Schwartz, Heather E. Cyberbullying.

Schwartz, Heather E.    Cyberbullying.  Capstone 2013  32p  ISBN 978-1-4296-9944-0  series: Tech Safety Smarts   elem      Hardback    VG-BNS  Nonfiction     

Heather Schwartz deserves praise for the organization, anecdotal information, charts and tactful handling of the content.  She takes a subject that is complex, breaks it down for young children, and presents the topic using repetitive, easy-to-understand text.  She begins with a definition and a chart to help the reader decide if he or she has ever been a cyberbully.  Chapter 2 discusses the reasons cyberbullies threaten or hurt others, the effects on victims and the consequences that ensue if one is caught.  Chapter 3 describes ways to avoid expressing one’s anger online and offers suggestions that will help the potential cyberbully diffuse anger.  The final chapter is all about taking control of the situation, finding a trusted adult in whom to confide, or reporting cyberbullying to website monitors.  Helpful advice is displayed in colorful text boxes.  Children who witness cyberbullying but are not themselves victims are advised to help.  For children taking beginning technology courses, there is a variety of helpful additions, including vocabulary words defined in the text, topics for discussion, Internet sites, resources to consult and a glossary.  The color choices and layout support this useful guide to cyberbullying.

The series Tech Safety Smarts is a new series that presents books on cell phone safety, gaming safety, social networking and cyberbullying.  Each book defines the topic and employs graphic organizers, fact boxes and quizzes in a colorful, well-organized layout. Technology teachers in elementary schools will enjoy an exciting first week with this book and should stock a copy for their students to study.  Elementary-school libraries will want to stock the entire series.     

Summary: Children learn the definition of cyberbullying, how to prevent it, how to stop themselves from becoming cyberbullies and how to help others who are victims.

Cyberbullying                                               --Martha Squaresky

Gregory, Josh. Steve Jobs.

Gregory, Josh.  Steve Jobs.   Scholastic/Childrens Press    2013  64p   $30.00  ISBN 978-0-531-23606-2      elm/ms  series: Cornerstones of Freedom  VG-BN     

This is the life story of technology guru Steve Jobs, a man who led us into new territories and broke down creative barriers, written in an easy-to-read format accompanied with chapter notes, glossary, a list of web sites, and an index.           

The text is crisply written at a low reading level and fully illustrated with photographs.  The inclusion of facts and references to sources of additional information, including web sites, a timeline and a glossary/index make this a useful research tool.

Second only to the informative text, the most important thing about this book is its visual appeal to young readers.  The page layouts are diversified and well balanced between text and very descriptive photographic illustrations, so that concepts are grouped together.  The flow and balance of the text and the visuals are integrated to present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers.      This book is one in the Cornerstones of Freedom series, which consists of eight books at this time. The general theme of the series is biography.

Steve Jobs, Technology                                --Martha Squaresky

Sobey,Ed, PhD. Electric Motor Experiments.

Sobey,Ed, PhD. Electric Motor Experiments.
Enslow 2011 128p 31.93
978-0-7660-3306-1 Cool Science Projects with Technology E-BN

Through the use of series of experiments, readers learn about how battery driven, DC motors work. Upper elementary and middle school readers who love to find out how things work will love this book on basic, electric motors. Following a brief introduction about motors and DC battery power vs. AC outlet power, a series of brief experiments are used to introduce the reader to motors. Every experiment begins with a “Things you will need” list and is followed by a stepwise of how to conduct the experiment and possible results. Every experiment also emphasizes the importance of safety and recommends having a parent or teacher on-hand. Side bars with related topics are scattered throughout the books as well; some topics include: “disposing of batteries” and “idea for science fair project.” Photos throughout the book illustrate many of the experiments.
The book concludes with resources for locating experiment components, a glossary, and print and web bibliographies. This series is complete in 4 titles. Given that the other titles are comparable, this series will help students who really enjoy hands-on learning, find an outlet for their interests. A wonderful resource for elementary and middle school science fair projects. Highly recommended for elementary school, middle school and public libraries. Fisher, Lynn

Sobey, Ed, PhD. Cool Science Projects with Technology.

