No Significant Difference

I read "Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction on Cognitive Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis" to gain insight into the "No Significant Difference" debate.

Liao, Yuen-Kuang. (1992). "Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction on Cognitive Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis". Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 24(3), 367-380.

The author (Liao) performed a meta-analysis of 31varticles studying the effects of CAI on cognitive outcomes. To conduct his analysis, Liao calculated "Effect Size" (ES) scores for each study. 74% of the ES's indicated that cognitive ability scores were higher for the CAI group. Liao concluded that his study had a significant impact on the mean ES and that CAI is somewhat effective for teaching cognitive skills. The author points out that his study didn't determine whether CAI is as or more efficient at developing cognitive skills than other forms of instruction.

I'll post more discussion about this article tomorrow, when I'm not drowsy from the Nyquil I took so I can get some sleep with this cold.

Social Networking: Should MySpace include LibrarySpace?

As per Jade's request, I located and read an article that discusses social networking sites. Having a vested interest in libraries and library outreach, I read an article relating one library's experience with their MySpace profile. The citation for the article I read is:
Evans, Beth. (2006). Your Space or MySpace?. Library Journal, 131(supplement), 8-12.

The author discusses social networks, including MySpace and Facebook. To market the library and provide another service point, the author's library (Brooklyn College Library) created a MySpace account, had library student workers search for BC students in Myspace, and invited as many students as they were able to find. The myspace page was used as marketing tool, to announce library events/services, to supplement outreach efforts, to connect with students on a more personal level, and to provide reference and information services to students who requested it. According to Evans, the Brooklyn College students seem to appreciate the library myspace presence and have posted many positive comments.

Should libraries (and other similar institutions) have a presence on MySpace or other social networking sites? How do you think the main users of those sites view library profiles and having librarians in their space? A quote from the article says: "students will take a library's presence in MySpace seriously provided you take them seriously". Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

I appreciate all comments...