Placing Information Skills in Context: As a Tool in Developing Teachers’ Writing Competency and Promoting Deeper Learning

In recent years, library media experts have endeavored to move from teaching isolated library skills to teaching integrated information skills. Information skills are integrated effectively when the skills directly relate to the content area curriculum and classroom assignments and are incorporated in a logical and systematic information process model. This study examines the level of teachers’ ability to apply information skills in Reports Writing of teachers attending the English Language Professional Development (CPD) Course. Although random sampling would ensure validity and reliability, there is no true sampling as the course participants are the only subjects here. The whole group of 24-course participants is involved in this study and is used as a sample of the study. A Likert scale set with a four-point Likert scale is used in assessing this study. The reliability value of questionnaire items in the pilot study was Cronbach alpha = 0.90. The results of this study were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0 using simple percentages and to obtain mean analysis, standard deviation, and correlation. (Mean = 3.12, SD = .52) locating information source, (Mean = 3.1, SD = .496) extracting relevant information, (Mean = 3.04, SD = .53) synthesizing the information and evaluating to communicate the information (Mean = 3.07, SD = .52). The findings also show the correlation of locating information source with extracting relevant information (r = .975), synthesizing the information (r = .976), and evaluating to communicate the information (r = .984) is at a high level. To ensure that the principles of triangulation eliminate personal assumptions entering the findings, various instruments were also used. A pre-test and a post-test were given to assess respondents’ entry knowledge before the start of the course and their overall performance at the end of the course. The best result in the pre-test was in the ‘summary’ and the best score for the post-test was in ’Direct Quotations’. Assessing the respondents’ reports writing was done to ascertain the effective and accurate application of information skills in their report writings. More than fifty percent of the course participants obtained a high score for their report writing marks. They had manifested a good mastery of information skills and in terms of precision of ideas and thoughts as well as coherence and cohesion in writing, the course participants have developed their competency highly and the process of deeper learning, in a recursive, mutually reinforcing cycle. The results of this study would be of considerable significance to lecturers or trainers in the teaching of report writing and preparing course participants to write with higher competency.

LITERASI INFORMASI PETANI NANAS DALAM MENINGKATKAN PRODUKTIVITAS PERTANIAN DI DESA TANGKIT BARU KEC. SUNGAI GELAM KAB. MUARO JAMBI

This article discusses the pineapple farmer’s literacy in improving agricultural productivity in the Tangkit Baru Village. The Purpose of this article was to explore the literacy level of farmer information by default of The International Federation of Library Association and Literacy (IFLA). The writing employed a descriptive qualitative method with a sampling approach. The data analysis technique used is the flow model of data reduction, data presentation and deduction scheme. The results proved that the pineapple farmers’ literacy in the village of Tangkit Baru in good category, with increased productivity. The default IFLA information literation component suggest, (information access) is obtained through socialization among farmers, as well as through generations; then at the rate (information evaluation), farmers know the variety of plants, the inhibitory factors dof locating information, and the ability to compare the information accordingly are evaluated so that information can be useful; and (use of information), farmers apply information through experimentation and information obtained, disseminated and communicated to create coexistence. The pineapple farmers in the Tangkit Baru village at the average level of secondary school are able to work well, because of the important information literacy role of their communities. Which, of course, the pineapple productivity will increase as well as minimize the damage to the farmland.

PROGRAMME FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSESMENT (PISA) AS READING LITERACY STANDARD: CRITICAL THINKING SKILL IS PRIORITY

Reading literacy is an understanding applying, reflecting and engaging process with written texts to achieve goals, develop the knowledge and participate of society. The ability to think critically is an important ability for students because it can connect the gap between the problems taught at school and learning process. The ability to think critically can help in solving problems properly and appropriately. The research aims to analyze PISA as reading literacy standards can improve critical thinking. This research’s a quantitative descriptive research. So, the process of data analysis it can be valid and can be described precisely and completely qualitatively. Data collected through observation and questionnaires. This study was carried out by taking a sample of the ability of class XI children in SMA N Semarang. The population is 16 SMA N Semarang. The sample of this research is taken by random, each school consists of two classes. The type of data collected is in the form of quantitative data which are described qualitatively. Data was collected through interviews and questionnaires to see the extent of the student’s critical thinking skills. Data were analyzed through the critical thinking skills aspects, those are collecting information, conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information, experience, reflection, reasoning, and communication, and also PISA indicators are locating information, understand, evaluate and reflect. The research results indicate that the critical thinking skill is still weak when it was analyzed using the PISA indicators. The ways to increase the critical thinking skills is applied the PISA indicators. PISA indicators more effective to separate the information and detail to collect the information. Because of it, the critical thinking skills student is optimally increased.

