M Sheehy's List: Best of the Library Web

American Library Association. (2011). http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm

Summary: For over 100 years Booklist magazine has helped readers find recommended titles of books and multiple media materials. Top ALA awards are listed as well.

Assess: This site is very useful with many links to ALA services. It is easy to navigate.

Reflect: I will use this site in selecting new materials for my library and for classroom teachers. I hope to subscribe to Booklist magazine.

American Library Association. (2011). http://www.ala.org/

Recommended by Bonnie Williamson, Havre Hill County Library Director

American Library Association. American Libraries Magazine. (2011). http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/
Summary: This is an online magazine which addresses current issues. It has links to current articles as well as archived issues.

Assess: This magazine will keep me abreast of current topics within the overall library environment.

Reflect: I chose this site in part because it is from the American Library Association. I like the format and ease of use. I will use this site for professional use and growth.

Big6. (2010). http://www.big6.com/

Summary: This site provides information about the steps in the Big6 process; lesson plans by steps, curriculum, or learning level; webinars; newsletters; PowerPoints; research; workshops; and grants.

Assess: This site has a lot of everything to support the Big6 learning process. Inquiry learning is the method to be used so this site will be very helpful with all of its components.

Reflect: I chose this site because it is about inquiry learning and this is what we need to be able to use in the classroom. I will share this information with teachers, administrators, students, and parents.

Microsoft. (2011). http://www.bing.com/

Summary: This is a very useful search engine which I use at times to find a topic or specific information on a given topic.

Assess: This site is easy to navigate and has a large selection of search products.

Reflect: I chose this site because it is easy to use with great success in finding search results. Students are already familiar with this site as well.

Carol Kuhlthau. (2011). http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/~kuhlthau/information_search_process.htm

Summary: This site is about Carol Kuhlthau and her accomplishments and research. Links include the book Guided Inquiry, which we used for our library class at UMW. There is a lot of information about her research and the Information Search Process complete with a table displaying the stages and emotions that are experienced at each stage.

Assess: This site gives more information about Carol Kuhlthau and her accomplishments than her biography in the Guided Inquiry book. She is a very accomplished woman. Her research and teaching experiences are global.

Reflect: I chose this site because Ms. Kuhlthau is the author of the Guided Inquiry book we used for a library class at UMW. I will share this site with administrators and hope that our school will adopt either her guided inquiry process or another similar guided inquiry learning process.

Common Core State Standards Initiative. (2010). http://www.corestandards.org/

Summary: This website provides a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know how to help them. The Common Core Standards are relevant to the real world and reflect the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in the future.

Assess: This site provides access to the common state standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. These standards are what we all need to use to help our students achieve and succeed.

Reflect: I chose this site because we will be required to use these standards in our schools. I will share this site with administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

Montana Office of Public Instruction. (2011). http://opi.mt.gov/Curriculum/

Summary: This site provides resources and information to Montana educators regarding academic standards, assessment, professional development and best practices

Assess: This site provides the information I need as a teacher/librarian to access the standards required to be taught in the library curriculum.

Reflect: I chose this site because I need to know the Montana Standards for library as part of my professional knowledge. I will share this site with teachers and administrators. I will use the information in this site frequently.

EBSCO Information Services, EBSCO Industries, Inc. (2011). http://www2.ebsco.com/en-us/ProductsServices/catalogs/Pages/periodicalsschools.aspx

Recommended by Dee Pribyl, Big Sandy Branch Library, Librarian (retired)

Tangient LLC. (2011). http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/

Summary: This site was created in 2005 with simplicity of use in mind. It is set up to provide the opportunity for users to build communities from very small to extremely large in size.

Assess: This site is easy to use for people of all levels of technology literacy. It is simple, yet conclusive in scope.

Reflect: I will use this site in collaboration with classroom teachers as we explore the inquiry learning processes.

Editorial Projects in Education. (2011). http://www.edweek.org/ew/index.html

Summary: An online weekly education magazine. A realistic look at the K-12 education systems, its success, struggle, and future. They tackle the current issues at hand for the educational society.

Assess: This site has numerous links to past and present articles of interest to educationally minded readers. Articles, videos, discussions, and blogs are a part of this site.

