Last week in Seattle The Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics (PAM) division of Special Libraries Association (SLA) Conference featured a presentation from NSDL’s Physics and Astromony Pathway (comPADRE) PI Bruce Mason who teamed up with NSDL’s science librarian blogger Pat Viele. Mason and Viele co-presented a poster about comPADRE, and also later at the Physics Round Table discussion where they enlisted science librarians to help spread the word about comPADRE–and all of NSDL–by attending regional meetings such as the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers to let them know that NSDL services and resources are not only available, but useful in Physics instruction.

Viele also reported on the American Physical Society Conference held in College Park, Maryland in January 2008 “Graduate Education in Physics: Which Way Forward.”

Wiki Writing: Collaborative Learning in the College Classroom, a collection of essays edited (in the “Wild, Wild Wiki”) by Robert Cummings and Matt Barton, is described as, “An indispensable and engaging guide to using wikis in the classroom.” A look at the table of contents includes titles that range from, “Wiki Justice, Social Ergonomics, and Ethical Collaborations” to “Wiki as Textshop: Constructing Knowledge in the Electronic Classroom.” In “Wikis in the Classroom: A Taxonomy” author Mark Phillipson writes, “Wikis carry with them the DNA of the open source movement, for better and for worse: they are infinitely modifiable, adaptable for any number of locally conceptualized ends, resistant to fixity. Such open-ended fluidity can only be tamed in the classroom by pre-defined purpose.”

When most people think of wikis, the first thing that comes to mind is Wikipedia though there are many other examples including NSDL’s Wiki. Experimentation with this fairly transparent content creation and co-editing technology and how to best use it in classrooms has fueled debate among those who believe that wikis either help or hinder students’ ability to interact with one another, express their opinions, and complete assignments online. The essays presented by Robert E. Cummings and Matt Barton in Wiki Writing: Collaborative Learning in the College Classroom are from various points of view that present a variety of use cases and opinions on what works in college classrooms.

Robert E. Cummings is Assistant Professor of English and Director of First-year Composition at Columbus State University. He also serves as
the Writing Specialist for CSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan, assisting teachers across campus in their efforts to maximize student writing in their curriculum.

Matt Barton is Assistant Professor at St. Cloud State University, Department of English. He is an Assistant Editor of Kairos and an Associate Editor of Kairosnews.

A peek into the dynamic and growing blogosphere at NSDL is a look into a living library packed with people, ideas, opinion, thought-provoking dialog and fascinating resources. This wealth of information contributed by NSDL communities of practice that represent multiple STEM disciplines is available to add to your summer reading list. A quick overview of recent postings include updates from Pat Viele, who is the Physics & Astronomy Librarian for the Edna McConnell Clark Physical Sciences Library at Cornell University in her new blog entitled Pat’s Picks for STEM Educators. The Middle School Portal hosts several blogs packed with useful and timely teacher information including Exemplary Resources for Middle School Math and Science, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, and Connecting News with National Education Science Standards. Each month John Moore, Editor, Journal of Chemical Education and Professor of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, offers insights into chemistry education issues. The Engineering Pathway offers a weekly “look back” at historic engineering news and accomplishments this week featuring the discovery of Neptunium in 1940. Neuroscientist Dr. Judy Willis discusses teaching through the use of inquiry brain-based learning in her new blog. Go on-the-road with NSDL for a glimpse of national and international STEM education and digital library science gatherings. Visit the lively “Education Commons” at NSDL’s Expert Voices and add your voice today.

The Research Office at Utah State University recently profiled the work of Mimi Recker and her Instructional Architect research group at Utah State University that is funded by the NSF NSDL program. This is an excerpt from the article: “The goal of digital libraries is to provide instant access to a growing network of high-quality, interactive, and free online resources for teaching and learning,” said Recker. “These libraries give access to a collaborative network that allows teachers and learners to share knowledge freely. They offer tremendous potential for enriching and transforming classrooms.”

“The NSDL may be replete with knowledge, but synthesizing all of the information into an effective lesson plan isn’t always the easiest task. Besides not having enough time, teachers may not know how to integrate the information they find on the NSDL into their lesson plans. America’s youth were born in a digital world, so they are fluent with all kinds of technology,” said Recker, “But teachers need support developing their capacity in regard to effective 21st-century teaching.”

A diverse group of volunteers, docents, students, staff and scientists from California science centers, museums and UC Berkeley have established Climate Change Education. Org (CCEO), a lively on line resource center “used by millions” of teachers and students. CCEO works to establish partnerships among people and institutions to make climate change educational resources created by many groups and individuals widely available. The web site features a wealth of hands-on, interactive resources and activities offering students of all ages opportunities to learn about climate change by doing.

Scrolling down the homepage the user will encounter 20 or 30 high quality resources and activities to spark personal investigation. Rollover maps of major U.S. cities from the Architecture 2030 web site show viewers how much a 1-5 meter rises in sea level will impact the “footprint” of various urban areas–as polar ice continues to melt. The Union of Concerned Scientists’ “Ten Personal Solutions” is a thought-provoking look at some some hard personal choices that challenge us on an individual basis to take action. NSDL’s PALE: Classic Articles Global Warming series is also featured on CCEO’s homepage.

To “link up” visitors to CCEO are encouraged to participate by recommending new resources for the California Climate Change and Energy Educational Resources Catalog.

Register Online for a free live web seminar hosted by NSDL’s Middle School Portal and the National Middle School Association entitled, “A New Model of Science Curricula and Instruction” on Thursday, May 29, 2008, at 3:30 p.m. (EDT). This webinar will explore answers to the question, “Why do students still lack conceptual understanding and scientific habits of mind despite our best efforts?” A new model of science curricula and instruction will be introduced that includes 1) core concepts; 2) learning progressions; and 3) the four strands of science proficiency. Also covered will be what science topics to teach, when to teach them, and how to teach along with a discussion about the ‘why.’ Resources that support this new model will be examined.

The Middle School Portal, from the National Science Digital Library provides free access to digital resources for middle school math and science teachers offering an in-depth look at standards-based math and science concepts. The Portal features lively text and graphics along with background information for teachers, interactive online activities, data analyses, and links to related topics. Content includes Explore In Depth publications, Quick Takes, and Connecting News to the National Science Education Standards blog. Users may search either the math or science sections of the site; e-mail and print individual pages; browse resources according to subjects outlined by national science and mathematics education standards; search by keyword; and receive e-mail updates when new content is added to the site. View the Middle School Portal Web site.