Type specimens of fossil “Architectibranchia” and Cephalaspidea (Mollusca, Heterobranchia) in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia

The type specimens of fossil “Architectibranchia” and Cephalaspidea (Mollusca: Heterobranchia) deposited in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, USA, are listed herein. The collection includes types of circa 60 species, from the families: Acteonellidae, Acteonidae, Bullidae, Cylichnidae, Haminoeidae, Philinidae, Retusidae, Rhizoridae, Ringiculidae and Scaphandridae. The catalogue is presented in systematic order, with information on the original description, type locality, type stratum and age, catalog number in the collection, and current taxonomic status. Further taxonomic notes are offered when pertinent. Several species are illustrated here for first time. The new combinationsRoxaniahornii(Gabb, 1864) andVolvulellaminutissima(Gabb, 1860) are proposed. Some species that have previously been assigned to Acteonidae are revised here, resulting in the following new combinations:Odostomiamilium(Lea, 1846),Chrysallidasculpta(Lea, 1846) andPyrgulinaangulata(Lea, 1846). The list of taxa is also presented in other arrangements (alphabetically by specific epithets and by authorship and date) to facilitate locating information.

The Three-Dimensional Locating of VHF Broadband Lightning Interferometers

VHF (Very High Frequency) lightning interferometers can locate and observe lightning discharges with a high time resolution. Especially the appearance of continuous interferometers makes the 2-D location of interferometers further improve in time resolution and completeness. However, there is uncertainty in the conclusion obtained by simply analyzing the 2-D locating information. Without the support of other 3-D total lightning locating networks, the 2-station interferometer becomes an option to obtain 3-D information. This paper introduces a 3-D lightning location method of a 2-station broadband interferometer, which uses the theodolite wind measurement method for reference, and gives the simulation results of the location accuracy. Finally, using the multi-baseline continuous 2-D locating method and the 3-D locating method, the locating results of one intra-cloud flash and the statistical results of the initiation heights of 61 cloud-to-ground flashes and 80 intra-cloud flashes are given. The results show that the two-station interferometer has high observation accuracy on both sides of the connection between the two sites. The locating accuracy will deteriorate as the distance between the radiation source and the two stations increases or the height decreases. The actual locating results are similar to those of the existing VHF TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival) lightning locating network.

Workplace information literacy skills

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of information literacy (IL) skills competency among university library professionals in Karachi, Pakistan and to address areas of concern. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was designed, using Google Forms, to collect data from 77 academic librarians working in 25 universities in Karachi, Pakistan. The questions covered six generic attributes: library systems, information resources, searching techniques, research support, IL and generic/personal attributes. Findings The results indicate that the librarians who were surveyed had good IL skills in information searching and locating information resources. However, the average of all survey responses was 54.17 per cent, with 12 of the 24 competencies receiving scores of less than 50 per cent, thus indicating a generally overall low level of IL competency in the workplace. Research limitations/implications As the study was limited to universities in Karachi, it would be useful to apply the same methodology to other administrative units within the country. Further research is indicated on the potential impact of gender on aspects such as level of IL skills and motivation to enhance workplace competencies. Practical implications The authors have suggested a number of strategies, which would be applicable globally to any university library wishing to improve the IL skills competencies of its staff. Originality/value There have been no previous published, non-discipline-specific, research studies on the IL skills competencies of academic librarians in Pakistan.

Reading to Learn From Online Information: Modeling the Factor Structure

Identifying the factor structure of online reading to learn is important for the development of theory, assessment, and instruction. Traditional comprehension models have been developed from, and for, offline reading. This study used online reading to determine an optimal factor structure for modeling online research and comprehension among 426 sixth graders (ages 12 and 13). Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to evaluate an assessment of online research and comprehension based on a widely referenced theoretical model. Student performance reflected the theoretical constructs of the model, but several additional constructs appeared, resulting in a six-factor model: (a) locating information with a search engine, (b) questioning credibility of information, (c) confirming credibility of information, (d) identifying main ideas from a single online resource, (e) synthesizing information across multiple online resources, and (f) communicating a justified, source-based position. The findings are discussed in terms of theory, assessment, and instruction.

HYPHEN

Narrative clinical records and biomedical articles constitute rich sources of information about phenotypes, i.e., markers distinguishing individuals with specific medical conditions from the general population. Phenotypes help clinicians to provide personalised treatments. However, locating information about them within huge document repositories is difficult, since each phenotypic concept can be mentioned in many ways. Normalisation methods automatically map divergent phrases to unique concepts in domain-specific terminologies, to allow location and linking of all mentions of a concept of interest. We have developed a hybrid normalisation method (HYPHEN) to handle concept mentions with wide ranging characteristics, across different text types. HYPHEN integrates various normalisation techniques that handle surface-level variations (e.g., differences in word order, word forms or acronyms/abbreviations) and lexical-level variations (where terms have similar meanings, but potentially unrelated forms). HYPHEN achieves robust performance for both biomedical academic text and narrative clinical records, and has the ability to significantly outperform related methods.

Library experiences of transfer students at an urban campus

This study investigates the library experiences of transfer students at an urban commuter campus in the United States with approximately 20,000 students, 8,500 of whom previously attended another institution. Using a mixed methods approach, we surveyed and interviewed transfer students to gain a better understanding of their use of libraries and their comfort with locating information both before and after transferring between post-secondary institutions. Our findings indicate that there is not a standard “transfer student experience,” although usage of library resources at past institutions does affect students’ perceptions. Subsequently, librarians should develop outreach efforts and information literacy instruction that go beyond first-year students and acknowledge the research skills transfer students bring with them.