Scan contents Vol 27 (2008)

Appearing below are annotations to Scan articles arranged separately by each issue from Volume 27 (2008), arranged alphabetically by author.

Links to other current Volumes and the Scan Archive:
Vol 28 (2009)
Scan Archive covering Vols 25-26 (2006-2007)
Scan Archive covering Vols 23-24 (2004-2005)
Scan Archive covering Vols 21-22 (2002-2003)
Scan Archive covering Vols 19-20 (2000-2001)
Scan Archive covering Vols 17-18 (1998-1999)

Links to individual Issues for Vol 27 (2008):
Vol 27 No 1 February 2008
Vol 27 No 2 May 2008
Vol 27 No 3 August 2008
Vol 27 No 4 November 2008

Vol 27 No 1 February 2008

ANDERSON, Trish (2008) ‘The Premier’s Reading Challenge: a journey of pleasure to destinations unknown’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 44–45.

The NSW Premier, Morris Iemma, the Director-General of Education, Michael Coutts-Trotter, and special guests, including representatives from 30 schools, attended a celebration of successful reading at Taronga Zoo. Trish highlights the exciting changes to the website for the 2008 Premier’s Reading Challenge. NSW Departmental schools can easily access their library’s PRC booklists on the new OASIS Web Enquiry.

BENDT, Ulla & WEEKS, Deborah (2008) ‘Girls: engaging and participating in ICT activities’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 20–25.

Read how these teachers collaborated to improve the learning outcomes in the area of ICT for Stage 3 girls through an integrated and effective teaching program. The Movie Maker learning sequence table is a good model for organising the focus, knowledge and skills to be developed and links the resources needed for each lesson. An additional table links ICT skills with syllabus outcomes.

BOND, Vanessa (2008) ‘The State library connects teachers and students with online resources’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 48–49.

The State Library has a wealth of resources, and all NSW residents have free access. Registering for a Reader’s Card provides online access to a wide selection of databases.

CONSIDINE, Tracy (2008) ‘Technology and learning: demystifying Web 2.0 technologies’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 16–17.

Discover how simple it can be to integrate 21st century tools to revitalise your teaching and learning programs. Examples for using podcasts, vodcasts, wikis and blogs will enable teacher librarians to facilitate rich, authentic teaching and learning opportunities.

COSSEY, Margaret, (2008) ‘Working with community to support reading’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 38–41.

Margaret, in consultation with Aboriginal people, has worked for more than a decade to develop reading materials to create meaningful learning experiences. Contemporary narratives (yarns), biographical recounts and poetry are the main types of text found in the Indij Readers. All authors and illustrators are Aboriginal, and their stories come from their own family and community experiences. Teachers’ guides, lesson notes and cultural notes accompany each story. The development and success of these resources is shared by community members working with students in several schools.

FERRY, Robert (2008) ‘OASIS Web Enquiry supporting young readers’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 9–11.

Robert’s students are using OASIS Web Enquiry to actively explore the books and internet resources in their library. Keyword searching has provided an opportunity for balancing their use of printed text and electronic media for research tasks, and the My library links feature provides a focus to specific websites for planned activities.

FOLEY, Colleen (2008) ‘OASIS Web Enquiry welcomed’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 4–7.

OASIS Web Enquiry is available to all NSW Departmental schools. Linked to the student and staff portal pages, this new interface allows teacher librarians the flexibility to manage the information displayed on the home page to suit the needs of their school community. Using the SCIS Special orders options to download catalogued websites, reviewed in Scan, to OASIS Library provides students and staff with instant access to these sites. Colleen introduces a selection of responses by teacher librarians who have trialled the new enquiry browser in their schools.

GIBSON-LANGFORD, Linda, (2008) ‘Collaboration: force or forced? Part 2’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 31–37.

This paper provides an overview of a research study based on a teachers’ learning community. The purpose of the research study was to investigate how the dynamics of knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and knowledge use contributed to the ever-renewing knowledge pool of the teachers’ learning community. Dr Gibson-Langford presents 18 guiding principles from this study as a framework to consider when planning collaborative tasks, and urges teacher librarians to build quality relationships with teachers and students to create a climate for knowledge creation and sharing.

LEE, Helen (2008) ‘New Selective Schools Teacher Librarian Network’ in Scan 27(1) February, p. 51.

All selective schools teacher librarians are invited to join this network.

LONGWORTH, Anne (2008) ‘Resource, rebuild and recollect. Part 2’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 46–47.

Hay War Memorial High School’s library is taking shape thanks to the willing school community of volunteers. A sense of humour and flexibility ensures that teaching and learning is the priority.

