Session 14: Getting More out of NOVEL Databases

Focusing Questions

Why use an online database with students rather than a search engine or directory?

What are some great features of the EBSCO and Gale databases available to us for free through NOVEL and NYCSLS?

Instruction

Framing Our Work: Why use a database?

Visual learning advantagesCharts, graphs and tables Interactive graphic search engineGreat visuals with more PDF filesHistorical and current photos with captions

Differentiated learningVariety of reading levelsSpanish language (for new immigrants/ELLs)

Framing Our Work: Why use a database?

Authoritative InformationDifferent types of sourcesCurrent, credible informationBackground informationResources not available on the web

Teaching

We are going to use the advanced search page while exploring both EBSCO and Gale to practice the skills we learned in Session 6.

We will reflect on why and when we use databases along the way.

Let’s look at some star features…

EBSCO DATABASES

Photographs with captions

For all grade

levelsSame photos

on each

Students can read it! (So can struggling readers)

Word count, charts

HS: TopicSearch gives opposing viewpoints on current events

PDF files…look like the real thing

Visual search option

Gale: Find eBooks

Power search:Advanced search page for eBooks

Search particular reference titles

Gale: Find current newspaper articles

Power search: Advanced search page for newspaper articles

Masterfile: Advanced Search Help

Click here for help menu.

Advanced Search page

Need visual to teach/learn?

Masterfile has a great advanced search help page.

Visual search has a PPT tutorial—highly recommended.

Searchasaurus has a great labeled page to use when teaching elementary kids.

Visual search tutorial

http://support.ebsco.com/training/flash_videos/VisualSearch.html

Searchasaurus Tutorial

1. Click tutorial

2. Click The Results List

Guided Practice

Now I am going to show you how I used some of these features on EBSCO to find global warming documents, including graphs, charts, and photographs using EBSCO and Gale.

EBSCO http://search.epnet.com/Username: ps347el Password: ps347el

Gale Reference Libraryhttp://www.infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/

nysl_me_77_cmhs

Work Time

Getting Started

I want you to keep in mind the advantages of databases, and practice using your advanced searching techniques.

Today and everyday I want you to use the advanced search menu to gain background information on global warming.

Work Time

Now you will have time to create an account, save searches, and gather articles and photographs on global warming on EBSCO. Use limiters we practiced to refine your search.

In Gale, find a newspaper article written in the last 15 days. Choose the newspaper databases. Do a separate search for an eBook article using the Gale Reference Library database. Remember to limit by publication title. Include only relevant science reference titles.

Share

Why and how are you going to use the NOVEL databases?

Share

New York City Curriculum Resources Information Fluency Continuum

Phase: Investigate p. 18Indicator: uses a variety of search engines to do

advanced searching

New York City Performance Standards Applied Learning Standard 3a: Gather information to

assist in completing project work Applied Learning Standard 3b: Use information

technology to assist in gathering, organizing, and presenting information

Standards

Technology StandardsISTE National Educational Technology Standard (NETS)

Standard 5: Technology Research tools: -- Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources -- Students use evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

Standards