Now that we've reached the last week of the Invitational, I'm amazed at how quickly it went! In the beginning I wondered if I'd be able to keep up with the weekly assignments given my busy life, but I found the work load manageable and I enjoyed the different challenges each week. I was reminded that I am definitely someone who works best on my own schedule and I really appreciated the flexibility that this experience offered. If logging in at a particular time on a particular day had been a requirement, I don't think I would have been successful. So, I take this reminder and understanding and extend it to think about how I plan and facilitate professional development in my own school district. I'd like to see if I can use a similar format for staff development which enables everyone to learn at their own pace, wherever they happen to be.
My biggest "discovery" was really more of an affirmation of what I already knew (but sometimes forget). Learning is powerful and MARVEL holds a vast amount of potential for absolutely every one. The range of resources is astonishing and there is a database for just about every reference query or casual pondering. In terms of specific discoveries, I really enjoyed using the Ancestry Library. That was fun from a personal perspective and I can really see now how it can be used in a variety of different ways professionally (most definitely in public libraries and also even in my elementary school).
I am excited to continue to share MARVEL resources with my students and colleagues. I think that after this challenge I am going to make a bigger effort to promote MARVEL with the teachers that I work with, taking opportunities whenever they arise to show a little snippet at the beginning of staff meetings, etc. I'm also actually going to show my students this MARVEL blog to model for them that I am still discovering new things about MARVEL and that it can be really fun to explore and learn.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this Invitational with librarians from all over Maine!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Week 10 - EbscoHost
I use the Ebsco databases quite a bit with my elementary-aged students, so I went into this week feeling fairly confident about the exercises. It was great to explore some of the other databases that I don't typically use and also get to know those that I do use, better.
1. You get to these Ebsco databases a couple of ways. The easiest way is to go to the MARVEL homepage by clicking on the alphabetical list link above. Pick one of the databases mentioned above from the alphabetical list or pick Ebsco Host from the list and then choose the database from that list.
Academic Search Complete is my ultimate fall back database. I use it for both general and specific reference queries from both students and staff (and for my own professional development).
2. One of the first things to figure out is what journals and books are actually indexed in the database. To do that, click on “Publications” in the blue menu bar at the top of the page. Scroll down the list or search for a popular magazine title. Is it covered in the database you’re in? Now, click “Basic Search” and type a search in the search box. Search for answers to the question about zinc in foods posed at the beginning of the post if you can’t think of something else. Review the results, selecting an article to see what kind of information you can find. Discuss your results.
The depth and breadth of publications available through Academic Search Complete is incredible. They range from the Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal to the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. If you can't find what you're looking for here, it might be time to rethink your search term! (Although, I did note that one popular publication that I read regularly, Yoga Journal, is unavailable here).
When I did a search for "zinc and food" I got 401 hits, which I then narrowed down to just magazines (since I am not really looking for a scholarly article here). Very quickly I was able to read about both the benefits of zine in your diet, and also foods that are high in zinc. There was a range of publications - from the very mainstream Time to the more obscure Environmental Nutrition.
3. Look at 2 or 3 other participants’ blogs to see what they discovered. Comment if you like.
One of the best parts of this MARVEL Invitational is reading what my colleagues all over the state are discovering in their explorations. Each week it's interesting to see both the similarities and the differences in the ways that people approach the exercises.
Ebsco eBooks
I confess that this is a resource that I am aware of, but don't use consistently. This exercise was a good reminder!
1. Do a search for a topic that interests you. Note the default search is “full text.” You may want to change the search to keyword. Review your findings and observations.
I did a search for "yoga" and was impressed that there were 28 ebook results. Some of them were related to yoga only tangentially (like Understanding Negative Body Image, a book for teens). When I sorted by date descending, though, I was somewhat disappointed to discover that the most recent title was published in 2000. The majority of the 28 titles were published in the 1990s or before, which doesn't make them automatically out of date, but it does mean that the latest research on yoga is unavailable here in this format.
2. Constitution Day is looming and several students need more material. Search NetLibrary and recommend some appropriate titles.
Assuming that my students are significantly older than my current elementary-aged students, I would recommend The American Republic : Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by Orestes Brownson, Representing Popular Sovereignty : The Constitution in American Political Culture by Daniel Levin and Constitution in Congress : The Federalist Period 1789-1801 by David Currie.
3. A class is doing projects on Western history. They have exhausted the library’s print collection. In NetLibrary, click “Advanced Search.” In the Publisher box, type “Nebraska” or “Oklahoma.” Report your findings.
I searched for both "history" and "United States History" and included "Nebraska" in the publisher box. I got only three results, but they all appear to be good sources for a project on Western history. They are: Mountains We Have Crossed : Diaries and Letters of the Oregon Mission, 183 by Sarah Smith, Overland Journey from New York to San Francisco in the Summer of 1859 by Horace Greeley, and Cherokee Americans : The Eastern Band of Cherokees in the Twentieth Century by John Finger.