McLEAN, Ian (2008) ‘Exploring OASIS Web Enquiry for Web 2.0’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 7–9.

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 students at Penrith Public School use vocabulary flashcards, generated from brainstorming activities, to search the enquiry browser for appropriate resources, and then use the cover image displayed on the screen to help them locate the resources on their treasure hunt of the library shelves. Customising the home page screen allows the teacher librarian to add links to topical sites, including the school website and the library wiki page.

MORLEY, Robyn (2008) ‘Embracing and managing change’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 27–29.

Robyn encourages innovative teaching and learning strategies, and discusses the need for regular team meetings and in house professional development opportunities for staff members. Identifying the need for providing new technologies for students and staff, Robyn used federal grants to fund a technology room and air conditioning in the library. Her steps for writing a successful submission are helpful.

PARNIS, Rhonda (2008) ‘Digital movie making in the library’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 14–15.

Stage 3 students use Movie Maker to present their film Interviews with the famous, which focus on significant Australians whose lives have influenced our identities. The teacher librarian and classroom teacher work collaboratively to provide engaging opportunities for students to develop their ICT skills and demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of a topic.

RALPH, Linda (2008) ‘How to run a productive MS Readathon: minimum effort, maximum results’ in Scan 27(1) February, p. 50.

Linda outlines her 10 step procedure for engaging students in reading for a purpose.

TODD, Ross (2008) ‘Research columns one, 2008: Shared learning, shared knowledge’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 30–31.

Reflecting on deep learning through co-creation, Dr Ross Todd describes the shift in perception of the collaborative instructional team model and the development of complex instructional interventions. He introduces the paper, Collaboration: force or forced? Part 2, in which Dr Linda Gibson-Langford shares her detailed review and analysis of literature on collaborative cultures in schools.

VAN WESTENBRUGGE, Annalies, (2008) ‘Planning, programming and assessing using English Programming Support’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 42–43.

English K–6 Programming Support provides readily accessible examples of programming, teaching and learning examples, work samples for assessment, and resources for each step in the teaching and learning cycle.

WESTOBY, Kate (2008) ‘Students using OASIS Web Enquiry’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 11–12.

Kate describes how the Year 5 students at Castle Cove Public School confidently navigate the new web browser. Six students demonstrated the functions of OASIS Web Enquiry, to a group of visitors from a range of education sectors, at its launch on 5th November 2007. Read about the search tab functions in this article.

WILLIAMS, Julie (2008) ‘Using OASIS Web Enquiry to support teaching and learning’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 12–13.

Julie explains how Stage 3 students used the interface menu tabs to develop their searching and locating skills for resources to support a study of the COGs (D) unit: Making informed choices.

WYLIE, Terry (2008) ‘Winds of change’ in Scan 27(1) February, pp. 26–27.

Terry, Principal at Caringbah High School, outlines the important role of the teacher librarian in leading and supporting staff and students to be effective users of ICT in the 21st century. Terry acknowledges the leadership qualities of Robyn Morley, teacher librarian, whose article follows.

Vol 27 No 2 May 2008

CHASE, Lizzie (2008) ‘Using ICT to inspire hesitant writers in Stages 3 and 4’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 7–11.

Lizzie explains how a collaborative teaching team, digital picture books, and a scaffolded writing contract enabled a class of disenchanted writers to achieve writing success. The students appreciated the teaching support, and maintained their interest and engagement over the six weeks of the contract because the topics appealed to them.

FOLEY, Colleen (2008) ‘School Libraries Leading Learning conference: a joint ASLA (NSW) Inc. and School Libraries and Information literacy initiative’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 12–14.

The conference, held on March 28 to 29, offered participants opportunities to network with colleagues and explore the synergies between Quality Teaching, literature and literacies, and the Web 2.0 world. In his keynote address, Dr Ross Todd challenged us to imagine and re-imagine how school libraries can become 21st century learning environments, seamlessly fusing learning and technology to enable students to engage meaningfully with information to create knowledge. A variety of speakers and workshop presenters inspired the ongoing professional practice of teacher librarians.

JOHNSTON, Di (2008) ‘Embracing the opportunity for professional development’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 39–41.

Di shares her experiences of attending the Australian Government Summer Schools for Teachers programme in Perth. The two week program focused on current research and emergent issues, leading the way in literacy and numeracy, leadership for school change, and developing a school based project.

LONGWORTH, Anne (2008) ‘Resource, rebuild and recollect. Part 2’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 41–42.

