Gale Virtual Reference Library

I chose "wind energy" for my topic under bacic search. I was surprised as to the amount of information one found plus giving reference to the benefits & drawbacks and the economic impact of wind energy.

I liked the simplicity of the research. Both  high school & middle school students would be able to utilize.  Having  the article read too was a nice element, as a student could return to the reference to go over again, to help understand & reinforce. I thought the citation tool feature was benificial to help explain & provided examples for formatting.

 I can see staff utilizing on a smart board and or on their wikki space. They would be able to highlight the areas they want to reinforce and have it read to the students for modeling what information they are seeking in a report.The side bar and the dictionary are  nice features, which again supports and strengthens the information a staff member, would want their students to remember.

PROQUEST:

PROQUEST:
 Looking and researching on Proquest for our district is used for high school students.When students come in and need information from a journal, newspapers or magazines they are directed to utilize Proquest. Being a small district we are not able to offer a wide varitey of articles so Proquest offers our district the content at a click of a mouse.

I do think proquest is somewhat overwhelming. Students always want to use the quickest way and trying to have them use the advanced search makes them have to think more indepth and sometimes outside the box! They just want an answer immediately and at their fingertips.They will be glad when furthing their education that Proquest is available to them!

Do not see elementary using this site.

SIRS: Discovery

In our district, I find this site to be useful for Elementary students and staff. The  websites featured are great .... being a tech coordinator, I know they will be educational and trusted sites, so students are safe in searching.

This is a great tool to use with the smart board as the classroom teacher can show the features, familarize & demonstrate to their students how the site works before students are assigned their project.

 This site is useful for not only articles, but the added features of pictures,or activites within their report.

Students can search according to publication date and know the reading levels. Thus it gives each student, no matter their reading level,  a feeling of accomplishment and understanding for thier article. 

The SIRS-Issues Researcher is utilized by our High School English/Speech teacher for "all" her  high school students. 

The students love it as the research is all at their  fingertips.

If a student has difficulty in finding a subject area they are able to choose a topic. 

Each topic is by catogories.The Pros & Cons of a subject, website links,along with the ability to understand the quick search, search syntax, search methods, sorting, etc. assist in building good research skills.

The Curriculum Pathfinders, under the data base featue, goes along with our teaching of 21st Century Skills. It reinforces staffs lesson plans in the areas of Math, Scienc, Social Studies, Language Arts, Fine Arts and Health.

Wihtin the toolbox feature the powerpoint presentation could be utilized as a rubric & the research guide for critical thinking, is superior for a student to use in doing a research project!