One topic that interested me from the reading this week was chapter 8 on electronic reference sources. I knew about the boolean operators, but proximity, phrase searching, wild cards, and truncation, nesting, and set logic is something completely new and foreign to me. I've never really used anything fancy with my research. I've never been a strong researcher and have never really know where to look for things. The chapter was interesting but very technical at the same time, but I can understand how useful the different types of searches can be and I plan on trying some more specific searches out in the near future. I also liked chapter 6 on searching the web. It was interesting to learn about the four different types of search engines. It was interesting to discover what type the search engines that I use fit into and the strengths and weaknesses of each.
I think the Big 6 is a great concept to use. I like how everything is broken down into a step by step procedure and sets a person up for success by doing so. I feel like procedures and expectations are very well laid out through the Big 6. I like that there are 6 big stesps to start but then it breaks down into two sub categories that are important to be included. By having the sub categories it really shows what to look for and discover in a specified way. After discussion tonight I think it's great to have consistency in a school and have all the teachers focusing on research in the same way. I think it's great for students to know what is expected and take the guessing out of it.
I think as time goes on I will become more comfortable with doing a reference interview. I think I have all the steps that need to be included in the interview and I have the customer service skills necessary. At this time I don't have the knowledge to go along with the information. Once I get into a library and I become familiar with everything included in the library I think I will do a great job with the reference interview. At this time I at least get to practice some of the skills in my current job which is a nice way to stay up on the steps of it.
My internet log is coming along really well. I'm finding many resources that are relevant to the area that I chose. It's actually been really fun putting the log together and it will definately be useful to myself and my co-workers.
The database presentation is coming along. I am working with Kari to go over Culturegrams. I'm not familiar with it at all and have never worked with it so it's exciting to learn about something completely new and foreign to me. I'm sure in the next few weeks I will be learning a great deal about how the database works.
The class this week has once again reinforced the importance of incorporating technology and searching tools into lessons, activities, and everyday happenings. Every week I learn more about different seraching tools and different web 2.0 tools that I never knew about before. I feel like I have information overload at times but it's great to have so many resources available that I never really knew about before. I think the most valuable thing I have learned is the importance of finding new information and the new ways to present information to others. In my current job we use very little technology when we work with the kids and even when presenting new information to staff for trainings and meetings. I'm excited to start bringing more technology to my staff members and getting them excited about all the tools that are available to use. I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do since I'm just getting into all the techonology that is out there, but it's exciting to be learning so many new things that will be beneficial. We talked briefly this week on copyright restrictions regarding videos in the library and school. Our first course touched briefly on this topic, but I'm interested in learning a bit more about copyright restrictions and plan on looking into that this week.
Internet Log Link: https://docs.google.com/a/wolfmail.stritch.edu/document/d/1F6JGDyXgT7D2ifxWPxM-wik04R0HUhK6Q5RIZoxL-MI/edit?hl=en#
I think the Big 6 is laid out well also. For students this probably make everything so much easier since they would know exactly what is expected of them and it would be consistent from class to class.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Kari on the Big 6 being so well laid out. In the past when I have assigned research projects to students the panic radiates off of them. The Big 6 can help students avoid that because it sets them up for success.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Big6 really does take a lot of the hoping and guesswork out of a research assignment. It includes so much "common sense", yet it's all written down in a logical format. If a district adopts this for all students, K-12, it can really help students work on content instead of always worrying about process. If you can develop and practice regular and advanced search strategies, and develop reference interviewing skills, you are offering such wonderful resources to your students and staff! I'm glad that you've enjoyed finding the sites for your Internet Log. And, regarding CultureGrams, in addition to using that database from Kari's school, check your local public library. Many of them pay for this database and patrons can access it using their library cards.
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