The holidays provided an opportunity to check the school archives which are part of the library collection. They tell the story of the Hay and District war service and the establishment of the school. Many will need conservation work and an audit is necessary to determine how many objects are missing.

MARTIN, Sue (2008) ‘NSW HSC online updates’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 33–34.

NSW HSC Online contains material that focuses on the more challenging aspects of HSC courses. Interactive resources and quizzes assist students studying VET courses, sound files support the listening and responding sections of the Languages s syllabuses, and animations contribute to the understanding of mathematical concepts. Support for these and other subjects, as well as contact details for advice are available 24/7.

MASON, Ruth (2008) ‘The Connected Learning Awards: combining creativity and collaborative learning’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 35–36.

Ruth raises our awareness of the authentic learning opportunities for students participating in the Connected Learning Awards experience. Ruth explains that the power of the awards lies in the relevant and meaningful tasks students are required to complete using the technology available to them.

PERICLES, Kim (2008) ‘Happily blogging @ Belmore South’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 4–6.

Kim describes how her class uses blogs to publish their work, share and respond to class activities and ideas, and link to classrooms in other parts of the world. The students are engaged in authentic learning with authentic audiences. The students use their Allstars blog for all Key Learning Areas.

RIDGE, Judith (2008) ‘A new literature project for young people in western Sydney’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 42–43.

Judith has been appointed to the new position, Western Sydney Young People’s Literature Officer. She hopes to engage young people as readers and to encourage them as writers.

SHEPPARD, Pauline (2008) ‘The importance of Human Society and Its Environment, Global Education and Asia’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 29–32.

Pauline reminds teachers of their important role in empowering their students to be active, well informed citizens. Pauline, believing that it is vital that teachers are supported to include studies of Asia across the curriculum, provides a range of suggestions for resources to engage students in the teaching and learning of the HSIE syllabuses.

STEPHENS, Kelly (2008) ‘Connected Learning Advisory Service (CLAS)’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 37–38.

CLAS is an online, web based tool, developed to assist NSW public school teachers to identify and enhance their use of ICT in their teaching practice. MyMap provides the opportunity to create a log of evidence for using ICT and has links to examples of good practice, professional learning opportunities and online resources to support teachers’ use of ICT.

TODD, Ross (2008) ‘Research columns two, 2008: The dynamics of classroom teacher and teacher librarian instruction collaborations’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 19–28.

Dr Ross Todd describes the purpose and results of a three year research project which investigated the dynamics of 170 teacher librarian and class teacher collaborations in Ohio. Ross shares his analysis of the data in terms of the curriculum context, pedagogical approaches, and the achievement of student outcomes as a result of these collaborations. The strengths and difficulties associated with effective instructional collaborations, and the need for organisation and flexibility are discussed.

VASSILA, Harry, KING, Julie & FOSTER, Lyndall (2008) ‘How can teacher librarians support technology learning?’ in Scan 27(2) May, pp. 15–18.

The information skills process (ISP) and the technology process share a common language that promotes continuity for teaching and learning. The examples from the project, Technology education K–8: design in practice, outlined in this article, show the opportunities for teachers and teacher librarians to work together to engage students in quality technology learning.

Vol. 27 No 3 August 2008

ANDERSON, Leah (2008) ‘The Boys’ and Girls’ Education Strategy: a framework to address ICT in the classroom’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 23–24.

Leah describes how The Strategy provides schools with a framework to address gender as an educational issue, and includes focus questions and strategies for schools to develop long term intervention plans will ultimately lead to sustained improvements in meaningful ICT integration.

BENJAMIN, Tom (2008) ‘Digital movie making II: Hollywood comes to us’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 15–17.

Dr Tom Benjamin explains how readily available and affordable resources allow students to create animated movie clips to support their learning. Tom’s examples include using integrated media, shortcuts to animation, rear projection technique, creating a miniature Hollywood sound stage, and managing the resources.

BEVERIDGE, Sue (2008) ‘Connected Classrooms Program’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 46–47.

The Connected Classrooms Program is a NSW state government initiative investing $158 million into public education over the next four years. Sue provides a brief overview and sources of further information. The next issue of Scan will provide a more detailed update and examples of exciting connected learning adventures in some of our schools.

CASEY, Grant (2008) ‘Web 2.0 tools for teaching and learning’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 36–39.

Grant discusses how teachers can best use Web 2.0 tools for teaching and learning to maximise the benefits of these technologies for our students. Grant offers examples for using blogs, wikis, podcasts, vodcasts, RSS feeds and social bookmarking sites, and directs readers to tutorials for using these tools. Read the article in full text.

