No Difference Between Kids’ Comprehension of Ebooks, Print Books, Study Says

Below is a reposted article, sponsored by Renaissance Learning, an automation company which profits are generated by student reading scores across the country, thus their business interest is boosted by the results of this study. As well, the variables of images /diagrams / picture books was not  factored into the results. While an interesting study,  one needs to take it with a grain of salt.

There’s no real difference between ebooks and traditional paper books when it comes to kids’ reading comprehension, says a new study.

“Student Comprehension of Books in Kindle and Traditional Formats” by Michael Milone, a research psychologist and educational writer at Renaissance Learning, asked students in two fourth-grade classes located in the Upper Midwest to read up to six books from a selected list of a dozen popular fiction titles that included Eleanor Estes’s Ginger Pye (Harcourt, 1951), Gary Paulsen’s Lawn Boy (Random, 2007), Mary Pope Osborne’s Sunset of the Sabertooth (Random, 1996), and Megan McDonald’s Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid (Candlewick, 2005). The 31 students—who read a total of 135 books, 69 on the Kindle and 66 in print—were asked to alternate between reading half of the books on the Kindle and the other half in a bound, printed format. After reading each one, they completed a brief, computer-based Accelerated Reader quiz to measure their understanding.

Milone found that there was no statistically significant difference in reading comprehension levels, with students correctly answering an average of 88 percent of questions about the books read on the Kindle, compared to 88.5 percent of questions answered correctly for print books.

“Results of the study indicate that parents and educators can rest easy knowing that students comprehend books they read digitally as well as they comprehend books read in a print format,” especially since electronic reading devices are rapidly becoming popular for both personal and educational use, the study says. Only narrative texts were used, and the results do not include informational texts or textbooks.

“As more schools and districts begin to incorporate ereaders into the curriculum, it is important to better understand how students comprehend books read digitally compared with print books,” says Glenn James, the CEO Renaissance Learning, a provider of tech-based student assessment programs for K-12 schools. “The results of this study confirm that every book read, in any format, is another step toward higher student achievement.”

Although previous research suggests no difference in reading comprehension between digital and print formats, many of those studies were conducted using animated storybooks—and none involved extensive reading for pleasure in a typical school setting.

When asked about using the Kindle, the majority (76 percent) of students said it was very easy to use. In terms of their reading comprehension, 28 percent found the Kindle much easier to understand than a printed book, 24 percent said it was a little easier, and 40 percent said it was about the same. If given a choice, 62 percent of those surveyed said they preferred to read using a Kindle rather than a book.

“The large number of books in the study and the naturalistic approach to the research—students read the books in a typical setting at school or at home—suggest that the results are dependable, and that students’ comprehension of narrative texts is the same for ereaders and print books,” the study says. “Students enjoy reading on ereaders, and the novelty effect of these devices may encourage less proficient students to read more.”

The study may help educators, especially since a growing number of individual schools and districts are incorporating ereaders like the Kindle and Nook, as well as tablet computers into the curriculum.

“This trend has not gone unnoticed by educational publishers; most are at least dabbling in adapting their texts to electronic formats,” the study adds.

Even though a relatively small number of students were used in the study, the report says its findings are dependable, “but replication and extension are clearly necessary.” The study does point out some limitations, saying that its results should not be applied to all forms of reading on digital devices. “Reading on a very small screen device, however, like a smartphone or online reading, with its links, multiple pages, and sometimes distracting graphics, pose very different comprehension challenges.”

The greatest limitation of the study is that students read narrative rather than informational texts, and “research has found that most ereaders are used for reading for pleasure, and most users are satisfied with their devices for this purpose.” When it comes to studying, traditional print books are preferred to ebooks.

Participants read the books beginning in early April 2011 after spring break, and the study concluded during the final week in May. The lists of books, in the order they were to be read, were provided to students, teachers, and librarians.

as cited from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/893368-312/no_difference_between_kids_comprehension.html.csp

 

2012 Newbery and Caldecott awards announced…..

If you are a librarian,  an educator,  a book seller, or simply love to read to children….then you too will be feeling the same excitement that I am feeling today. Yes, the American Library Association has announced its 2012 annual awards for outstanding children’s literature  (think Oscars of children’s literature!) today at its Midwinter Conference from Dallas, Texas. Here are some of the award winning titles…..

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:

“Dead End in Norvelt,” written by Jack Gantos, is the 2012 Newbery Medal winner.

Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: “Inside Out & Back Again,” written by Thanhha Lai

and

“Breaking Stalin’s Nose,” written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:

A Ball for Daisy,” illustrated and written by Chris Raschka, is the 2012 Caldecott Medal winner.

Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Blackout,” illustrated and written by John Rocco,

“Grandpa Green” illustrated and written by Lane Smith,

and “Me … Jane,” illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell

This is the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott award, thus, the 75th title which has been selected as a winner.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:

“Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley, is the 2012 Printz Award winner.

Honor books are:

“Why We Broke Up,” written by Daniel Handler,

“The Returning,” written by Christine Hinwood ;

“Jasper Jones,” written by Craig Silvey;

and “The Scorpio Races,” written by Maggie Stiefvater.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:

Kadir Nelson, author and illustrator of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,” is the King Author Book winner.

Two King Author Honor Book recipients were selected: Eloise Greenfield, author of “The Great Migration: Journey to the North,” illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist;

and Patricia C. McKissack, author of “Never Forgotten,” illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:

Shane W. Evans, illustrator and author of “Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom,” is the King Illustrator Book winner.

One King Illustrator Honor Book recipient was selected: Kadir Nelson, illustrator and author of “Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,”

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement:

Ashley Bryan is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime achievement. The award, which pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton.

Storyteller, artist, author, poet and musician, Bryan created his first children’s book in first grade. He grew up in the Bronx and in 1962, he became the first African American to both write and illustrate a children’s book. After a successful teaching career, Bryan left academia to pursue creation of his own artwork. He has since garnered numerous awards for his significant and lasting literary contribution of poetry, spirituals and story.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:

The Jury chose not to award a book in the category for children ages 0 – 8 because no submissions were deemed worthy of the award.

Two books were selected for the middle school award (ages 9 – 13):

“Close to famous,” written byJoan Bauer ; and

“Wonderstruck: A Novel in Words and Pictures,” written by Brian Selznick.

The teen (ages 14-18) award winner is “The Running Dream,” written by Wendelin Van Draanen .

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:

• “Big Girl Small,” by Rachel DeWoskin,
• “In Zanesville,” by Jo Ann Beard,
• “The Lover’s Dictionary,” by David Levithan,
• “The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens,” by Brooke Hauser,
• “The Night Circus,” by Erin Morgenstern,
• “Ready Player One,” by Ernest Cline,
• “Robopocalypse: A Novel,” by Daniel H. Wilson,
• “Salvage the Bones,” by Jesmyn Ward,
• “The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures,” by Caroline Preston,
• “The Talk-Funny Girl,” by Roland Merullo,

Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s video:

Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard of Weston Woods Studios, Inc., producers of “Children Make Terrible Pets,” are the Carnegie Medal winners.

The video is based on the book written by Peter Brown, and is narrated by Emily Eiden, with music by Jack Sundrud and Rusty Young, and animation by Soup2Nuts.

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:

Susan Cooper is the 2012 Edwards Award winner. Her books include: The Dark Is Rising Sequence: “Over Sea, Under Stone”; “The Dark Is Rising”; “Greenwitch”; “The Grey King”; and “Silver on the Tree.”

May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site.

Michael Morpurgowill deliver the 2013 lecture.

Born in England, Morpurgo was teaching when he discovered the magic of storytelling and began writing. His books are noted for their imagination, power and grace. In 1976, he and his wife established the charity Farms for City Children.  He is an officer of the Order of the British Empire and served as Britain’s third Children’s Laureate.  His novel, “War Horse,” has wowed theater audiences in London and New York and movie audiences all over.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children’s book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States:

“Soldier Bear” is the 2012 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Dutch in 2008 as “Soldaat Wojtek,” written by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman, translated by Laura Watkinson .

One Batchelder Honor Book also was selected: “The Lily Pond,”, written by Annika Thor, and translated by Linda Schenck.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:

“Rotters,” produced Listening Library, is the 2012 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by Daniel Kraus and narrated by Kirby Heyborne.

Four Odyssey Honor audiobooks also were selected:

“Ghetto Cowboy,” produced by Brilliance Audio, written by G. Neri and narrated by JD Jackson;

“Okay for Now,” produced by Listening Library, written by Gary D. Schmidt and narrated by Lincoln Hoppe;

“The Scorpio Races,” produced by Scholastic Inc., Scholastic Audiobooks, written by Maggie Stiefvater and narrated by Steve Westand Fiona Hardingham;

and “Young Fredle,” produced by Listening Library, written by Cynthia Voigt and narrated by Wendy Carter.

