Abstracts

=Abstracts=

Literature Circles : What are they and why do them - Andrea Walker
In this workshop I will share the philosophy behind Literature Circles within the context of developing reading as a foundation for building knowledge. I will cover crucial factors for the success of Literature Circles including practicalities and procedures and the selection of books and strategies to support substantive discussion. I will provide book lists of successful titles and a list of support materials that help to make these sessions more successful. It is my belief that Literature Circles help to produce passionate, empowered and independent readers. Find out how you can connect with students and teachers to support this endeavour in your school.

**What the Research Tells Us About Reading and School Libraries - Sue Garner**
By looking at relevant research, this presentation will explore how school libraries can contribute to both the development of literacy and independent readers in a school context. It will highlight some strategies and practices that can have a direct bearing on the work-effectiveness of school libraries Issues such as the impact of free voluntary reading, reading aloud, light reading, (including “popular literature" and comics ) will be explored. Further, the notion of “what exactly is a good book” will be examined. Finally, a unit of work developed at Sha Tin College, will be presented to highlight the links that can be made between Literature (a novel study) and Information literacy skills. Computer and screen for PPT presentation are all that is needed.

**Information Literacy Models - where and how to start?** - Dianne McKenzie
Information literacy is one of the many literacies that students are being bombarded with - they need to know not only how to find the information they need, but they need to know what information they want and how to use it. As school librarians, we are in a unique position to not only help the students do this, but also to help the teachers help the students, and we need the tools to do this in a subtle way. Helping the students ask the right questions and direct themselves to complete an assignment, task or extended essay to a satisfactory standard is the key to helping them become life long learners and achievers. This short workshop is a brief, practical introduction to many of the tools that are available to you to help students in this quest.

**Visual literacy for Picture books for the older reader - Megan Lindsay**
Over the last 10 or more years, there has been a growing trend to publish very sophisticated “children’s” picture books which contain contemporary themes and imagery aimed at the older reader. These new books are beautifully crafted with eyecatching artwork and textual design features which are perfect tools for encouraging visual literacy and critical thinking skills, and also inspiring technology and design characteristics. They are highly motivating and encourage a new respect for picture books from students in the middle school area. I will be presenting work illustrated by Shaun Tan, Gregory Rogers and Steve Woolman … come and be inspired.

Storytelling - Amanda Gough and Kate Gale
In this workshop Amanda and Kate will illustrate techniques they use to bring the book alive for their audiences. Using a selection of books suitable for children of all ages (K - Y13), Amanda and Kate: the dynamic duo, will demonstrate techniques they have used in their many years as readers of picture books, information books and other works to educate, entertain and enthuse the audience so they too can become lifelong readers - FOR PLEASURE!

**Book Repairs / Hard-backing - Stella Wong**
How to mend broken pages and hinges. Some tips on covering paperback books and books with dust jacket. How to make a hard back book from folding and stitching the pages, to adding the hard back. Participants will have a chance to make their own book.

**Naxos Spoken Word Library** - **Christopher Chan**
Over the last year, Bradbury School Learning Centre has participated in a study conducted by Mr. Patrick Lo of Chinese University Library on the potential benefits of including online audio book resources in a primary school library setting. The resource in this case was the Naxos Spoken Word Library, a commercial online audio book database. The results of the study will be presented, and the challenges faced in successfully integrating this type of resource into a school library collection will be discussed. Particular emphasis will be placed on the experience of trying to effectively promote the resource to students.

**What are the International Baccalaureate Programs? - Carolyn Sinclair**
This workshop discusses the 3 IB programs. PYP, MYP, DP and looks at issues such as: How does the IB define 'international education'? How do the three programs form a coherent sequence of education? Do schools teach more than one program? How do I become a trained teacher in the IBO programs? How are students assessed?

Social Bookmarking for Educational and Personal Use - Fiona Collins
This workshop will discuss how Social Bookmarking can save time both personally and in Education. Imagine if all your favourite website bookmarks were stored in one central location which could be accessed from anywhere. This is one of the ultimate benfits of social bookmarking for personal use. In education this can be taken one step further as a tool to aid student research. I will show examples of how RSS feeds have been set up from a social bookmarking site to automatically link to school library web pages providing research pathfinders and also a trial undertaken with Year 5 students to use social bookmarking as part of their inquiry research.

**Wikis in school libraries** - Dana Dukic
Wikis are used in school libraries in many different ways. They are used for creating library and information skills tutorials, conducting collaborative educational projects, creating various reading lists, writing book reviews, building a database of professional resources or can be used just as a webpage for libraries and professional library associations.There are a number of wiki tools available on the internet like PBWiki, JotSpot, WetPaint, PMWiki, MediaWiki, Ning, Mike and WikiSpaces. Wikispaces is very convenient for librarians. It is easy to use, offers the possibility that only invited members can edit the content, and a no-ads version is freely available to educators working in K-12 schools. Wikispaces has a capability to upload various files (text, pictures, audios, and videos) or to embed various media (audios, videos, multimedia). It contains a discussion forum, email and an option to import a blog. Very useful features of Wikispaces are usage statistics and page feeds with email notification of changes to any space or page with RSS feeds. Last but not least Wikispaces is supported by a good customer service and it is very easy to make wiki space backups at any time. The workshop //Wikis in school libraries// will be a demonstration of managing Wikispaces and using its various tools. Computers with the internet access are highly recommended for the successful running of the Workshop.

SKYPE: A myriad of uses and its FREE too! - Bryant McEntire
Some of you may be using Skype at home to communicate with friends and family overseas. That is a great jumping off point! In this workshop we will start from scratch by creating each participant a profile so that Skype can be immediately used for some of the various applications that we will discuss during the seminar: sending and receiving large files; video conferencing; and silent game formats for quizzes including Battle of the Books. Don't let the simplicity fool you: Skype can be a very advantageous and visible educational tool for you as a teacher librarian especially if you have a large pool of contacts with specialization in any area pertinent to a subject being covered in your respective curricula. The culminating event will be a friendly Battle of the Books using 06-07 titles as we pit librarain against librarian using questions from the regionals and finals! Your IT skills will quickly build as you experience the teachable tension created through this medium.

**Using Web 2.0 technologies, zoomerang and making surveys, tapped in for students - Monica Morsheck (Dianne McKenzie)**
We would prefer every participant to access a computer, and we would need a screen/whiteboard for presentation. How to use surveys to improve information services in the school. Monica would like to show participants how to construct a survey (using Zoomerang) and then using an example from a survey conducted at GSIS, show how the results were used to improve web2.0 services for the school. Dianne will show an example survey from AISHK that was used throughout the school and contribute web 2.0, quick topics/ document review and trackstar - both easy to learn and use technologies that will help collaboration and manage websites.