CAWSEY, Christine & WHITE, Honor (2008) ‘New library opens at Rooty Hill High School’ in Scan 27(3) August, p. 50–51.

This purpose built library is an essential component of teaching and learning programs at the school.

DOWNIE, Andrew (2008) ‘DAISY offers a literacy revolution’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 40–42.

Andrew explains how Digital Access Information System (DAISY) books’ multidisciplinary approach benefits visually impaired people and people with learning disabilities by synchronising text, graphics and audio. Depending on the equipment being used, information can be available in any combination of text, images and audio. Text can be read visually or in Braille via an electronic Braille display.

HARRIMAN, Susan (2008) ‘Online projects: revealing what it means to be authentic’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 43–46.

After analysing a selection of online projects, Dr Sue Harriman has identified a range of factors that lead to the formulation of an authentic project framework. Partnerships between disciplinary experts and educationalists ensure activities that are authentic to the field and engage students in realistic tasks that resemble real world situations, such as those for the Middle East simulation.

KEANE, Cath (2008) ‘Time to start rapping into the 21st century’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 10–14.

Cath reflects on the opportunities for teacher librarian and teacher collaborations to develop students’ communication skills for authentic audiences. The revamped Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge rap captured the enthusiastic participation of Stage 1 rappers. Cath shares some wonderful rapping experiences of these students and teachers using blogs and wikis to communicate with a real audience.

MAUGLE, Gillian (2008) ‘A snapshot of interactivity at Wiley Park Public School library’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 4–9.

Teacher librarian, Gillian, shares her enthusiasm about the use of interactive whiteboards to use virtual worlds and activities to engage students with experiences to enable them to achieve syllabus outcomes. Gillian highlights some of the software that she has used with classes this year.

MONTIEL-OVERALL, Patricia (2008) ‘A qualitative study of teacher and librarian collaboration: a preliminary report’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 23–24.

Dr Montiel-Overall’s findings should be of concern to all educators. Her model for teacher and librarian collaboration features four facets of collaborative endeavours, and their impact on student understanding and achievement. This interesting study makes us reflect about the ways to encourage and support classroom teachers to create authentic learning tasks.

O’GORMAN, Kevin (2008) ‘Finding IWB resources on TaLe’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 48–49.

Kevin explains how to search for IWB resources through resource collections, The Le@rning Federation, Intel skool™, and the Centre for Learning Innovation (CLI). The new look search options in the DET staff and public areas of TaLe make finding resources easy.

SLY, Cathy (2008) ‘The resonance of fairytales – sources and extrapolations. Part 1: Tales across time’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 18–22.

Two English teachers and two teacher librarians share their ongoing enthusiasm to support best practice in teaching. Cathy Sly describes their journey and the students’ continued enthusiasm for the Stage 6: English Preliminary Extension module, The resonance of fairytales – sources and extrapolations on fairytales at Barrenjoey High School.

TODD, Ross (2008) ‘Research columns three, 2008: Teacher librarians: catalysts in instructional collaborations for authentic learning’ in Scan 27(3) August, pp. 23–24.

Dr Ross Todd encourages teacher librarians and teachers to reflect on our profession and the nature of collaboration within a knowledge outcomes paradigm. Ross poses some interesting questions for teacher librarians about their contributions to teaching partnerships, and the critical support that is given to students to develop real world connections. Ross introduces Patricia Montiel-Overall’s research study about how the role of the teacher librarian is perceived by classroom teachers.

Vol. 27 No 4 November 2008

BADGER, Margaret (2008) ‘Lambton High School library: a big picture focus on serving the school community’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 20–21.

Margaret has created an uncluttered, user friendly school library website to promote reading and information skills, and inform the wider community about the activities undertaken in the library.

CALLOW, Jon (2008) ‘New literacies, New York & Web 2.0: a little insider knowledge is a helpful thing!’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 13–16.

Dr Jon Callow entreats us to embrace the new mindsets and literacies of Web 2.0 that provide our students with opportunities to meaningfully engage in the social construction of knowledge. Jon categorises these Web 2.0 resources and offers suggestions for their uses in teaching and learning. Read the full text.

KEANE, Cath (2008) ‘An interview with Queenie Chan: Aussie queen of manga’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 8–12.

The graphic novel and manga have increasing appeal for our students. Queenie’s popular mystery trilogy, The dreaming, is set in Australia and has been translated into six languages. Scan Editor, Cath Keane, spoke to Queenie about her drawing style, the inspiration for her work, and tips for reading manga.

HALLER, Lisa (2008) ‘Canterbury Public School library online’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 22–23.