1. You get to these Ebsco databases a couple of ways. The easiest way is to go to the MARVEL homepage by clicking on the alphabetical list link above. Pick one of the databases mentioned above from the alphabetical list or pick Ebsco Host from the list and then choose the database from that list.
Academic Search Complete is my ultimate fall back database. I use it for both general and specific reference queries from both students and staff (and for my own professional development).
2. One of the first things to figure out is what journals and books are actually indexed in the database. To do that, click on “Publications” in the blue menu bar at the top of the page. Scroll down the list or search for a popular magazine title. Is it covered in the database you’re in? Now, click “Basic Search” and type a search in the search box. Search for answers to the question about zinc in foods posed at the beginning of the post if you can’t think of something else. Review the results, selecting an article to see what kind of information you can find. Discuss your results.
The depth and breadth of publications available through Academic Search Complete is incredible. They range from the Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal to the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. If you can't find what you're looking for here, it might be time to rethink your search term! (Although, I did note that one popular publication that I read regularly, Yoga Journal, is unavailable here).
When I did a search for "zinc and food" I got 401 hits, which I then narrowed down to just magazines (since I am not really looking for a scholarly article here). Very quickly I was able to read about both the benefits of zine in your diet, and also foods that are high in zinc. There was a range of publications - from the very mainstream Time to the more obscure Environmental Nutrition.
3. Look at 2 or 3 other participants’ blogs to see what they discovered. Comment if you like.
One of the best parts of this MARVEL Invitational is reading what my colleagues all over the state are discovering in their explorations. Each week it's interesting to see both the similarities and the differences in the ways that people approach the exercises.
Ebsco eBooks
I confess that this is a resource that I am aware of, but don't use consistently. This exercise was a good reminder!
1. Do a search for a topic that interests you. Note the default search is “full text.” You may want to change the search to keyword. Review your findings and observations.
I did a search for "yoga" and was impressed that there were 28 ebook results. Some of them were related to yoga only tangentially (like Understanding Negative Body Image, a book for teens). When I sorted by date descending, though, I was somewhat disappointed to discover that the most recent title was published in 2000. The majority of the 28 titles were published in the 1990s or before, which doesn't make them automatically out of date, but it does mean that the latest research on yoga is unavailable here in this format.
2. Constitution Day is looming and several students need more material. Search NetLibrary and recommend some appropriate titles.
Assuming that my students are significantly older than my current elementary-aged students, I would recommend The American Republic : Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by Orestes Brownson, Representing Popular Sovereignty : The Constitution in American Political Culture by Daniel Levin and Constitution in Congress : The Federalist Period 1789-1801 by David Currie.
3. A class is doing projects on Western history. They have exhausted the library’s print collection. In NetLibrary, click “Advanced Search.” In the Publisher box, type “Nebraska” or “Oklahoma.” Report your findings.
I searched for both "history" and "United States History" and included "Nebraska" in the publisher box. I got only three results, but they all appear to be good sources for a project on Western history. They are: Mountains We Have Crossed : Diaries and Letters of the Oregon Mission, 183 by Sarah Smith, Overland Journey from New York to San Francisco in the Summer of 1859 by Horace Greeley, and Cherokee Americans : The Eastern Band of Cherokees in the Twentieth Century by John Finger.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Week 9 - Learning Express
Once again, this is an intriguing resource that I have never used. After poking around a little bit, I settled in to explore the ebook offerings:
From the home page, bottom right, click the link for eBooks. The list will open in a new window. Browse the titles and take a look at one that interests you.
Because I am an elementary school librarian, I of course started by clicking on the category "elementary" (and appreciated that the books were divided by age group/ theme). There was only one book for elementary aged students and it was a "Getting Ready for 4th Grade Assessments" text, which seemed like it would be a stretch for most 4th graders to sit down and read.
For older kids and adults, however, the offerings are exceptional. I thought this resource would be particularly useful for adults looking for a job, or looking to expand their skills within the job that they hold. For public libraries, this would be absolutely a gold mine. I appreciated also that there were several titles on passing the U.S Citizenship test, and a number of those were available in Spanish.
All in all, LearningExpress appears to be an empowering tool for adults and young people seeking to improve their skills and knowledge!
Week 8 - Genealogy Resources
This week's assignment took me a while because I found it hard to get to a public library during open hours (ironic, I know). I even looked into getting a trial subscription for my school, but I was directed by the ProQuest representative to contact Ancestry.com directly and they told me that they would provide free access for three months provided it would be used in connection with a curricular unit. So, finally I made it to the public library!
1. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be dead to be listed in Ancestry Library and can frequently find useful information in the U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002. You may even find your marriage license. Search for your own name in Ancestry Library and report the results.
When I searched my name and birth date, I was indeed somewhat surprised to find my marriage record! Even more exciting, I could view a scan of the original license. I found some other basic address information, but the marriage license was definitely the highlight of the search.
2. In Ancestry Library, search for a grandparent or great-grandparent and see if you can locate them in the census. Report your findings.