Sobey, Ed, PhD. Cool Science Projects with Technology.
Enslow 2011 128p 31.93
978-0-7660-3305-4
Cool Science Projects with Technology VG-BNS

This is a how-to book about creating science experiments that make use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. There is a misleading sentence right on page 7, in the introduction: “It takes many centuries, however, to replenish the oil, coal, and gas that we use for most of our energy today.” In fact, these resources would take about 90 million years to replenish, so “many centuries” is very quite an understatement and misleading.
However, this book is well laid-out, attractive, and fairly clear in conveying the information it seeks to convey. It takes students through science experiments step-by-step, with plenty of explanation about how things work.
Some of the web pages that are cited in the “for further research” section are a bit “young” for the intended age-group: for example, a website that focuses on Tinker Bell. Each book in the series covers a particular type of scientific experiment ... for example, robot experiments, radio-controlled car experiments, etc. This is recommended for collections that serve students involved in science fairs and other kinds of scientific experimentation. Kennedy, Carol

Hillstrom, Laurie Collier. Online Social Networks

Hillstrom, Laurie Collier Online Social Networks
Lucent Books see Gale/Cengage 2010 96p 33.45
978-1-4205-0167-4 ms
online social networks; Internet - social aspects VG-BNS Technology 360


Trace the development of online communities and speculate on the impact these websites hold for the future. In “Online Social Networks,” the history of the Internet evolves as the development of social networks unfolds. The clearly written text details the changes in the World Wide Web from a text-based to graphic interface, describes some of the earliest social sites, and the signature characteristics of MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.

The well-researched text further explores applications of social networks/communities beyond connecting with friends, such as politics and business. Consideration is given to future developments, including standardization, access, and global location devices.

Student researchers will appreciate the homework-friendly, informative text, as it is enriched through an attractive layout featuring colorful photos and illustrations, fascinating fact boxes and sidebars, and useful charts. Other features include a timeline, chapter notes, glossary, and index. Sources for additional study include websites, periodicals, and texts. Welliver, Hilary

MacKay, Jenny. Robots.

MacKay, Jenny Robots
Lucent Books see Gale/Cengage 2010 104p 33.45
978-1-4205-0168-1 ms/hs Robots VG-BNS Technology 360 (Cengage)


This book discusses the origins and development of robots and their use in the present-day world.
This book offers a thorough discussion of the history of robots, including concepts that appeared as early as ancient Egypt and ancient Greece. Also included are ideas that Leonardo da Vinci came up with that were implemented centuries after his death.
The color illustrations and the peach-colored inset comments lend visual interest to the narrative, covering subtopics like "Robot Champs" and "Lying, Cheating Robots". The notes, glossary, "for further information╙ section and index are all helpful. Kennedy, Carol

Nerds: M is for Mama (BK 2)

Buckley, Michael. Nerds: M is for Mama (BK 2)
Amulet see Abrams, Harry 2010 260p 14.95
978-0-8109-8986-3 ms/jr Science fiction VG
Join the members of Nerds (National Espionage Rescue, and Defense Society) as they confront one of their own in a fight to save the world against terrorism.
In this episode, we find our secret agents fighting against their former teammate, Simon. Simon has the ability to hypnotize people and control them. His current enterprise has been to hypnotize a hoard of squirrels who now work for him as he moves forward with his plan to take over the world by controlling all of the computers.
The NERDS are used to adversity; however, in this instance they find that Simon has also found an accomplice. This accomplice, Albert, is a gifted scientist who invented a ray gun that could wipe out the special abilities of the NERDS.
Action starts when the janitor activates a fire drill to get everyone out of the school so the NERDS can board a rocket that emerges from under the gym floor. Duncan, Matilda, Ruby, Jackson, and Flinch take off with Agent Brand (janitor) and Ms Holiday (librarian) and head to Edinburgh, Scotland.

The action is fast paced and keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. However, one of the most important messages in the plot concerns the fact that Duncan learned that he is good at his job because of who he is an not all of the powers given to him by computer technology.

This is a well written book that would make an excellent addition to any upper elementary and middle school library. McNeil(3), Linda
School life

FREE Plagiarism tool

In today's academic world plagiarism has stiff consequences.
It is a fact that many students do not realize what plagiarism entails.
A good explanation is supplied at:
http://www.plagiarismdetect.com/what-is-plagiarism.php
This site will help students, teachers, authors, and others check their work before it is submitted.
"Check for plagiarism before you turn it in to your tutor, and before you receive a bad grade for your paper. Also, check your web content for duplication."

http://www.plagiarismdetect.com/index.php
This site will give you your plagiarism % "as well as all the links of sources, where plagiarism was found."

