Using Gale Virtual Reference Library, I searched under "Medicine" and clicked on The Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health : Infancy through Adolescence. In volume 2, I found an entry for Hypothyroidism which gives a through explanation of the disease as well as resource books, organizations, and websites. In addition, the article is linked to other articles by various index terms which provides even more options for finding information.
Next, I did a basic search for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The search yielded 54 books that were in some way relevant to the search. The books were then listed based on relevancy to my search. Included to the right of each title was a notation showing what was included in each book, such as "Topic overview," "Critical essay," "Work overview," "Biography," and "Plot summary." A photograph icon is also included for those that have pictures. The first and most relevant title, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" found in the source Literary Themes for Students: Race and Prejudice provides an introduction which includes a small biography of Mark Twain, plot summary broken up in 3 chapter sections, themes, historical overview, critical overview, criticism, and sources. To the left of the article, additional related subjects are listed as well. The read to me feature is a nice addition.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Proquest
Using the basic search option on Proquest to learn more about Congenital Hypothyroidism, I found 163 documents. 94 items were from scholarly journals, 3 in magazines, 72 trade publications, and 1 newspaper article. After clicking "show only full text," 105 documents remained. Unlike the other databases I have ventured through so far, Proquest does not differentiate reading level of the sources listed. In fact, some of the articles are quite difficult, especially those in the trade publications, which in this case are scientific journals such as Genomics and Genetics Weekly. Proquest provides additional suggested topics to help the search for information. In addition, this database has an alert system that will send new information to the users email address if the user wishes to sign up. Documents can be marked and saved to My Research where the user can compile the information for a bibliography, email documents, export citations, or create a webpage.
Looking under the Publications tab, I search for librarian and found 4 publications which included a Blog, The Distant Librarian, which I found interesting. I then searched for library science and discovered only one publication, Journal of Education for Library and Information Science. Under library media specialist, nothing appeared. A search for "library media" uncovered Library Media Connection. I suppose this makes sense as there are not many publications concerning library science. Is it wrong to think there should be more?
Looking under the Publications tab, I search for librarian and found 4 publications which included a Blog, The Distant Librarian, which I found interesting. I then searched for library science and discovered only one publication, Journal of Education for Library and Information Science. Under library media specialist, nothing appeared. A search for "library media" uncovered Library Media Connection. I suppose this makes sense as there are not many publications concerning library science. Is it wrong to think there should be more?
SIRS Issues Researcher
After visiting SIRS Issues Researcher, all I could think was "I wish I could have had this to use when I was in school!" The available information and tools are amazing. What a great asset for students working on research papers....
Under leading issues, I searched human trafficking. The Topic Overview gives a good introduction to the subject while the Timeline gives background information on the happenings around the world past and present. The search provided 170 sources including articles from magazines and newspapers, editorials, reference materials, websites, and other media.
I could spend hours using this database. It could be used in every single classroom and by every single patron. The Curriculum Pathfinders is awesome! I searched under Language Arts, my first love, Reading and found the PBS website, Reading and Language. The Bookfinder at this website would be very useful for patrons searching for the right books for their children. And this is just one of the several interesting things I found here!
The toolbox would be useful for students writing research papers, while the iThink tutor would be a good starting spot for teachers when teaching how to write a research paper.
As a new librarian, I can't wait to use the educators' resources and the promotional toolkits.
Under leading issues, I searched human trafficking. The Topic Overview gives a good introduction to the subject while the Timeline gives background information on the happenings around the world past and present. The search provided 170 sources including articles from magazines and newspapers, editorials, reference materials, websites, and other media.
I could spend hours using this database. It could be used in every single classroom and by every single patron. The Curriculum Pathfinders is awesome! I searched under Language Arts, my first love, Reading and found the PBS website, Reading and Language. The Bookfinder at this website would be very useful for patrons searching for the right books for their children. And this is just one of the several interesting things I found here!
The toolbox would be useful for students writing research papers, while the iThink tutor would be a good starting spot for teachers when teaching how to write a research paper.
As a new librarian, I can't wait to use the educators' resources and the promotional toolkits.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
SIRS Discoverer
On SIRS Discoverer, I searched for related material on pandas. I found 190 articles all together including 65 pictures. While exploring under pictures, I found the "pictures" includes activities for small children as well as professional photos of pandas. Each article is labeled with reading level: general, easy, moderate, or challenging. In addition, next to the title of each article students/patrons can see what features are included in each article such as pictures or activities. An icon tells the user about the subjects, as well as whether or not the piece is fiction or about people. I enjoyed exploring the reference section specifically the current events and spotlight of the month (Historic and Mysterious Places) pages.