I was very interested to look up my great-uncle by marriage, as I knew that he was born in Maine, but left at an early age. The family knows next to nothing about his ancestry, and once he left Maine, he never returned.
I was delighted to find him in the 1910 and 1920 census, listed as living in Houlton. Interestingly, I discovered that both his parents were from Canada and his father was listed in the 1910 census, but not in 1920 (making me wonder if he passed away when my great uncle was just a small child). In the 1930 census he is listed as living in Barnstable, MA. Finally, there is a record of him in the Veterans Gravesite source, correctly identifying his burial place as Rock Island, IL.
My only disappointment here is that I couldn't find any additional information about my uncle's time in the Navy. One of our great family stories is that both he and my great-aunt were spies during World War II, but neither would ever talk about that experience.
3. In Ancestry Library, perform a search under the “Photos and Maps” tab for “Maine” as the keyword. Report your findings.
I found an overwhelming amount of information available when I searched "Maine" by photos and maps. Clearly one would need to narrow their search to get specific information, but the wealth of offerings demonstrated to me that just about any historical map/atlas on Maine can be found here!
I really enjoyed exploring this resource! I only wish that it was available at home - I would be much more likely to delve more deeply if I could do so from my own desk (at an hour and day when my public library is not open).
1. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be dead to be listed in Ancestry Library and can frequently find useful information in the U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002. You may even find your marriage license. Search for your own name in Ancestry Library and report the results.
When I searched my name and birth date, I was indeed somewhat surprised to find my marriage record! Even more exciting, I could view a scan of the original license. I found some other basic address information, but the marriage license was definitely the highlight of the search.
2. In Ancestry Library, search for a grandparent or great-grandparent and see if you can locate them in the census. Report your findings.
I was very interested to look up my great-uncle by marriage, as I knew that he was born in Maine, but left at an early age. The family knows next to nothing about his ancestry, and once he left Maine, he never returned.
I was delighted to find him in the 1910 and 1920 census, listed as living in Houlton. Interestingly, I discovered that both his parents were from Canada and his father was listed in the 1910 census, but not in 1920 (making me wonder if he passed away when my great uncle was just a small child). In the 1930 census he is listed as living in Barnstable, MA. Finally, there is a record of him in the Veterans Gravesite source, correctly identifying his burial place as Rock Island, IL.
My only disappointment here is that I couldn't find any additional information about my uncle's time in the Navy. One of our great family stories is that both he and my great-aunt were spies during World War II, but neither would ever talk about that experience.
3. In Ancestry Library, perform a search under the “Photos and Maps” tab for “Maine” as the keyword. Report your findings.
I found an overwhelming amount of information available when I searched "Maine" by photos and maps. Clearly one would need to narrow their search to get specific information, but the wealth of offerings demonstrated to me that just about any historical map/atlas on Maine can be found here!
I really enjoyed exploring this resource! I only wish that it was available at home - I would be much more likely to delve more deeply if I could do so from my own desk (at an hour and day when my public library is not open).
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Week 7 - Consumer Health Resources
This assignment was a relief after last week's business adventure!
Health Source - Consumer Edition:
I searched for "basal cell carcinoma" in this database and there were 252 hits. When I limited the publication dates to 2006-2012, that number shrunk to 105 (which means there's quite a bit of up to date info available on this topic). The articles were a mix of scholarly and and more consumer friendly.
Medline Plus Discovery Exercise:
1. Look at a few of the links on the main page. What’s in the news column on the right side? Indicate in your blog post what some of the top searches are as listed on the left side of the page.
The top searches are predominantly posted on the right side of the page. They include: aspirin, asthma, autism, breast cancer, calcium, diabetes, dietary fats and hypertension. Obviously they are listed in alphabetical order and one click will expand the list beyond "d."
2. Click on tab “Drugs and Supplements” and search for a medication you take or you have seen ads about recently such as Prilosec or Cymbalta. Note the kind of information available.
I clicked on "drugs and supplements" and then on "Herbs and Supplements" and was disappointed that neither of the two supplements I searched for were included (eyebright and triphala). Undaunted, I checked one that I knew had to be there - green tea. There were two articles available - one from the NIH and the other from the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database). Both articles provided quite extensive information.
4. Click on “Health Topics” and search for the same disease or condition you looked at in Health Source. How does the information in MedlinePlus differ from that in Health Source?
There were 948 hits in response to the search query "basal cell carcinoma" in MedlinePlus. The first few pages of hits appeared to be more user friendly than what came up in Health Source and are geared towards a "regular" information seeker.
5. Look at the list of videos available by clicking on “Videos and Cool Tools” tab. Pick one video and launch it so you have an idea of what a patron would experience. What did you think of the video?
I watched the video on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery, which was gory enough to make me hope to never need the surgery! (Actually, it wasn't that gory - I am just squeamish). For a patient going in to surgery who would like to know exactly what will happen, these videos will be comforting. For someone who would rather just have a vague idea, this would be way too much!
