Impact on Reading and Literacy | Page 25

School library computers help with school work

84.9% of the students indicated that school library computers help them do their school work better… Two key features stand out in the students’ comments. First, students see a clear relationship between being able to access information through information technology, and achievement, in research assignments and projects. Second, the instructional intervention of the school librarian in developing students as effective users of information technology to search for information, and the development of students as discerning evaluators of web information plays a role in achieving good grades.

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Student learning through Ohio school libraries

The school library helps students determine the quality of information

… [T]he school library plays an important role in helping students determine the quality of information, particularly with the availability of information, misinformation and disinformation on the Internet. 92.8% of student indicated help in this aspect.

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Student learning through Ohio school libraries

Librarians impact technology use

Principals often perceive their librarian as the technology leader in the school. Librarians have an impact on both teachers’ and students’ technology use

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The Impact of New York's School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase III

Library programs positively influence students’ research-skills

Librarians and library programs appear to positively influence students’ research-skills development and motivation for research and inquiry, particularly in the use of information technologies such as databases and the Web.

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The Impact of New York's School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase III

Library programs positively influence students’ reading skills

Librarians and library programs appear to positively influence students’ reading skills development and test scores.

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The Impact of New York's School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase III

Schools with certified school librarians have higher language arts scores

Elementary students in schools with certified school librarians are more likely to have higher English and language arts (ELA) scores than those in school with noncertified school librarians.

Reference:

The Impact of New York's School Libraries on Student Achievement and Motivation: Phase III

School librarians provide information technology-related professional development to faculty

The data show that a substantial number of school librarians in New Jersey actively provide a range of information technology-related professional development activities to faculty. This is commendable, and shows a clear commitment to whole school development in term of effective use of information technology. The highest levels of involvement are in high schools, with lowest levels of participation among elementary school librarians.

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One Common Goal: student learning

School librarians provide students with information technology instruction

School librarians in New Jersey clearly take a strong instructional role in the providing students with the intellectual and technical scaffolds to engage with information technology in efficient and productive ways. Teaching search strategies, both in relation to the internet and specialized databases, library catalogs and directories, is given the most widespread emphasis. It is particularly encouraging to see the early adoption and integration of a range of web 2.0 technologies, tools and techniques to support curriculum content standards. This is highly commendable.

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One Common Goal: student learning

School libraries contribute to the development of the whole child

Overall, the qualitative responses of the participants collectively show the contribution of school libraries to the development of the whole child. The school library is portrayed as an agency for intellectual development, for social and cultural growth of students as they grow up in a complex and diverse information world. According to the evidence provided by the school librarians, the school library works to meet core content standards, to develop a wide range of information handling competencies and to provide students with the intellectual and technical scaffolds they need to learn and be ethical and productive users and consumers of information. School librarians in New Jersey clearly do engage in a range of information literacy instruction initiatives. This instruction primarily centers on knowing about the school library, knowing about difference sources and formats, with sound levels related to understanding the different strategies in doing effective research, learning how to use the resources, evaluating information for quality, and learning to use information ethically.

Reference:

One Common Goal: student learning

Todd, Ross J, Carol Gordon, and Ya-Ling Lu. 2010. “One Common Goal: Student Learning”. Report Of Findings And Recommendations Of The New Jersey School Library Survey. Vol. 1. New Brunswick, NJ: Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries (CISSL), Rutgers.