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:

“Diego Rivera: His World and Ours,” illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Duncan Tonatiuh.

Two Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were selected:

“The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred,” illustrated by Rafael López, written by Samantha R. Vamos ;and

“Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match /Marisol McDonald no combina,” illustrated by Sara Palacios, written by Monica Brown

Pura Belpré (Author) Award:

“Under the Mesquite,” written by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, is the Belpré Author Award winner.

Two Belpré Author Honor Books were named: “Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck,” written by Margarita Engle;

and “Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller,” written by Xavier Garza .

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:

“Balloons over Broadway:  The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade,” written by Melissa Sweet, is the Sibert Award winner.

Four Sibert Honor Books were named: “Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene ‘Bull’ Connor,” written by Larry Dane Brimner;

“Drawing from Memory,” written and illustrated by Allen Say;

“The Elephant Scientist,” written by Caitlin O’Connell and Donna M. Jackson, photographs by Caitlin O’Connell and Timothy Rodwell;

and “Witches!: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem” written and illustrated by Rosalyn Schanzer.

Stonewall Book Award -Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:

“Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy,” written by Bil Wright ,is the winner of the 2012 Stonewall Award. The award is given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered experience.

Four Honor Books were selected:

“a + e 4ever,” drawn and written by Ilike Merey ;

“Money Boy,” written by Paul Yee ;

“Pink,” written by Lili Wilkinson;

and “with or without you,” written by Brian Farrey

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:

“Tales for Very Picky Eaters,” written and illustrated by Josh Schneider, is the Geisel Award winner.

Three Geisel Honor Books were named: “I Broke My Trunk,” written and illustrated by Mo Willems,;

“I Want My Hat Back,” written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, ;

and “See Me Run,” written and illustrated by Paul Meisel.

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:

“Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley is the 2012 Morris Award winner.

Four other books were finalists for the award: “Girl of Fire and Thorns,” written by Rae Carson, ;

“Paper Covers Rock,” written by Jenny Hubbard, ;

“Under the Mesquite,” written by Guadalupe Garcia McCall, ;

and “Between Shades of Gray,” written by Ruta Sepetys.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults, ages 12 – 18, each year:

“The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery” written by Steve Sheinkin, is the 2012 Excellence winner.

Four other books were finalists for the award:

“Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Science,” written by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos, ;

“Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition,” written by Karen Blumenthal, ;

“Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way),” written by Sue Macy, ;

and “Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein,” written by Susan Goldman Rubin.

These titles represent the best of the best of children’s literature; and are selected as a guidance for educatiors and parents in selecting quality materials as well as to encouraging creative  writing.    Some selections were complete surprises to me. Others I knew simply knew that had to win! And now begins the ordering of missing titles from our library collection, as well as our ebook service.  And most  importantly, promotion to  my young Falcon friends who enjoy our school library.

For more information, go to http://ala.org/news/pr?id=9108

 

When the lights are turned off…

I often wonder what happens in the library when I lock the door for the night…if this book shoppe video is any indication…..now I know….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVcQnyEIT8&feature=colike

 

Librarians Turn Wikipedia Blackout into Teachable Moment

Wikipedia is turning off its lights for 24 hours beginning 8 am  on Wed January 18th, 2012 to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA), a move that’s inspired school librarians to turn the blackout into a teaching opportunity.

“I might make a quick button that says, ‘Can’t get to Wikipedia? Ask me,’” says Cassandra Barnett, former president of the American Association of School Librarians, and a high school librarian at Fayetteville (AR) High School. “I thought, my gosh, what a perfect opportunity to talk about the subscription databases we have. Or walk over to the shelves, take a book and show them an overview of their topic where they don’t even have to log on to a computer.”

News site reddit, and blog Boing Boing will be darkening their sites as well. The blog publishing service WordPress is offering plug-ins for users to black out their blogs and Google is adding a message on its site expressing its opposition to the antipiracy legislation. (Find a list of protestors here). The collective goal is to protest the two bills, which are aimed at stopping online privacy but also potentially grant the U.S. government the ability to shut down sites that are infringing on copyrighted content. For more information on  SOPA , go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Learn_more.