Health Source - Consumer Edition:
I searched for "basal cell carcinoma" in this database and there were 252 hits. When I limited the publication dates to 2006-2012, that number shrunk to 105 (which means there's quite a bit of up to date info available on this topic). The articles were a mix of scholarly and and more consumer friendly.
Medline Plus Discovery Exercise:
1. Look at a few of the links on the main page. What’s in the news column on the right side? Indicate in your blog post what some of the top searches are as listed on the left side of the page.
The top searches are predominantly posted on the right side of the page. They include: aspirin, asthma, autism, breast cancer, calcium, diabetes, dietary fats and hypertension. Obviously they are listed in alphabetical order and one click will expand the list beyond "d."
2. Click on tab “Drugs and Supplements” and search for a medication you take or you have seen ads about recently such as Prilosec or Cymbalta. Note the kind of information available.
I clicked on "drugs and supplements" and then on "Herbs and Supplements" and was disappointed that neither of the two supplements I searched for were included (eyebright and triphala). Undaunted, I checked one that I knew had to be there - green tea. There were two articles available - one from the NIH and the other from the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database). Both articles provided quite extensive information.
4. Click on “Health Topics” and search for the same disease or condition you looked at in Health Source. How does the information in MedlinePlus differ from that in Health Source?
There were 948 hits in response to the search query "basal cell carcinoma" in MedlinePlus. The first few pages of hits appeared to be more user friendly than what came up in Health Source and are geared towards a "regular" information seeker.
5. Look at the list of videos available by clicking on “Videos and Cool Tools” tab. Pick one video and launch it so you have an idea of what a patron would experience. What did you think of the video?
I watched the video on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgery, which was gory enough to make me hope to never need the surgery! (Actually, it wasn't that gory - I am just squeamish). For a patient going in to surgery who would like to know exactly what will happen, these videos will be comforting. For someone who would rather just have a vague idea, this would be way too much!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Week 6 - Business Resources
Admittedly, I came to this week's exercise with less enthusiasm than previous weeks. None of the discovery exercises appealed to me personally and I am a K-5 librarian, so obviously the relevance is limited there as well.
But, I was game to give it a go and worked on the Regional Business News question:
1. Pick a nationally known company. Search under the company’s name and look at the results.
I chose "Tim Horton's" as my nationally known company and got back 34 hits. Most of the articles were about the company's expansion and growth and came from a variety of journals (some Canadian, which makes sense since Tim Horton's is a Canadian company).
2. Narrow the regional search to something more appropriate for this area of the country.
For my regional search, I chose "Hannaford's" and was somewhat surprised that there were only 10 hits. The articles were a mix of hard news (a data security breach at Hannaford's) and soft news and again surprisingly, the most up to date article came from 2008 (not that up to date for business news).
3. Choose a Maine company to see what information is available about either the company or its industry.
I was quite disappointed to find that "Gelato Fiasco" did not return any hits (despite getting some national press, I know, for their business model). My second attempt was more fruitful - "Tom's of Maine" returned 29 hits, the most recent of which was published in September.
But, I was game to give it a go and worked on the Regional Business News question:
1. Pick a nationally known company. Search under the company’s name and look at the results.
I chose "Tim Horton's" as my nationally known company and got back 34 hits. Most of the articles were about the company's expansion and growth and came from a variety of journals (some Canadian, which makes sense since Tim Horton's is a Canadian company).
2. Narrow the regional search to something more appropriate for this area of the country.
For my regional search, I chose "Hannaford's" and was somewhat surprised that there were only 10 hits. The articles were a mix of hard news (a data security breach at Hannaford's) and soft news and again surprisingly, the most up to date article came from 2008 (not that up to date for business news).
3. Choose a Maine company to see what information is available about either the company or its industry.
I was quite disappointed to find that "Gelato Fiasco" did not return any hits (despite getting some national press, I know, for their business model). My second attempt was more fruitful - "Tom's of Maine" returned 29 hits, the most recent of which was published in September.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Week 5 - Novelist Plus
1. The basic search bar appears on every page in all of the NoveList
products. Pick a series that you would like to read. Type that series
into the search box, check “series” then select search. Right above your
results you will see a bar that includes “sort by” and “view.” Post on
your blog how the use of the “view” component could make your job
connecting readers with books easier.
I searched for the series "Books of Beginning" because it is one that I missed when it first came out and now I'm reading glowing reviews of the second in the series. The "sort by" feature is most useful when you (or your patron) is not sure what the sequence of the series is. Sorting by date (ascending or descending) would be extremely helpful with series that have many, many books that need to be read in order. I often find myself Googling for that information when kids come into my library looking for the next book in the series that they are reading. The "view" feature provides nice options for how much information is presented at once. For many students, the "detailed" view is great because they can see the cover and read a short description of each book, helping them identify whether or not it is a good fit for them.