Check for plagiarism
What do I need to do, to check my paper for plagiarism? You only need to:
1) Have your text on your computer
2) Paste it into the textfield or, simply, upload the txt or doc file of your paper.
3) Hit the "Analyze" button, and we will start checking your paper for plagiarism.

This is definitely a site to utilize in your classroom and online world.

Inanimatealice _ a graphic interactive novel

http://inanimatealice.com/



This online graphic interactive novel tells the story of a young girl growing up in the beginning of the 21st Century. Throughout the novel she is accompanied by her digital friend, Brad.
“Written and directed by writer Kate Pullinger and digital artist Chris Joseph, this series of multimedia, interactive episodes uses a combination of text, sound, images, and games as Alice takes us on a journey through her life from the age of eight through to her twenties. Alice becomes a games animator; not just any animator, but a creator of characters for the most successful games company in the world.
And one character stands out: Brad, Alice's only true friend in life. The ten episodes of 'Inanimate Alice' become increasingly interactive and game-like, reflecting Alice's own developing skills as a game designer and animator. 'Inanimate Alice' is a study of human/computer relations in a world where having friends means never having to meet them.”

Inanimate Alice is used as an example of “internet art” at the Art Gallery, University of Maryland. The Art Gallery’s “Slow Reveal” -collection of links to internet art sites - was just launched yesterday, 3/29/2009.

Check out BPT for more on the technology of this story.

Technology and YA Literature

The world of technology has been damned by many because they say it does not promote reading. As the technology developed and spread it’s influence in the realm of literature came into focus once again. Many young adults have smart phones, iPods, and kindles, etc. They are also plugged into the technological world where the computer screen is a comfortable friend and resource. As librarians we need to embrace the spread of technology and provide resources for YA to utilize in respect to good literature.
Below you will find some useful sites for free ebooks and links to other sites.
Happy grazing……..

Finding Free eBooks
http://finding-free-ebooks.blogspot.com/
“This blog will list websites LEGALLY distributing free ebooks, mostly novel length fiction. Each site will have a blog entry so you can sign up for the rss feed and be notified of new additions.
I want to support independent authors, I'm especially interested in linking to them. I will add individual author sites and multi-author sites (if they offer something different from the ones already listed) distributing free ebooks legally. I will also add time limited promotional give aways.”

Also check out these links for free eBooks:
Free Online Novels: http://www.free-online-novels.com/
Online novels http://online-novels.blogspot.com/2008/10/other-online-novel-sites.html
Historical Novels A-L: http://online-novels.blogspot.com/2008/10/historical-novels-l-16.html
Historical novels M-Z: http://online-novels.blogspot.com/2008/08/historical-novels.html
Project Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/
Teleread: Brimg the eBooks Home http://www.teleread.org/free-ebooks/
Tor.com http://online-novels.blogspot.com/2008/10/other-online-novel-sites.html
YA novels A-L: http://online-novels.blogspot.com/2008/08/young-adult-novels.html
YA novels M-Z: http://online-novels.blogspot.com/2008/10/young-adult-novels-p-z.html

Hugo Award nominations for the best science fiction/fantasy
Anticipation 67th ASF Convention http://anticipationsf.ca/English/Hugos
The Hugo Awards http://www.thehugoawards.org/
SF Awards Watch http://www.sfawardswatch.com/
Andre Norton Award:YA SF and Fantasy http://www.sfwa.org/awards/nortonguide.htm
Arthur C Clarke Award http://www.clarkeaward.com/

Online tools for both Teacher and students

Kathy Schrock has published a list of useful online tools for the classroom.
Take time to browse through this list of tools that will help you keep enthusiasm flowing.
An example would be three different websites for creating proper bibliographic citations.

• Citation Machine
  http://landmark-project.com/citation_machine/cm.php
• Citation Maker: Elementary
  http://www.oslis.k12.or.us/elementary/index.php?page=citeSources
• Citation Maker: Secondary
  http://www.oslis.k12.or.us/secondary/index.php?page=citeSources
• Citation Wizard
  http://21cif.imsa.edu/tools/citation

The site was last updated 9/12/2007

[TIPS] Google Sky - a MUSTsee

Thanks to this article by Mark Wagner (http://edtechlife.com/?p=1821) I now know about Google Sky! Check out the news video on the right of this page for Good Morning America's broadcast of the unveiling of the program. This program is free and truly amazing! Your science teachers will love it.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Technology/story?id=3509522