Under Database Features, I searched for Mexico. The information included is a good snapshot of Mexico including geographic, economic, and historical statistics, as well as a map of the area.
"Maps of the World" could be used by students in geography, obviously, but also in history classes, as well as by patrons planning to travel or discussing current events.
Under "Educator's Resources," I looked up information on lexile reading levels as I was not familiar with them and discovered a wonderful chart that explained it nicely.
Under Database Features, I searched for Mexico. The information included is a good snapshot of Mexico including geographic, economic, and historical statistics, as well as a map of the area.
"Maps of the World" could be used by students in geography, obviously, but also in history classes, as well as by patrons planning to travel or discussing current events.
Under "Educator's Resources," I looked up information on lexile reading levels as I was not familiar with them and discovered a wonderful chart that explained it nicely.
World Book Foreign Language Edition.
World Book Foreign Language Edition includes Spanish and French encyclopedias. Using the Spanish version, Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos, I searched for Animal following the pictures provided. I could see a Spanish class using this to help them learn to read spanish. I found listening to the article in Spanish very cool too. We do have Hispanic patrons who would find this feature useful.
World Book Online Reference Center
At the World Book Online Reference Center, I searched once again for a country, Italy. This site is very similar to World Book Advanced. On the left side of the first results screen, a breakdown is given of the number of articles, maps, pictures, e-books, and various additional resources that are available at the site on the subject of Italy. Patrons could quickly find e-books, pictures, maps, articles, or videos of the desired area or item researched.
On the next screen, the left side shows a breakdown or outline of the selected article which would enable patrons to find information quickly if needed. The right side provides additional resources should the patron need more information. The interactive map is a great feature particularly for someone who might be traveling to Italy.
On the next screen, the left side shows a breakdown or outline of the selected article which would enable patrons to find information quickly if needed. The right side provides additional resources should the patron need more information. The interactive map is a great feature particularly for someone who might be traveling to Italy.
World Book Online Info Finder
Onto World Book Online Info Finder......Still learning about African elephants, I find the information much more extensive. While World Book Online Kids gave a good description of African elephants, this site provides much more detail about not only the elephants physical attributes, but also their behavior and intelligence. The article discusses reproduction of the elephants as well as how they travel. I found the importance of elephants very interesting as well.
World Book Online Kids
Through World Book Online Kids, I searched for African elephants....
The pictures are perfect for kids to search through and I caught myself becoming distracted by the vivid photos.
The habitat of African elephants includes: forests, grasslands, mountains, swamps, and shrubby areas.
World Book Discover
Next, I am exploring World Book Discover. After clicking on "History and Government," I decided to dig deeper into "Government" and found that the article could be translated into different languages. Our library has patrons who could definitely benefit from this tool. What a great addition!
World Book Advanced
Today, I am using World Book Advanced and all I can say is "Wow!" I am searching for information about Australia and I cannot believe the amount of information and other resources that can be found in this one spot!
The first results screen provided 1,556 encyclopedia articles alone along with additional sources such as maps, tables, pictures, videos and animations, historical items, web sites, and research guides. These would be very helpful for a patron to use as a shortcut. The primary sources and e-books provide additional information. I love the "save to my research" tool as well. It would come in handy for someone who might be doing extended research.
I chose the first encyclopedia article for Australia. I listened to a snippet of Australia's national anthem called "Advance Australia Fair" which I think is a very neat addition. The article contents on the left would help patrons wade through all of the information available to them and allow them to jump to the item that might be of most interest. For example, if a patron were planning to travel to Australia, one could click on "Tourism" for a listing of sights to see or click on "Climate" to get a good idea of when to plan the trip. If a patron were looking for a book on Australia, the information available on the right side of the screen would be helpful as well.
Within the article itself, I found maps and tables that provide additional information on the area as well as pictures and videos once again.
The first results screen provided 1,556 encyclopedia articles alone along with additional sources such as maps, tables, pictures, videos and animations, historical items, web sites, and research guides. These would be very helpful for a patron to use as a shortcut. The primary sources and e-books provide additional information. I love the "save to my research" tool as well. It would come in handy for someone who might be doing extended research.
I chose the first encyclopedia article for Australia. I listened to a snippet of Australia's national anthem called "Advance Australia Fair" which I think is a very neat addition. The article contents on the left would help patrons wade through all of the information available to them and allow them to jump to the item that might be of most interest. For example, if a patron were planning to travel to Australia, one could click on "Tourism" for a listing of sights to see or click on "Climate" to get a good idea of when to plan the trip. If a patron were looking for a book on Australia, the information available on the right side of the screen would be helpful as well.
Within the article itself, I found maps and tables that provide additional information on the area as well as pictures and videos once again.
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