2. You have just finished the last David Baldacci book. You really enjoy plot-driven, fast paced suspense stories. How can you find something new to read that is similar to Baldacci’s style? Type into the search box “David Baldacci,” check “author” then select search. David Baldacci will appear on the screen. There will be a brief description of his writing style, information about the appeal factors for his work and a listing of all the books he has written. Look to the right of the page and you will see “Read-alikes from NoveList.” In this case there are 9 authors recommended. The first three are displayed underneath. By hovering over the magnifying glass a box will pop up to tell you why this is a solid read-alike choice. If you click on the author link it will give you the same information for that author. If you hit the “Print All” you will get a page with all 9 authors listed and a brief reason for their placement in this category. In your blog, tell us how using this tool could make your job easier and promote better customer service in your library.
The "read-alike" feature is a wonderful resource for my students. When both avid and struggling readers come to me for a book suggestion, I often start with what they've read and loved. The NoveList read-alike feature enables students to find something similar to what they already love. This feature also enables students to become more independent library users - once they know it exists, it is very user friendly, so they can pursue read-alikes on their own.
3. Take some time to explore this robust database. How can using NoveList Plus help you to increase awareness of the collection you have worked so hard to build, for both new and older items? Share what you take away from this exercise on your blog.
I love NoveList K-8 Plus and this exercise reminded me that it is a tool I need to highlight early on in the year with all my students. Although I am not a fan of the Lexile as a measure of readability, the fact that it is available gives kids at least a guiding number by which to determine whether a book might be a good fit in terms of readability. The "Books to Movies" section is also something I've never used (maybe it is new?) but I can see that it would be hugely popular with my students, for whom movies often come first.
4. Take a few minutes to read what your fellow participants have said about the previous question on their blog.
I am so impressed with the vast number of librarians taking part in this learning opportunity! It has been really informative to see how people have responded so differently to the same questions, and reading my fellow librarians' responses has been almost as illuminating as doing the exercises myself.
I searched for the series "Books of Beginning" because it is one that I missed when it first came out and now I'm reading glowing reviews of the second in the series. The "sort by" feature is most useful when you (or your patron) is not sure what the sequence of the series is. Sorting by date (ascending or descending) would be extremely helpful with series that have many, many books that need to be read in order. I often find myself Googling for that information when kids come into my library looking for the next book in the series that they are reading. The "view" feature provides nice options for how much information is presented at once. For many students, the "detailed" view is great because they can see the cover and read a short description of each book, helping them identify whether or not it is a good fit for them.
2. You have just finished the last David Baldacci book. You really enjoy plot-driven, fast paced suspense stories. How can you find something new to read that is similar to Baldacci’s style? Type into the search box “David Baldacci,” check “author” then select search. David Baldacci will appear on the screen. There will be a brief description of his writing style, information about the appeal factors for his work and a listing of all the books he has written. Look to the right of the page and you will see “Read-alikes from NoveList.” In this case there are 9 authors recommended. The first three are displayed underneath. By hovering over the magnifying glass a box will pop up to tell you why this is a solid read-alike choice. If you click on the author link it will give you the same information for that author. If you hit the “Print All” you will get a page with all 9 authors listed and a brief reason for their placement in this category. In your blog, tell us how using this tool could make your job easier and promote better customer service in your library.
The "read-alike" feature is a wonderful resource for my students. When both avid and struggling readers come to me for a book suggestion, I often start with what they've read and loved. The NoveList read-alike feature enables students to find something similar to what they already love. This feature also enables students to become more independent library users - once they know it exists, it is very user friendly, so they can pursue read-alikes on their own.
3. Take some time to explore this robust database. How can using NoveList Plus help you to increase awareness of the collection you have worked so hard to build, for both new and older items? Share what you take away from this exercise on your blog.
I love NoveList K-8 Plus and this exercise reminded me that it is a tool I need to highlight early on in the year with all my students. Although I am not a fan of the Lexile as a measure of readability, the fact that it is available gives kids at least a guiding number by which to determine whether a book might be a good fit in terms of readability. The "Books to Movies" section is also something I've never used (maybe it is new?) but I can see that it would be hugely popular with my students, for whom movies often come first.
4. Take a few minutes to read what your fellow participants have said about the previous question on their blog.
I am so impressed with the vast number of librarians taking part in this learning opportunity! It has been really informative to see how people have responded so differently to the same questions, and reading my fellow librarians' responses has been almost as illuminating as doing the exercises myself.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Week 4 - Hobbies and Crafts Resource Center
Holy cow, I was unaware of this resource and I must confess I am pretty psyched about it. I am an avid knitter and I'm always looking for great patterns, guides, etc. that are free. There are some excellent websites out there (Ravelry, in particular) for this purpose, but I didn't realize that MARVEL was such a great resource as well. As an elementary school librarian I'm not sure if this database that will be especially useful for my students, but it's good to know about it for my crafty kids.
1. Pick a subject category to explore. Choose an area that interests you or something you’d like to learn about. Pick a subcategory too. On the results page, notice the ‘Find’ box that contains the search terms used. Does your library subscribe to any of the magazine titles listed?
