> Organizers for the annual White House Film Festival are asking K-12 students to produce a film that explains "The Impact of Giving." Eligible short films can last up to three minutes, and they can be fictional stories or documentaries. Visit the Film Festival website to see examples from past winners. Prize: Winning films are screened at the White House, and students have the opportunity to be invited to the premiere. Deadline: January 20, 2015.
> 
> 2015-2016 Teaching and Principal Ambassador Fellowship
> Applications for the Department of Education’s 2015-2016 cohort of Teaching and Principal Ambassador Fellows are now available. For more information about the application process, visit the Teaching and Principal Ambassador Fellowship program pages or go directly to the applications for the Teaching and Principal Fellowships on USAJobs.gov. Deadline to apply is January 20, 2015.
> 
> William Reese Company Teacher Fellowship
> Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invites applications for the 2015–2016 William Reese Company Teacher Fellowship. The Reese Teacher Fellowship is open to high school educators. Applicants may be affiliated with a public, private, or charter school. Reese Teacher Fellows will be selected on the basis of their project narrative and the potential to enrich high school curriculum based on an interdisciplinary connection between American art primary and secondary print resources and a subject topic. Creative research projects focusing on utilizing library resources to enhance traditional teaching methods and engagement in non-art classes are particularly encouraged. Deadline: January 20, 2015.
> 
> C-SPAN StudentCam
> C-SPAN's StudentCam is an annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students are asked to create a short (5-8 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the competition theme "The Three Branches and You." Maximum award: $5,000, plus $1,000 in digital equipment for school. Eligibility: individuals or teams of two to three students grades 6-8 or grades 9-12; Deadline: January 20, 2015.
> 
> DuPont Challenge 6-12 Science Writing Competition
> The DuPont Challenge is designed to let middle school and high school students develop their science writing skills. This year, students must write a research-backed essay in one of 4 categories: food production, energy, conservation/preservation and digital innovation. Essays must be between 700 and 1000 words and must be submitted electronically. Prize: There are two divisions, including one for grades 6-8 and 9-12. The top three winners in each division win a prize pack, plus a savings bond of $5,000, $3,000, or $1,000. Honorable mentions in each division receive prize packs, plus a $200 savings bond. Deadline: January 31, 2015.
> 
> Google Code-In 2014 Challenge
> Google is sponsoring its annual Code-In challenge, which asks students aged 13-17 worldwide to put their technology skills to work. Students claim tasks from Open Source organizations in several categories, including coding, documentation, and quality assurance. Their work on these tasks is then judged by each Open Source organization. The challenge runs for seven weeks beginning December 1, 2014, and students are judged on their bodies of work during the competition. Prize: Students are eligible to receive a certificate, T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts for completing tasks. Grand prize winners receive a trip to Google’s headquarters in California. Deadline: January 31, 2015.
> 
> Books for a Brighter Tomorrow
> Annie and Sony Pictures, in collaboration with the National Education Association (NEA), is offering Books for a Brighter Tomorrow, a national grants program for educators interested in putting more diversity on shelves in classrooms and school libraries. Grants of $1,000 are available to public schools that serve economically disadvantaged students in order to enrich book collections with diverse children’s literature and offer titles that give kids and their families a chance to discover themselves—and their life experiences—in stories. Deadline for completed applications is January 31, 2015.
> 
> Learning and Leadership Grants from The NEA Foundation
> The NEA Foundation's Learning and Leadership grants program is designed to fund professional development experiences or collegial study for public educators in the U.S. Examples of professional development programs include summer learning institutes and field research projects. Grants for collegial study enable educators to pursue higher education programs like "study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences." Prize: Grants are available from $2,000 to $5,000 for both programs. Deadline: February 1; June 1.
> 
> National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award
> The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is the nation's highest honor for out-of-school arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people, particularly those from underserved communities. This award recognizes and supports excellence in programs that open new pathways to learning, self-discovery, and achievement. Maximum award: $10,000. Eligibility: Programs initiated by museums, libraries, performing arts organizations, universities, colleges, arts centers, community service organizations, schools, businesses, and eligible government entities. Deadline: February 2, 2015.
> 
> Innovation Generation: Christopher Columbus Awards
> The Christopher Columbus Awards Program combines science and technology with community problem-solving. Students work in teams with the help of an adult coach to identify an issue they care about and, using science and technology, work with experts, conduct research, and put their ideas to the test to develop an innovative solution. Maximum award: the $25,000 Foundation Community Grant and an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to attend the program's National Championship Week, plus a U.S. Savings Bond of $2,000 for each student team member. Eligibility: middle-school-age (sixth, seventh, and eighth grade) children. Deadline: February 2, 2015.