Reflect: I will be able to share this site with all staff members. I will use this magazine to keep abreast of current educational news.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. (2011). http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/

Summary: This site is created by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt company with solving educational challenges as the forefront of their business. There are links to teacher tools, current issues in education, and the latest technological tools.

Assess: This site will help me develop my knowledge of current teaching tools available and keep me aware of educational concerns.

Reflect: I will use this site to share with administrators and peers in an effort to upgrade our teaching and learning styles with the lastest technology and information.

U.S. Department of Education. (2011). http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/basic.jsp

Summary: This is an online digital library of education research and information which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. ERIC provides ready access to education literature to support the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision-making, and research.

Assess: ERIC provides an online search for educational literature and research. It is somewhat challenging for me to navigate, but practice will improve my efficiency.

Reflect: I chose this site as one of the best known research based sites for professional documents and information. I will use it to search for professional articles to enhance my knowledge.

Essential Learning Products. Teacher's publishing group, Inc. Highlights company. (2011). http://www.essentiallearningproducts.com/lesson-plans-and-activities

Summary: A division of Highlights, this site provides numerous links to activities, articles, and trends in education.

Assess: This site provides information on a wide variety of curriculum areas. Articles explain the newest trends and programs. Products to assist teachers and students are available.

Reflect: I chose this site because it provides information, activities, and products to help teachers and students accomplish the goals before them. I will share this site with classroom teachers and administrators.

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence. Teaching and Learning Resources from Federal Agencies. USA.gov. (2011). http://free.ed.gov/

Summary: This site provides teaching and learning resources from the federal government. Dozens of federal agencies provide information and materials.

Assess: This site is complete with resources from federal agencies to assist teachers and students in learning. Resources are available from numerous federal agencies with a multitude of video clips at a person's disposal. Very exciting site.

Reflect: I chose this site because it is from the federal government and has a lot of information available. The videos cover multiple topics and are quite impressive.

Google. (2011). http://www.google.com/

Summary: Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. That is what they have accomplished.

Assess: Google is my site of choice. It is easy to use. A person can get results quickly and easily. The possible search topics seem endless.

Reflect: I chose this site because it is the site I use most often. Teachers and students in our school use it most often also. I will continue to use Google to search topics and other websites for information.

Disney. (2011). http://disney.go.com/hotshot/hsb2/

Summary: This site provides many, many interactive games, lessons, and creative activities. It is a Disney company.

Assess: This site involves the viewer from the start. Real life challenges are part of the activities available. Thinking to solve problems is a large part of the activities available on this site.

Reflect: This site is a product of Disney. Most of Disney's products and services are family friendly. Engagement and problem solving are at the forefront of this site. I will share this site with classroom teachers and use it for problem solving activites. It also has some links to creativity activities which students can use to share their own thoughts and products.

International Society for Technology in Education. (2011). http://www.iste.org/welcome.aspx

Summary: This is the premier association for educators who are interested in improving learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in schools.

Assess: This site offers a professional membership. It also provides national standards and a global perspective in the use of technology and learning.

Reflect: I chose this site because it provides a professional membership and focuses on technology development in education. I believe this is where we must be headed as teachers in order to help students of today become successful citizens and employees of the future. I will share this site with classroom teachers and administrators. I will use this site to assist with the inquiry learning process program in our school.

Discovery Education. (2011). http://www.google.com/search?q=http%3A%2F%2Fschool.discoveryeducation.com%2Fschrockguide%2F&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SKPT_en

Summary: Kathy Schrock is a current technology integration guru. She provides professional development sessions both nationally and internationally.

Assess: This site is chock full of helpful information for administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Links are easy to follow and very informative. Practical and useful guidance is offered.

Reflect: I chose this website in part because Kathy Schrock in a well-known person in today's educational world. Her site is interesting, easy to navigate, and informational. I will share this site with classroom teachers and administrators. I will use the links and information with students.

Discovery Education. (2011). http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/evalmidd.html

Summary: This site provides a useful website evaluation tool for elementary, middle, and high schools. There are also evaluation tools for other technology tools such as iPod, blogs, and podcasts.

Assess: This site is very easy to navigate and use. It is colorful and interesting.

Reflect: I first used this site to evaluate websites for a library college course. I will share the evaluation tools with administrators and fellow teachers.