I chose "Needlecrafts and Textiles" and then "Knitting." I further limited the search to "Knitting: Socks and Stockings" and was impressed with the 114 hits. The journals include Interweave Knits (including the latest one), Creative Knitting, and Wild Fibers, all exceptional knitting resources.
The "Knitting: Videos, How to" is the one section that I can envision being a great resource for my elementary school aged students. While the articles and patterns might be too text heavy for them to follow, the videos are great!
2. On the results page, look at the projects tab. What projects would you like to download and try?
When I check out the "projects" tab under "Knitting: Mittens, Hats & Scarves" the question is not so much which project would I like to download and try, but rather, can I find one that I don't want to download and try? This is awesome, and I especially appreciate that all the projects are in a PDF format, which makes them easy to download and print. The only thing I wish for that doesn't seem to exist is a little thumbnail photograph of the project in the results list. It's hard to tell from a project title what it might look like, so it would be great to have a hint before committing to downloading the PDF.
3. Look at the “Help” link at the upper right. Tell us something you learned by browsing the online help guide.
When I checked out the "Help" link I discovered that I can use RSS with my Ebsco database searches so that I get updates in my reader when a search that I've performed has a new hit. Wow! That streamlines my information gathering experience and I suspect it will become more popular with library patrons as RSS use becomes more wide spread.
1. Pick a subject category to explore. Choose an area that interests you or something you’d like to learn about. Pick a subcategory too. On the results page, notice the ‘Find’ box that contains the search terms used. Does your library subscribe to any of the magazine titles listed?
I chose "Needlecrafts and Textiles" and then "Knitting." I further limited the search to "Knitting: Socks and Stockings" and was impressed with the 114 hits. The journals include Interweave Knits (including the latest one), Creative Knitting, and Wild Fibers, all exceptional knitting resources.
The "Knitting: Videos, How to" is the one section that I can envision being a great resource for my elementary school aged students. While the articles and patterns might be too text heavy for them to follow, the videos are great!
2. On the results page, look at the projects tab. What projects would you like to download and try?
When I check out the "projects" tab under "Knitting: Mittens, Hats & Scarves" the question is not so much which project would I like to download and try, but rather, can I find one that I don't want to download and try? This is awesome, and I especially appreciate that all the projects are in a PDF format, which makes them easy to download and print. The only thing I wish for that doesn't seem to exist is a little thumbnail photograph of the project in the results list. It's hard to tell from a project title what it might look like, so it would be great to have a hint before committing to downloading the PDF.
3. Look at the “Help” link at the upper right. Tell us something you learned by browsing the online help guide.
When I checked out the "Help" link I discovered that I can use RSS with my Ebsco database searches so that I get updates in my reader when a search that I've performed has a new hit. Wow! That streamlines my information gathering experience and I suspect it will become more popular with library patrons as RSS use becomes more wide spread.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Week 3 - Newspapers and Maine Newstand
This week we are exploring newspapers and the Maine Newsstand, resources that I haven't used a whole lot in MARVEL. I have a subscription to the New York Times online, so I use that as my primary newspaper resource personally and because I work in a K-5 school library, the need for these resources is fairly limited. I'm hoping that this exploration will help me find ways to use Maine Newsstand with my students.
1. Do a basic search on something of interest to you. Report your findings and observations.
I did my basic search using the search term "Red Sox." I read just about everything published about the Red Sox, so I was interested to see if Proquest could find something I hadn't seen. I got 680,610 hits, more than I could manage, obviously. So I began limited my search, first by sorting the results so that the most recent appeared first, and then by limiting the results to those in this decade. That was still too much (98,000 hits), so I limited things once again by choosing one of the suggested subject headings.
The first article that came up was one in the Belfast Telegraph (as in Belfast, Ireland, not Belfast, Maine) which was interesting to me because it provided a different perspective on Red Sox ownership (the owners of the Red Sox also own a soccer team in the UK). There were also more than 20 hits dated today, which obviously indicates how up to date Proquest is.
Although using this database to get news does not feel as "fun" as using my NYTimes mobile app, it is clearly better for finding specific information. If I want to browse the news I'll stick with my app, but if I (or my patrons) need targeted information, Proquest is the way to go.
2. Save this search to perform again or create an alert which will let you know when something new is added that fits your search criteria.
The "save search" feature is handy for projects that might involve several different information-gathering sessions and/or the use of different devices. The alert is great as well if you want to stay on top of a particular subject, especially one that might not be on the front pages of the news.
3. See what your Invitational cohort is discovering. Choose at least one other Invitational blog, read that person’s post (about this or a previous lesson), and comment on it. You may like to check each others blogs throughout the Invitational as you learn together.
I posted a comment on RSU2's blog site (http://marvelouskidsrsu2.wordpress.com/):
I too felt a certain responsibility to learn more about Proquest and a hope that I would find a resource that I could use more consistently in my school library. You picked a much more scholarly subject than I agree that your results sound somewhat disappointing. As you mention, it's hard to imagine a student navigating through the many steps that you went through. I guess our work is in order in terms of modeling, scaffolding and practicing!
