Writing is the highest form of thinking, as evidenced by neuroimaging that shows how more neural networks are activated simultaneously during writing than during any other cognitive activity. This book will help teachers understand how the brain learns to write by unveiling 15 stages of thinking that underpin the writing process, along with…

Systematic reviews are essential to produce trustworthy guidelines. To assess the certainty of a body of evidence included in a systematic review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group has developed an approach that is currently used by over 100 organizations, including the World Health…

Educators can use video to gain invaluable information about their students. A concern is that collecting videos online can create an increased security risk for children. The purpose of this article is to provide ethical and legal guidelines for designing video-based apps for mobile devices and the web. By reviewing the literature, law, and code…

This practical resource shows educators how to use the Internet to help students communicate electronically, reaching beyond the borders of traditional classroom walls. The authors--a lifelong professional developer and a dedicated facilitator of improved K-12 education through her work with graduate students in school leadership--provide the…

School librarians and educators have specific copyright questions that are often glossed over in larger books on the subject. Now, thanks to best-selling copyright authority Carrie Russell, there's a resource just for them, offering clear guidance for providing materials to students while carefully observing copyright law. Using whimsical…

The Programme for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) will establish technical standards and guidelines to ensure that the survey design and implementation processes of PIAAC yield high-quality and internationally comparable data. This document provides a revised version of the technical standards and guidelines originally…

This description of ways in which database management systems can be helpful in instructional media centers explains the basic terminology involved and how to plan, create, modify, maintain, and use databases. Examples provided include an equipment distributions form and the structure for a film/video rental database. (LRW)

Designed to provide educators with guidance for the lawful reproduction of computer software, this document contains suggested guidelines, sample forms, and several short articles concerning software copyright and license agreements. The initial policy statement calls for educators to provide software developers (or their agents) with a…

Setting up a public library bulletin board system is described as a way to attract young adult users as well as to foster awareness and use of electronic information media. Step-by-step guidelines cover hardware needed, including modems, types of software available, designing the system's contents, and maintenance and security. (EM)

Discussion of the use of microcomputer-based bulletin boards in schools lists possible uses, explains modems and software requirements, and considers such management issues as security measures. Several school operated bulletin boards are identified that can be contacted easily, and the OPEN CAMPUS system at San Leandro High School is described.…

Provides guidelines for thesaurus planning, development, and maintenance. Topics covered include the determination of user needs; the organization of raw vocabulary into clusters; the use of compound terms vs. precoordination; the use of notation; referencing; and computer maintenance of a thesaurus. (nine references) (CLB)

Provides decision-making tips when selecting facilities management software for colleges and universities. It advises to get a program that fits a prepared plan, pay attention to user friendliness, negotiate for changes and modifications in the vendor contract, test run the program before buying it, and determine a vendor's service level…

To help parents select educational software that will supplement their child's schoolwork, purchasing guidelines are suggested. Two books for further reading are recommended. (JL)

Outlines procedures for the application of data processing technology to media center functions, and explains four steps in designing a database: preliminary design, selection of software, detailed design, and design evaluation. (LRW)

The home computer must be outfitted with high quality software to be a valuable educational tool. Suggestions on where to look for software and standards to use in evaluating materials are offered. (DF)