University of Wisconsin - Stout

Feature:
Effective Information Literacy Instruction

March 23, 2006
School of Education
Editor: Karen Franker

Tech Tips
    ~ Switching Mouse Buttons for Left-handed Users (Mac OS 10.4)
    ~ Using Google’s Cache Tool
Feature: Effective Information Literacy Instruction
Hot News about e-Learning
News about April and June Online Classes
    ~ EDUC 744 947F E-Learning for Educators begins April 3
    ~ Registration Info for Summer Online Courses
What Our Students Are Saying...
For More Information

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TECH TIPS

TIP #1 Switching Mouse Buttons for Left-Handed Users (Mac OS 10.4)

When using a two-button mouse with a left-handed user, it can be awkward to use the left button. Mac OS 10.4 Tiger allows a user to change the mouse button functions, so that the right mouse button takes over the functions of the left one. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
  2. Click on Keyboard and Mouse.
  3. Click on the Mouse tab, and under Primary Mouse button, click on Right.

TIP #2 Using Google’s Cache Tool

Thanks to Google, getting a File Not Found error when searching the Web doesn’t necessarily mean that you have no access to that Web page. Google has a “cache” feature which saves defunct Web pages for a few months. To use the cache feature:

  1. When you come upon a File Not Found error, go back to the Google search results page and locate the description for that site.
  2. Click on the word “cached” in blue at the bottom of the Web site’s description. A cached version of the Web page will usually appear.

FEATURE: Effective Information Literacy Instruction

Rubric for a Research Project
Joyce Kasman Valenza provides an effective assessment rubric for student research projects.

Why Isn’t Information Literacy Catching On?
Debra Lau Whelan explores why information literacy skills are not effectively understood or assessed in most U.S. schools

Information Literacy: An Overview of Design, Process and Outcome
Debbie Abilock’s table provides a concise description of information literacy, and also delineates learning design characteristics which make for effective information literacy instruction.

Information Literacy Primer
In this solid overview of information skills teaching, Kathy Schrock states that with information growing exponentially, the ability to articulate information needs and evaluate information will become as important a life skill as balancing a checkbook.

21st Century Literacies: Information Literacy
The Information Literacies Curriculum presents the process and essential skills for embedding information literacy strategies across all areas of the curriculum. Browse through information literacy lessons topic by topic, or by grade level.

 

NEWS:
E-Learning

For Some Educators, Tagging Is "It"
ESchool News reports on a new way of searching the Web which makes it easier than ever to find, store, and share information online. This method, known as "tagging," could have broad implications for guiding students quickly and easily to the most relevant information.

Online Courses Begin in April and June

EDUC 744 947F E-Learning for Educators begins April 3
Instructor: Dennis O'Connor
Registration Deadline: March 19

This course introduces educators to e-learning and online teaching. Learners explore fully online and blended methods of training with online systems. Activities include hands-on experience with free online surveys, rubrics, quizzes, blogs, search tools and discussion systems. The emphasis is on what you can use right now in your teaching practice.

Register soon to provide time for assigning user name, password, university email address, and online orientation. Sign up today!

Additional courses begin in June and July.
Reserve your spot soon!
List of summer online classes

REGISTER ONLINE OR BY FAX (PDF FORM)
Payment plan option available. Tuition is the same fee for in-state and out-of-state participants. You may participate from your home or school computer.

Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715-642-0209) if you have questions.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING...

About UW-Stout's School of Education Online Professional Development classes:

“Because this was my first online experience, I was a bit frightened in the beginning as to how I would do and whether I could keep up. I loved it! I loved the interaction with the instructor and classmates. I'd take another online class in a heartbeat.”
~ High School Teacher
Cambridge, Wisconsin

Online Reading Certification Courses

Gain your certification in teaching reading through a sequence of six courses. Apply soon to begin June courses.

Master of Science in Education - Online Program

Apply to join the September 2006 cohort! University of Wisconsin-Stout's two-year, 30-credit MS Ed degree program is offered online, and no travel to campus is required. For additional information, email Amy Gullixson at gullixsona@uwstout.edu or call Amy at 715-232-5167.

Financial Aid is available for degree-seeking students.  You can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov , or to speak with a financial aid advisor, call UW-Stout's Financial Aid Office at 715-232-1363 or email finaid@uwstout.edu .

FOR MORE INFORMATION...

Request for Information Form
Email: Joan Vandervelde
Online Professional Development Program Coordinator
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Online Courses and Dates
Archive of Past Newsletters
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions.

The next issue of Infobytes newsletter will feature: Exemplary Service Learning Projects.

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