Thanks for a great post!
4. This is Maine Library Snapshot Week which makes it the perfect opportunity to report how many patrons/users/members you have helped find the information they need using this or any other MARVEL resource. Blog about an experience you had showing a patron how to use MARVEL.
I generally start teaching students how to access MARVEL in 3rd grade. We use KidsSearch and Searchasaurus as introductions to the database. In 4th and 5th grade I expand instruction to Britannica and Student Research Center. I find that students become more comfortable with the databases as they get older, but the functions are fairly intuitive and for the most part user-friendly. I always make a point to preface my MARVEL lessons with a Google search so we can compare and contrast (and my goal is that every student leaving my school knows that Google is not the place to start on a research project). It definitely takes practice and repeated exposure, but I find MARVEL to be a great tool to use with my patrons!
1. Do a basic search on something of interest to you. Report your findings and observations.
I did my basic search using the search term "Red Sox." I read just about everything published about the Red Sox, so I was interested to see if Proquest could find something I hadn't seen. I got 680,610 hits, more than I could manage, obviously. So I began limited my search, first by sorting the results so that the most recent appeared first, and then by limiting the results to those in this decade. That was still too much (98,000 hits), so I limited things once again by choosing one of the suggested subject headings.
The first article that came up was one in the Belfast Telegraph (as in Belfast, Ireland, not Belfast, Maine) which was interesting to me because it provided a different perspective on Red Sox ownership (the owners of the Red Sox also own a soccer team in the UK). There were also more than 20 hits dated today, which obviously indicates how up to date Proquest is.
Although using this database to get news does not feel as "fun" as using my NYTimes mobile app, it is clearly better for finding specific information. If I want to browse the news I'll stick with my app, but if I (or my patrons) need targeted information, Proquest is the way to go.
2. Save this search to perform again or create an alert which will let you know when something new is added that fits your search criteria.
The "save search" feature is handy for projects that might involve several different information-gathering sessions and/or the use of different devices. The alert is great as well if you want to stay on top of a particular subject, especially one that might not be on the front pages of the news.
3. See what your Invitational cohort is discovering. Choose at least one other Invitational blog, read that person’s post (about this or a previous lesson), and comment on it. You may like to check each others blogs throughout the Invitational as you learn together.
I posted a comment on RSU2's blog site (http://marvelouskidsrsu2.wordpress.com/):
I too felt a certain responsibility to learn more about Proquest and a hope that I would find a resource that I could use more consistently in my school library. You picked a much more scholarly subject than I agree that your results sound somewhat disappointing. As you mention, it's hard to imagine a student navigating through the many steps that you went through. I guess our work is in order in terms of modeling, scaffolding and practicing!
Thanks for a great post!
4. This is Maine Library Snapshot Week which makes it the perfect opportunity to report how many patrons/users/members you have helped find the information they need using this or any other MARVEL resource. Blog about an experience you had showing a patron how to use MARVEL.
I generally start teaching students how to access MARVEL in 3rd grade. We use KidsSearch and Searchasaurus as introductions to the database. In 4th and 5th grade I expand instruction to Britannica and Student Research Center. I find that students become more comfortable with the databases as they get older, but the functions are fairly intuitive and for the most part user-friendly. I always make a point to preface my MARVEL lessons with a Google search so we can compare and contrast (and my goal is that every student leaving my school knows that Google is not the place to start on a research project). It definitely takes practice and repeated exposure, but I find MARVEL to be a great tool to use with my patrons!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Week 2 - Britannica
This week we dive into the exploration of the MARVEL database with a visit to Encyclopedia Britannica. This is a resource I've used quite a bit with my elementary students, so I am fairly familiar with it, although my experience with the middle school and high school modules is limited.
The assignment:
1. Using Britannica Elementary, search for information on a mammal of your choice. Find a picture and information about its habitat.
I always use "ocelot" as my default mammal when I'm teaching research skills because I am fascinated by ocelots and I am always hoping to learn something new about this elusive animal. So, away we go!
Using the search term "ocelot," I get seven results, the first one being the obvious "best" hit. I like that in the results list I see a picture of an ocelot right away, without having to click. I think that immediate gratification is appealing to kids and it also lets them know they are on the right track. When I click on the first article (titled simply "Ocelot") I am pleased to see a short article with options to either translate it into Spanish or to listen to the article being read aloud. The read-aloud feature is excellent and enables students of all reading abilities to use this resource. Additionally, a left-hand sidebar shows a scrolling slideshow of ocelot images, which is excellent. The embedded Merriam-Webster's Dictionary makes it easy to look up unfamiliar words by simply double-clicking on them. My students (and I) also very much appreciate that Britannica articles are easy to save, print or email (there are bright, user-friendly icons at the top of the article to direct these actions) and also to cite. I simply click on "Cite article" and voila, I am able to cut and paste:
"Ocelot." Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012. Web. 9 Oct. 2012.
