Action Research: A Practical Guide for Transforming Your School Library

ISBN: 1563088754

Author: Sykes, Judith Anne

Condition: New

From School Library Journal A Canadian former "teacher-librarian" focuses on how media specialists can convince their constituents of the importance of school libraries to student learning and how they can influence the future of these libraries. She discusses how they will transform themselves as technology drastically changes how information is stored, accessed, and used by students and teachers. Action research involves a deliberate and focused plan in which an individual (or group) gathers and studies existing documentation and comes up with goals and a plan for study. In sequential chapters, the "tools and techniques" of the process are explained, with much emphasis on the author's own experiences. It is the personal viewpoint that makes this otherwise dry and theory-based manual so readable. "Tips" provides supplemental ideas and suggestions that will guide readers through their own research and evaluation. The manual is accompanied by a logical, easy-to-understand PowerPoint presentation on an enclosed CD-ROM that will come in handy in a variety of situations. Some of the graphics, however, are dated and detract from an otherwise excellent package. It could be used by media specialists as a motivational tool and to promote the importance of adapting school libraries to better fit the needs of today's teachers and students.Susan McCaffrey, Haslett High School, MICopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Product Description Are you striving or even struggling to keep your school library alive and find support for your programs? This book shows you how to perform qualitative research and use the results effectively to promote your school library and build a shared understanding of the impact of school libraries on student learning. It gives hands-on guidance for performing action research, including how to establish the context, emphasize the main issue, set goals, anticipate research outcomes, create a plan, use tools and techniques for gathering data, involve others, perform an analysis that will lead to a pattern or theme, and develop conclusions based on the data. Includes a complete, ready-made presentation in PowerPoint on an accompanying CD-ROM. A must for teacher-librarians and school library media specialists seeking to secure and transform school library operations. About the Author JUDITH SYKES, former teacher-librarian, is principal of an elementary school in Calgary, Canada.