Why learning about emerging technologies is part of every librarian’s job

May 25, 2009

This is a slidecast created by Kathryn Greenhill of her presentation at Educause Australasia 2009

Educause Australasia 2009, [Perth Western Australia 5 May 2009] session papers are available online from this conference webpage.

The CMIS School Library Support pages provide library staff with information about normal school library operating processes as well as background information relevant to the purpose of the school library.


WolframAlpha

May 18, 2009

WolframAlpha was announced in March 2009 by British physicist Stephen Wolfram, and was released to the public on May 15, 2009. Unlike Google, which searches for web resources to match a query, WolframAlpha generates answers to factual queries by computing the answer from available data.

Watch Part 2 of of the video.

Related CMIS blog posts include:

Take a look at the CMIS webpages on Search Tools


‘Your Planet Needs You’- World Environment Day – June 5th

May 8, 2009

World Environment Day is recognised as an important part of the school calendar.

 

 

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

Each year a theme is set by the country which hosts the day. 
This year’s theme is ‘Your Planet Needs You’ .

With the emphasis on combatting Climate Change, the UN has released a Fact Sheet with information on how each one of us can help.

The CMIS Theme pages have a number of related topics which can be used in the classroom, including Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Sanitation, Sustainable Schools Project, Threatened Species and Frogs.

The Department of Environment and Conservation is holding special biodiversity and conservation activities at two of their centre – Hills and Henderson, for students in Yrs 4-7.
For further information contact the Coordinator – EcoEducation Lisa Ingram
 (08) 9295 6149 7: (08) 9295 3247 *lisa.ingram@dec.wa.gov.au


Australian Ballet Blog: Behind Ballet

May 8, 2009
Dance enthusiasts and students can discover interesting information, photographs, music and video clips from the world of dance through the Australian Ballet’s new blog.

Behind Ballet looks at dance through the arts, fashion, music and literature:

  • Ballet questions answered
  • Profiles, interviews, articles on Australian Ballet dancers,  choreographers and productions
  • Programs, projects by the Australian Ballet
  • Books with ballet themes
  • Flashbacks to favourite dancers of the past
  • Articles on fashion and costume
  • Dance themed video clips

 


Japanese Language Speech Contest

May 8, 2009

第40 回日本語弁論大会
The 40th Japanese Language Speech Contest

The Japan Foundation is again holding its Speech Contest for Australian students. This is the 40th year of the contest and is open to Year 11 and 12 students across the country.  There are several different divisions covering all stages of competence.

Prizes include return airfares and accomodation packages to Japan. State winners in each section are expected to proceed to the National Final.

Guidelines and other Contest information is available from the Japan Foundation Website

The WA Final is on July 30th and the Western Australian contact for the contest is:

Chris Graham
Japanese Language Teachers’ Association WA
PH: (08) 9495 7439/ FAX: (08) 9390 4082
Email: chris.graham@det.wa.edu.au
WA State Final: Thursday 30 July
Please visit JLTAWA website
http://www.jltawa.org.au

Other information for Teachers of Japanese is available on the CMIS WACE Pages Japanese : Second Language


Sky Watch

May 7, 2009

I’ve been out most evenings this week looking to the heavens to catch sight of the International Space Station as it passes over this part of the world. It really is worth seeing. I was surprised at how bright it is.
Predictions – generally pretty accurate – about the passage of the space station can be found at the Heavens Above website.

Teachers and students will find masses of information on many different subjects included on other parts of the site.

The CMIS Astronomy theme page is a good place to start a Space Study to incorporate the International Space Station.