The images that I can link to through this article are clearly identified:
All in all, the Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia provides an excellent (if brief) overview about ocelots that would be a good starting place for students doing animal research.
2. Using Britannica Middle School, search for information on the same mammal you searched in Britannica Elementary and compare the amount of information.
The middle school version of Britannica returned thirteen hits (as opposed to the seven returned by the elementary version). The types of articles are similar, and the additional breadth would be appropriate for middle school aged researchers.
3. Using Britannica High School, search for a country. Notice the types of information available on the right side bar of the results screen. What types of information will be most valuable to your patrons?
My search for the country "Romania" returned a surprising 971 hits. This might be a somewhat overwhelming amount of information for some users. The variety of types of information available in the high school search is significantly broader than in the middle or elementary search, as information seekers can choose journals and magazines, Britannica Concise Encyclopedia articles, the Web's Best Sites and Primary Sources and E-books (primary sources and e-books strike me as very different types of resources, and yet here they are linked). The value of these different resources depends very much on the information seeker's needs - a student writing a typical "country report" would find the encyclopedia articles of great interest, whereas someone traveling to the country might be more interested in the journal and magazine articles. All in all, the variety of resources ensures that there is information for a wide range of uses.
4. Using either the Middle or School level, click on Help (top right). In the index which is on the left side, click on “Working with Articles” and then on “Workspace”. How useful will this feature be for your students and teachers?
The "Workspace" feature of Encyclopedia Britannica has the potential to be very useful for both teachers and students. For teachers, it is a great way to gather, curate and then share resources on a particular topic. For students, the workspace allows them to save and share their resources from any device. So, a student could start a project at school with their MLTI laptop, poke around in their saved articles on their mom's iPad while waiting in the car at the grocery store, and then revisit (or expand) their resource list at home on the family desktop. The workspace could also be a great tool for collaboration amongst students (and teachers).
The assignment:
1. Using Britannica Elementary, search for information on a mammal of your choice. Find a picture and information about its habitat.
I always use "ocelot" as my default mammal when I'm teaching research skills because I am fascinated by ocelots and I am always hoping to learn something new about this elusive animal. So, away we go!
Using the search term "ocelot," I get seven results, the first one being the obvious "best" hit. I like that in the results list I see a picture of an ocelot right away, without having to click. I think that immediate gratification is appealing to kids and it also lets them know they are on the right track. When I click on the first article (titled simply "Ocelot") I am pleased to see a short article with options to either translate it into Spanish or to listen to the article being read aloud. The read-aloud feature is excellent and enables students of all reading abilities to use this resource. Additionally, a left-hand sidebar shows a scrolling slideshow of ocelot images, which is excellent. The embedded Merriam-Webster's Dictionary makes it easy to look up unfamiliar words by simply double-clicking on them. My students (and I) also very much appreciate that Britannica articles are easy to save, print or email (there are bright, user-friendly icons at the top of the article to direct these actions) and also to cite. I simply click on "Cite article" and voila, I am able to cut and paste:
"Ocelot." Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012. Web. 9 Oct. 2012.
The images that I can link to through this article are clearly identified:
 |
|
2. Using Britannica Middle School, search for information on the same mammal you searched in Britannica Elementary and compare the amount of information.
The middle school version of Britannica returned thirteen hits (as opposed to the seven returned by the elementary version). The types of articles are similar, and the additional breadth would be appropriate for middle school aged researchers.
3. Using Britannica High School, search for a country. Notice the types of information available on the right side bar of the results screen. What types of information will be most valuable to your patrons?
My search for the country "Romania" returned a surprising 971 hits. This might be a somewhat overwhelming amount of information for some users. The variety of types of information available in the high school search is significantly broader than in the middle or elementary search, as information seekers can choose journals and magazines, Britannica Concise Encyclopedia articles, the Web's Best Sites and Primary Sources and E-books (primary sources and e-books strike me as very different types of resources, and yet here they are linked). The value of these different resources depends very much on the information seeker's needs - a student writing a typical "country report" would find the encyclopedia articles of great interest, whereas someone traveling to the country might be more interested in the journal and magazine articles. All in all, the variety of resources ensures that there is information for a wide range of uses.
4. Using either the Middle or School level, click on Help (top right). In the index which is on the left side, click on “Working with Articles” and then on “Workspace”. How useful will this feature be for your students and teachers?
The "Workspace" feature of Encyclopedia Britannica has the potential to be very useful for both teachers and students. For teachers, it is a great way to gather, curate and then share resources on a particular topic. For students, the workspace allows them to save and share their resources from any device. So, a student could start a project at school with their MLTI laptop, poke around in their saved articles on their mom's iPad while waiting in the car at the grocery store, and then revisit (or expand) their resource list at home on the family desktop. The workspace could also be a great tool for collaboration amongst students (and teachers).
Monday, October 1, 2012
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