New in educational technology
What's the best way to use technology in the traditional teaching environment to raise student achievement?  This is a question that a growing number of educators are being forced to answer.  Below is a list of some of the most popular and promising educational technologies.

• Traditional skill building programs and games focused on Math, Science, and Reading
• Proficiency testing and tutoring software - see eduTest.com
• Online tutoring services which allow students to talk with tutors via the web - see TopTutors.com
• Profiling software which tracks student progress and attempts to identify strengths and weaknesses based on test scores and homework.
• Inexpensive digital video production systems -see Apple's iMovie software and iMac hardware

The benefits of libraries
Almost everyone reading this article will certainly agree that libraries are very beneficial for the county, but can you describe the benefits to legislators and/or voters quickly and succinctly?  ALA recently released a revised list of "12 Ways Libraries are Good for the County" which offers some quick reading and speaking points for those staff members and trustees advocating for library services.

Read more - http://www.ala.org/alonline/news/12ways.html

LSTA Grantwriting Workshops Announced
Those libraries and/or groups planning to submit LSTA grant applications must register and attend one of the state library grant writing workshops offered throughout the state and via the OhioLearn network during the next month.  Please note that both a fiscal officer and project coordinator are required to attend a grant workshop.   Libraries may register on-line for the workshops at: http://131.187.159.16/lstagrantwriting/workshops.cfm

Items submitted by:
Brad Stephens - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

Can the electric company beat AOL?
When was the last time that you thought about your electric company as progressive?   The latest trend in broadband (very fast) internet access is the use of existing power lines to deliver high-speed internet connectivity (possibly as high as 2.5 Gigabits per second!).  One of the most beneficial aspects of such a development is that homes and business could utilize existing technology (electrical outlets) to provide network connectivity - imagine being able to plug a computer into an electrical outlet to establish network connectivity.  A commercial implementation of the technology is expected in Europe this summer with a trial project beginning in the US about the same time. 

Want to know more? http://abcnews.go.com/sections/tech/CNET/cnet_broadband000306.html

Microsoft to introduce gaming console
Gaming systems are for children, right?  Maybe not.  The new PlayStation2 from Sony, which has sold almost 1 million units in the first week, provides a CD/DVD player, internet connectivity/web browsing capabilities, and more for less than $400. The revenues generated from gaming systems developed by companies like Nintendo and Sony have attracted a new player, Microsoft.  The software maker is expected to announce the development of gaming system, named Xbox, this week. The system will be powered by a version of the Windows operating system and use standard computer hardware, such as a 600 MHz processor and 128 MB of RAM.  As the development of gaming systems with ever increasing power begins to blur the lines between the traditional PC and home gaming systems, look for the market and its impact to grow.

Find out more - http://www.andovernews.com/cgi-bin/news_story.pl?149621,topstories

Web animation - made easy
Ok webheads ready to add some spice your library site?  Then take a look at LiveMotion, a new product from Adobe.  LiveMotion is designed to quickly and easily produce Flash and other animated content - even for graphically impaired individuals. The final version of the product will be released by Summer but for now you can download the beta for free and look at the tutorials. 

Beta - http://www.adobe.com/products/livemotion/betadnld.html#win
Tutorials and more information - http://www.adobe.com/products/livemotion/main.html

Items submitted by:
Brad Stephens - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

Filters and the Public Library...The Debate Continues...

Public libraries in the United States are under a great deal of pressure from community groups and others to "filter" or otherwise supervise internet access for children. This demand has led a variety of libraries to take different approaches, leading to the American Library Association's recently developed strong policy against filtering mechanisms.

But libraries today are working towards compromises of both professional directives and community demands. Libraries and librarians recognize their allegiance to their communities and to their profession by developing strategies that will meet the concerns of both parents and colleagues, without compromising First Amendment guarantees of free speech.

There are several bills pending at both the state and federal level to require the use of internet filters for children in schools and libraries. The four most common concerns about filtering laws are:

• Filters override local control;
• Filters are clumsy and ineffective;
• Filters raise serious constitutional issues;
• The problem of children accessing pornography can be addressed with a library policy.

Filtering software is designed to screen offensive content from users. This is accomplished using four basic methods:

1. Blocking by address to create a "blacklist" or "stoplist";
2. Blocking by Word;
3. Blocking everything except a "whitelist" or "allow list";
4. Blocking entire categories such as chat and newsgroups

Most filtering software that is considered by libraries all use blocking by address as their main method of blocking. Whether to filter or not is an often debated issue for Library Directors and their Board Members.

We all know the advantages and disadvantages from the community's perspective - now you can get the facts from those libraries that are currently filtering - why they made the decision, how they administer their filtering program, management issues that are pertinent, how to deal with the media regarding your decisions, and most importantly, the legal ramifications involved in making the decision to filter or not.

NOLA, in conjunction with OPLIN, will offer an important workshop entitled, "Internet Filters...Sorting Fact From Fiction", on Monday, March 13th from 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. This workshop is provided FREE to NOLA member libraries, their Board of Trustee members, and interested staff. Dinner will be provided beginning at 5:00 p.m., with "Legal Ramifications of Filtering" presentation following dinner.

The workshop will be held at NOLA Regional Library System offices, with the dinner program to be held at The Catering Company, adjacent to the NOLA office. Online registration is accepted for the daytime program only, evening program only, or the full program. There is a $20.00 fee to cover the expenses of dinner for those attending the evening program.  

(Click to register for each)
Daytime Only 12:00 noon - 4:45 p.m.
Evening Only 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. includes dinner
Full Program 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. includes dinner

If you have questions regarding this program, please e-mail Melissa Lattanzi, Continuing Education Coordinator, or call her at (330) 847-7744 Ext. 12.

Items submitted by:
Lori Putt - Email
NOLA Regional Library System

Space. The final frontier...
Setting: the interior of one infamous starship.

"Captain! I canna hold her together! The dilithium crystals are breakin' apart ! We're headin' toward the Martian surface at Warp Speed!"

"Don't worry Scotty. Reflinks 520 (Astronomy and Allied Sciences)... has it covered. NASA's Center for Mars Exploration will tell...us everything we need...to know about surviving the Red Planet."

"But Captain! The asteroid - It's trajectoree is takin' it mighty close to Earth! It'll destroy every wee thing!"

"Mr. Scott. Relax! Just scroll down to... NOVAOnline: Doomsday Asteroid for the latest updates on... big rocks with "bad atitudial" orbits and their cranky comet cousins. If the ...worst comes to pass, we'll just head over to the Solar System Simulator those Vulcanish fellows over at...the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have put together and find us...a nice little planet to call home. So relax, Scotty! Take some shore leave! Kick back...and watch some holo vids!"

"Well, alright there Captain. I wouldna mind a small vacation. I am a wee bit behind on those Babylon 5 episodes. The last time I hadda chance to watch, the Shadow War was heatin' up and that Sheridan fellow was up ta his keester in cranky Narns! I'll have ta be poppin over to 791-Public Performance and browse The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 to catch up on what I missed!"

"Excellent...Mr. Scott. Enjoy!"

Items submitted by:
Reflinks Members [email protected]