SIRS Discoverer
1. I decided to have my nine year old son help me with this one. I wanted to get his point of view. He chose to look up wolves. We were able to see graphics and noted that many reading levels were available. It did seem that most were at the moderate reading level for the wolves. It seems like graphics are readily available for each article.
2. Database Features.
Country Facts. We chose Turkey for this example. We noted that you were able to get the pronunciation, official name, year of independence, capital, population, map graphics, the turkey flag, religions, languages, education, work force, etc. Geography, weather, economy, government and history were other choices.
Maps of the World. We decided this section would come in very handy for geography lessons.
We chose Science Fair Explorer for our last database feature. It lets you explore a topic of your choice. We chose "In the Junk Drawer", and then chose electric animals. It gives you an article with key words. At the end you are able to test your reading comprehension by answering the questions in the discussion section. The correct answers then follow.
My son was very excited about the information and agreed that it would help with his research at school. He is planning on telling his teacher about the database. He also thought he would enjoy just "surfing" it on his own at home for fun!
SIRS Issues Researcher
1. I chose "banned books" for my issue. I like the format that is used. First a short summary of the issue and hand is given, and then the "pros" and "cons" are outlines. Each has several viewpoints to back up each side. Different perspectives are given, and critical thinking and analysis discussion questions are available as well.
2. Curriculum Pathfinders. I chose Journalism under Language Arts. Once I chose my subject, I was shown several matching subjects available in newspapers, magazines, government documents, references, graphics/media, and Web Select sites. I was also given the chance to define my selection further by choosing broadcast journalism, editorials, fighting words, foreign news and more!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Lesson 2 - Learning Express Library
I am currently the newest staff member at our community library, and am still learning all that the databases have to offer. So this is my first time visiting the Learning Express! ...and I love it!
I chose the College Preparation exam for my practice test. It's a great resource for someone preparing for the actual ACT test. I like the fact that is explains the reason behind each answer. It doesn't just tell you you were wrong or right, but explains WHY it is the correct answer so that if someone doesn't understand why their answer was incorrect, they are given the opportunity to learn why.
Job Source and Workplace Skills. I added the Job Search, Resumes and Interviewing course to "my center". From there, I looked into Creating Great Resumes and Cover Letters Career Course. I like the way the site asks relevant questions and is able to guide you to the format best suited for you. The guidelines are easy to follow and very helpful.
I chose "library science" as my career topic search. I was given several results in tests, courses and e-books. I did notice that some of these results were not relevant to library sciences, but it gives you a much shorter list to look through. I chose "Word Power in 15 Minutes a Day" for my e-book. This particular e-book has 256 pages available! As a library employee and someone who loves to read, I love their suggestion: "The single most effective way to improve your vocabulary is simply this: READ!"
The e-book included pretests, tools for building word power, vocabulary lessons, tips for keeping a personal word book, word of the day, and more! It also encourages goal setting. What a wonderful resource for those looking to expand their skills!
I chose the College Preparation exam for my practice test. It's a great resource for someone preparing for the actual ACT test. I like the fact that is explains the reason behind each answer. It doesn't just tell you you were wrong or right, but explains WHY it is the correct answer so that if someone doesn't understand why their answer was incorrect, they are given the opportunity to learn why.
Job Source and Workplace Skills. I added the Job Search, Resumes and Interviewing course to "my center". From there, I looked into Creating Great Resumes and Cover Letters Career Course. I like the way the site asks relevant questions and is able to guide you to the format best suited for you. The guidelines are easy to follow and very helpful.
I chose "library science" as my career topic search. I was given several results in tests, courses and e-books. I did notice that some of these results were not relevant to library sciences, but it gives you a much shorter list to look through. I chose "Word Power in 15 Minutes a Day" for my e-book. This particular e-book has 256 pages available! As a library employee and someone who loves to read, I love their suggestion: "The single most effective way to improve your vocabulary is simply this: READ!"
The e-book included pretests, tools for building word power, vocabulary lessons, tips for keeping a personal word book, word of the day, and more! It also encourages goal setting. What a wonderful resource for those looking to expand their skills!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Lesson 1: World Book Online
1c World Book Foreign Language Edition
1. The visual dictionary can be handy when someone is not familiar with the English language or wants to improve their pronunciation. They are able to choose using a visual of the animal.
2. Spanish. Listening to an article read aloud can help patrons with correct pronunciation or fluency as well as helping those who are not able to read.
1. The visual dictionary can be handy when someone is not familiar with the English language or wants to improve their pronunciation. They are able to choose using a visual of the animal.
2. Spanish. Listening to an article read aloud can help patrons with correct pronunciation or fluency as well as helping those who are not able to read.
Lesson 1: World Book Online
1b Library Edition
Kids: I chose the 'civet' for my mammal this time. The format for the library edition is very similar to the school edition. Once again, it is very colorful and easy to use.
World Book online: There is a lot more information as well as being more detailed than the kids version.
World Book Online Reference Center: I chose Cambodia for my country of choice. Choices include maps, sounds, pictures, videos, e-books, and other websites as well as many others in the search results. The article I chose showed very specific links to the country of Cambodia, such as land, economy and history. There is even an interactive map.
Kids: I chose the 'civet' for my mammal this time. The format for the library edition is very similar to the school edition. Once again, it is very colorful and easy to use.
World Book online: There is a lot more information as well as being more detailed than the kids version.
World Book Online Reference Center: I chose Cambodia for my country of choice. Choices include maps, sounds, pictures, videos, e-books, and other websites as well as many others in the search results. The article I chose showed very specific links to the country of Cambodia, such as land, economy and history. There is even an interactive map.
Lesson 1: World Book Online
1a School Edition
1. Kids
Very colorful, easy to use format. I chose armadillo, and it quickly took me to a picture of one with some basic information. The type of information provided was very age appropriate...not too much to overwhelm a young child.
2. Student
The format is pretty much the same as the kids version. The information listed for the armadillo had more detail than the kids edition. Would give older kids more information to work with.
3. Advanced
I chose to search for Norway. Patrons will find information on government, ancestry, language, way of life, books to read, maps, food and drink, religion, climate, economy and more! Lots of choices with a wealth of information.
4. Discover
Articles can be translated to different languages for all readers. They can also be printed out or they can choose "read aloud". This would be handy for those who struggle with English or word pronunciation.
1. Kids
Very colorful, easy to use format. I chose armadillo, and it quickly took me to a picture of one with some basic information. The type of information provided was very age appropriate...not too much to overwhelm a young child.
2. Student
The format is pretty much the same as the kids version. The information listed for the armadillo had more detail than the kids edition. Would give older kids more information to work with.
3. Advanced
I chose to search for Norway. Patrons will find information on government, ancestry, language, way of life, books to read, maps, food and drink, religion, climate, economy and more! Lots of choices with a wealth of information.
4. Discover
Articles can be translated to different languages for all readers. They can also be printed out or they can choose "read aloud". This would be handy for those who struggle with English or word pronunciation.
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