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.
Hi, M, what a great way to teach about sources!! Thanks for the idea! SIRS tries hard to keep up its maps and country facts, but it's good to know that the CIA World Factbook is more up to date. SIRS may be a good place to start because it is simpler and then check in the CIA World Factbook for currency. I'm not fond of the Biographies special feature, as I find I have better luck doing a name search in the search box. Browsing will led you to biographies in certain occupations, though. Who is included is dictated by what is published and selected by SIRS editorial staff, because the articles here are selected from children's magazines and chosen primarily with curriculum in mind (though IMHO that doesn't explain Bow Wow's presence! ) :)
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