The school library’s web page provides student access to information at school and home. At school, the links allow students to move easily between the web page, Eduweb and OASIS Web Enquiry.

HUNTER, Jane & BEVERIDGE, Sue (2008) ‘Connected Classrooms creating learning communities using video conferencing technology and Quality Teaching’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 4–7.

Jane and Sue provide some interesting case studies to showcase how the use of Connected Classrooms tools can enhance students’ learning by connecting them with contexts beyond their schools, and contributing to the vision of one global community. Read the full text.

McGOWAN, Sharon (2008) ‘Collaborating in assessment: the teacher librarian’s role’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 46–49.

What place does a school library have in the assessment process in a school? How can the assessment process increase collaboration between the teacher librarian and classroom teachers? Sharon McGowan, teacher librarian, provides some answers in this article.

McGUINNESS, Sharon (2008) ‘Thirroul Public School’s library hotspot’ in Scan 27(4) November, p. 26.

Sharon created a school library website to inform the school community about the valuable teaching and learning that occurs in the library.

MOSS, Liza (2008) ‘Library 24/7 @ Kotara High School’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 24–25.

Liza created a virtual library to host screen casts and to provide library access to students beyond the confines of the school building and teaching hours.

MURRAY, Michael (2008) ‘Sharing the fun: how teacher librarians can join English teachers on the adventure of the new HSC English Prescriptions’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 43–45.

Michael Murray explains how the new Prescriptions provide opportunities for meaningful collaborations between teacher librarians and English teachers.

NAY, Audrey (2008) ‘Sandy Beach Public School library e-resources’ in Scan 27(4) November, p. 27.

Audrey describes her introduction into the world of web design and her ongoing journey to maintain its relevance.

PAULL, Nigel (2008) ‘South Grafton Primary School: engaging learners via the library web’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 19–20.

Nigel created the easily navigable and concise school library website to enable users to access relevant websites to support their learning. Quality links are grouped by KLA headings or Connected Outcome Groups (COGs) headings.

PRYOR, Bernard (2008) ‘National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2008’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 45–46.

Bernard describes the support for teachers, students, parents and community that is available on the National Literacy and Numeracy NSW website. A range of short, informative vidcasts and downloadable Word documents appear in six languages to raise community awareness about a range of initiatives.

SCHEFFERS, Jenny (2008) ‘Guided Inquiry: a learning journey’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 34–42.

Teacher librarian, Jenny Scheffers, describes a ten week Guided Enquiry unit that was cooperatively planned and taught for Stage 3 classes at Caddies Creek Public School. The students completed SLIM surveys

‘School library websites virtually extending learning support’ (2008) in Scan 27(4) November, p. 17.

This is the introduction to a suite of articles by teacher librarians from primary and secondary schools, which offers terrific ideas for creating school library web pages. Included is An update for NSW Departmental schools by Frank Avdi, Online Communication Manager, Corporate Communication, NSW Department of Education and Training, in which the availability of options for creating web pages and links are highlighted.

The School Systems Team (2008) ‘OASIS Library Stocktake using Thin Client: some reminders’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 50–51.

Stocktake does not change using OASIS Thin Client. Reminders about preparing for stocktake, tasks to do during stocktake, and finalising stocktake will make the process easier.

SLY, Cathy (2008) ‘The resonance of fairy tales – sources and extrapolations. Part 2: Time for the tales’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 28–31.

Literacy researcher, Cathy, continues the collaborative journey with the English teacher and teacher librarians to plan, teach and assess a Stage 6: English Preliminary (Extension) module. Read Part 1 of this journey in Scan 27(3).

SNEDDON, Linda (2008) ‘Kempsey High School library’s website: changing priorities’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 18–19.

Linda explains how the school library website pages have evolved in response to improvements in web design software. The ongoing involvement of students and staff keeps the website useful and relevant.

TEES, Tracy (2008) ‘@ your library: Grafton Public School’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 23–24.

The school library website allows teachers and students easy access to Connected Outcome Groups (COGs) related websites. IWBs provide opportunities to explore and use these websites to support information literacy in the context of units of work. Tracy suggests free software tools to assist the creation of an engaging website.

TODD, Ross (2008) ‘Research columns four, 2008: Evidence based education: taking up the challenge’ in Scan 27(4) November, pp. 32–33.

In this issue, Dr Ross Todd advises teacher librarians to make decisions based on the evidence of rigorous research to shape and direct professional practice. He introduces the evidence for practice journey of the teacher librarian, Jenny Scheffers, teachers and students at Caddies Creek Public School.

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