For school librarians the issue is of particular concern.

“It’s hard for kids to understand proprietary information and what belongs to someone else, and proper etiquette for using it.  We already struggle with that and if we have to worry about someone coming down on us for that, that’s more for us to watch.”

Whether or not the blackout works to permanently squash the bills, it promises to be a learning moment. (President Obama stated Monday he would not support SOPA. PIPA is scheduled to come before the U.S. Senate January 24.)

cited from http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/01/k-12/librarians-turn-wikipedia-blackout-into-teachable-moment/

 

Lord of the Rings Lego…or does creative play get any better?

Admittedly, we are a Lego family.  As well as a literary family.   Thus, my son and I are quite excited to know  that the two are being merged.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released beginning December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, beginning December 13, 2013.

LEGO® THE LORD OF THE RINGS construction sets are slated for a  global launch  in June 2012 in the United States, with LEGO THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY scheduled for later in the year. Woohoo!

We cannot wait to see the Lego set which depicts the talking trees… however, I predict that the tiny Lego golden ring will see the inside of my vacuum cleaner many times over….

http://aboutus.lego.com/en-US/PressRoom/CorporateNews/article/380673.aspx

 

Happy New Year!

Happy 2012, my friends.

 

Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel!

Not as whimsical as our CCL tree, eh?

Given that many librarians, particularly children’s librarians, still hold fast to the traditionalist models of using felt as part of their storytelling programming, I felt this to be acceptable graphic to share during this festive season. A craft project, on display in one of the Toronto Public Library’s satellite branches, this felt Christmas tree does seem like an ambitious project, yet a joyful way to ring in the new year…in a Cindy Lou Who/ Grinch sort of way.

Admittedly, I am not a traditionalist librarian, who employs felt storyboards or puppets to engage and inspire our children to read…..though my inner Martha Stewart does feel challenged. Perhaps a smaller version would be a doable decorating project…..?

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year to my fellow Falcons! See you on January 4th, 2012.

 

13 more days until Christmas and counting…

I admit it….I can’t stand the wait…..

The food, the baking, the excitement my son feels….it is all driving me crazy with anticipation….I simply love Christmas.  I also love that Eoin and I can read during the time off.  Sadly, we  do not tackle as many books as I anticipate,  though I suppose that I can  arrange our waiting tomes in the manner above, in lieu of them  causing my nightstand table to groan further….

Here are a few titles which Eoin and I are currently enjoying;  part of our Christmas holiday celebrations.

The latke that wouldn’t stop screaming by Lemony Snicket (Eoin dude adores this one.)

The carpenter’s gift : a Christmas tale about the Rockefeller Center tree by David Rubel

The Christmas coat: memories of my Sioux childhood by Virgina Drivign hawk Sneve

The Golem’s latkes by Eric Kimmel

Jingle Bells : how the holiday classic came to be by John Harris

The third gift by Linda Sue Parks

The Nutquacker by  Mary Jane Auch

Balloons over Broadway: the true story of the puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

Friends,  please try to tackle a few great leisurely reads over the holiday season…on the plane to Grandma’s house, or curled up with a cookie and warm mug of  hot chocolate…..try to find the time to read.

 

Holiday Book Fair continues…..until Friday Dec 9, 2011

The view from my desk this afternoon.

While tending to something in my office, I looked up to find one of my young friends engrossed in her newly purchased book. Thank you to our parents for working so hard to make the fair a success.

 

Selby Library Teen Center Opens

It looks a bit like an Apple Computer store. Lots of glass and modern touches. But it’s not. It’s the new area of the Selby downtown library devoted to teens.

The southeast corner of the library that once housed video and music media over the past six months was transformed into an area devoted to teen-age interests. Friday afternoon the wraps were literally taken off the $1.2 million renovation, as brown construction paper was ripped from the glass walls.

The first teens in the audience rushed to the computers, while others browsed the books. The facility was made possible by the William and Marie Selby Foundation, the Rotary Club of Sarasota and the Quigley family in commemoration of a lost son.

Totems Architecture drew the plans and Dooley-Mack did the construction. Nora Patterson, chair of the Sarasota County Commission, said, “Libraries are more than anything else our love of the pursuit of knowledge. They are sacred places.”

She said the county was “committed to maintaining the excellence of the library system.”

reposted from http://sarasota.patch.com/articles/selby-library-teen-center-opens