Sirs Issues Researcher

1.I looked at the information about global warming.  I could really see the issues researcher as being a useful tool with language arts students who are practicing persuasive writing.  I plan to show it to the 7th and 8th grade teachers when I have an opportunity.

2. In Curriculum Pathfinders, I chose language arts and looked at articles related to fairy tales.  It was interesting to see the different articles.  I could possibly use this to show 6th grade students why it is still valuable to know about fairy tales.  There are issues in modern literature and even in movies that do not make sense unless they are familiar with the original fairy tale.

Sirs Discoverer

1.I like the ease of use when looking up information with Sirs Discoverer.  I use this with middle school students even though it is intended for an elementary audience.  I use it because it is easy to point out the differences between using a database from the state library and using Google to search the entire internet.  I like the color and the symbols because it is easy to show students that these articles are specially selected for their reading level.  Also, the information about the source for the article is very clear where it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the source when an article is found directly from the internet.  I recently had students complete a four square grid to show the advantages and disadvantages of using Sirs Discoverer versus using Google as a search engine.  It allowed an opportunity to discuss currency, relevancy, and other factors involved in evaluating information.

2.The Country Facts feature would be useful for 7th grade research.  However, our 7th graders currently use the CIA World Factbook and I'm curious to see if it is more current.  I'm going to do a search and find out.
The CIA World Factbook entry for Switzerland as found using Google had been updated Jan. 12, 2012, so it is more current.  I do like the layout of the entry in Sirs Discoverer better.

Since the maps in the Maps of the World are printable, I assume students could use them without worrying about violation of copyright.

I also used the Biographies feature.  I wish there was a way to browse alphabetically when students (or me for that matter) don't know how to spell the name of the person they are looking for.  It would also allow students to browse for a topic when they have to research about a person and they're not sure who to choose.  OK,  I found the browse feature after I tried to look up a person's name.  I found Bow Wow ( a rapper) but no Justin Bieber.

Learning Express Library

2. I have demonstrated using Learning Express Library with middle school students.  I promote it as a risk-free way to practice taking tests and as a self tutorial.  I like that the tests not only tell which answers are correct, but that they give an explanation of why the answer is correct or incorrect.
3.  I chose to explore the resume writing course.  This is very useful and also timely since I haven't updated my resume for 20 years!!  I have gotten through a few pages of it, and will continue at a later date.  I'm enjoying it so far and will keep you posted as I progress.  OK, I worked a little more on creating a resume.  I am excited about using this to update my resume.  What a great tool for someone in search of a job.
4.  I downloaded the book Reading in 15 Minutes a Day.  I'm impressed that it had a fairly current copyright date (2008).  It appears quite good.   Once again, what a bargain for new and experienced teachers.  I try to spread the word about Learning Express Library, but most people I know don't want to take the time to explore.  I need to keep it at the front of my brain so I can mention it when teachers are asking for resources.

Using World Book School Edition

1.Using World Book Kids, I looked up "elephant."  It was not as easy as I thought it would be.  Finding a picture was easy, but finding the habitat was not so easy.  I repeated the search using "elephant habitat."  This found one article about animals in general.  I think a young child would get frustrated at this point.  I tried the advanced search.  The database automatically filled in elephant habitat when I just wanted elephant and to use the boolean operator to put habitat in the second box.  I had to go back to delete habitat in the first box.  I never did find the habitat.  I guess I need more practice.

2. Using World Book Students, I found many more articles to choose from.  I didn't find a specific section of information about the elephant habitat including a map.  This was disappointing, but maybe I didn't spend enough time with it.  I am open to suggestions for options I may not have tried.  I did like the outline in the left margin of the article that made it easy to navigate through the information.

3.  Using World Book Advanced, I looked up "Australia."  I like that one of the choices for search results is Primary Sources.  One of our reading standards is that students will be able to identify Primary Sources.
Once an article is open, students will be able to link to related articles. without having to return to the results list.

4.  Using World Book Discoverer, once an article was open, the option of reading it in Spanish or French was available.  I could also use the pull down menu under translate to choose from various languages.  That was pretty amazing!  I'll show this to my students who are interested in exploring other languages.  I'll also show it to the World Languages teacher.