> 
> World of 7 Billion Student Video Contest
> For Population Education’s World of 7 Billion Student Video Contest, high school students from around the globe are challenged to create a short video (up to 60 seconds) about human population growth that highlights one of the following: the world is in the midst of the sixth mass extinction; most of the world's suitable farmland is already under cultivation; or worldwide, 1 in 10 primary school age children and 1 in 3 secondary age children are not enrolled in school. All videos must include a) how population growth impacts the issue, b) why the issue is important, and c) at least one idea for a sustainable solution. The first place winner will receive $1,000; second place winner $500; and honorable mentions $250 each. All students, grades 9-12, worldwide are eligible to participate and win. Entries are due by February 19, 2015.
> 
> World Hunger Leadership Challenge
> The World Hunger Leadership Challenge was created by the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation and the Lift a Life Foundation, with assistance from the Yum! Foundation, to encourage middle and high school students to hone leadership skills by completing a service-learning project that solves hunger issues. Teams of students from public, private, and charter middle schools and high schools are invited to enter. Each team must create and execute a service-learning project  that attempts to solve a local, statewide, or national hunger-related issue; develop an action plan to achieve the goal; and demonstrate leadership. Each entry must include a written summary or video overview of the project and quantifiable results. Submissions will be accepted through April 17, 2015.
> 
> Fund for Teachers Grants
> The Fund for Teachers provides funds for direct grants to teachers to support summer learning opportunities of their own design. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: teachers who work with students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with a minimum of three years teaching experience, full-time, spending at least 50 percent of the time in the classroom at the time grants are approved and made. Deadline: varies by state.
> 
> Grants to Increase Access to Healthy Foods from the No Kid Hungry Foundation 
> Providing students access to healthy and nutritious meals is the focus of No Kid Hungry Foundation grants. Currently, the foundation supports projects that increase access to summer meal programs, school breakfast and after-school snacks and meals. Plus, advocacy efforts, including anti-hunger issues and needs and educating families about SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children programs. Interested schools can submit letters of inquiry year-round. Prize: Average grants range from $5,000 to $10,000. Deadline: Rolling.
> 
> Adobe Software Grants
> Educators at Title 1 schools are encouraged to apply for software and teacher development grants from Adobe. The program is designed to increase access to Adobe creative tools through the White House’s ConnectED initiative. In addition to software, educators also receive access to on-demand professional development, including webinars, workshops and collaborative courses to learn more about utilizing Adobe creative programs in the classroom. Prize: Schools receive access to a variety of Adobe tools, including Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements. Educators also receive access to online PD courses. Deadline: Rolling.
> 
> Classroom Newspaper Subscription Grants from USA TODAY
> On a rolling basis, the USA TODAY Charitable Foundation awards teachers digital and print subscriptions to USA TODAY. Currently, the foundation is awarding digital subscriptions to teachers on a first-come, first-served basis; print subscriptions are unavailable at the moment. Teachers must submit a short online application to be considered. Prize: Classroom subscriptions to the e-edition of USA TODAY. Deadline: Rolling.
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> AASL Hotlist
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> Member Currents
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> Did you land a new job, attain a new degree or position, or change your name? Tell us about it! Through Member Currents, AASL will provide a forum for updates on its members. Types of updates include graduations, certifications earned, changes in job positions, retirements, name changes, and death notices.                         
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> Tips and Tricks to Creating a Google Site
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> (Clicking these links will first prompt you to log in to the AASL website.)
> AASL Calendar
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> January
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> 13: Webinar: Get Thinking! Making the Most of Your Library Time
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> February
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> 5: Webinar: Rich Student, Poor Student, & the School Library
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> 16: eAcademy: AASL Planning Guide: Empowering Infinite Options for Personalized Professional Growth
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> 16: eAcademy: Common Core and New Standards: The Basics and Beyond
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> 16: eAcademy: From 0 to 60: Implement E-books in Your Library Program in 4 Weeks
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> 16: eAcademy: From Basics to Beyond: Using, Promoting, & Teaching Project-Based Learning
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> Latest AASLblog posts:
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> Monday Means Leadership: SMART Goals for the New Year
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> What to Read Wednesday – My Top 14 YA Books of 2014 
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> What to Read Wednesday – THE PROGRAM by Suzanne Young AND Pulseit’s FREE ebooks!
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> Friday Finds 
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> Let’s Get Together Thursday – Becoming Part of the Campus Leadership Team 
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> What to Read Wednesday – I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson
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> Technology Tuesday – 4 Ways to Use Canva in your library
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> Friday Finds
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> Let’s Get Together Thursday – Working with Parent Groups 
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> What to Read Wednesday – Getting Ready for the Youth Media Awards 
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> Ideas for Using AASL Best Websites: Media History Digital Library
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> Tuesday Tech Tips – Kahoot! 
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> Monday Means Leadership: Feedback
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> Let’s Get Together Thursday – Grab a Partner and Get Kids Coding with an “Hour of Code”
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> Tuesday Tech Tips – Google Classroom
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