Search, Topics, Publications, and Reference index tabs.
There is also a sub-index to track the searcher’s list, cart, timelines and/or quizzes.
5:
Extensive search techniques including multi word queries, Boolean, wildcard, and connecting searches.
There is an “Advanced Search” tab (allows for natural Language or Boolean and to narrow the result product type) and “Popular Searches” (recent topics that have been researched with many hits).
Search can be as narrow or as broad as one allows it to be.
12, 18, 19:
The written documentation is easy to sort. All results no matter the type are organized the same way.
It is easy to locate where the information is from and what type of source it originates in. The graphic symbols for article, photo, map, website etc. help to make this documentation even clearer.
A citation tool is provided. It is easy to see because it breaks into the citation, an editing function to change the information, and a feedback tool that helps students get everything exactly right in the citation.
Many example citations are given.
14:
The directions on how to search and how to cite etc. are very concise and clear.
17:
The search results always offer an friendly orange box of “why don’t you try:” other search topics. When typing in something narrow or broad it always generates suggested alternatives.
It shows the results in numerical sense as well at the top in bold.
This database helps to teach the skill of narrowing a topic. It is also easy to bring result types to the top of the results. Again, the handy icons of each type of result is used for this selection tool.
This database also has a “Jump to the Best Part” target to click on that takes the searcher to these best part to see if the result is what the searcher intended.
+ Overall visual appeal =
4 – it is simple and easy to navigate with the eyes.
Not overly colorful, but not too busy on the same token.
+ Overall ease of navigation =
5 - I find this database easy to navigate without frustration.
The icons and simple layout make it easy for a variety of information literacy readiness levels.
Newsbank:
4:
There is America’s Historical Newspapers and the Access World News – Student Edition.
From there the main page is indexed into Current Events, Special Reports, Maps, and Teacher/Librarian Resources.
5:
It suggests searching by words, names, and phrases.
One can also search by dates & eras, article types, places of publication, and newspaper titles.
Search options are shown with form boxes to fill in.
Easy and guiding for advanced searching.
12, 18, 19
Citation material is collected at the top in a similar locatable place, but it is not in any format (MLA).
The citation exporter comes up with an odd pop-up box that doesn’t help. An additional citation generator is needed.
It will not produce a bibliography for the user.
The written documentation is a little overwhelming to the eyes. There is a lot of other things to sift through. Although the primary source scanning of the newspapers is neat and clear, the design overall isn’t user friendly for middle school aged students.
14:
The home screen is easy to read
Once one is at the newspaper articles or the search results, it is unattractive and difficult to sort visually. Students would give up easily at the results.
It is too much to read and sort before getting to the reading and sorting of the results
15:
The searching help is clear.
But the directions on how to use this site would need to be supported with a lot of direct teacher instruction.
This is not easy to use with the directions and database gives alone.
17:
There are suggested ways to view the results that might be helpful, but it does not give feedback or alternatives about narrowing or building depth into the search topic.
A researcher would have to do a lot of sifting.
There are ways to change, order, and rank the results, but no feedback. Every topic seems too broad. It finds a lot on everything.
+ overall visual appeal =
2.5. This website needs some updated visual appeal.
This database screams microphiche on the web.
Though the content could be used by teachers, I don’t find this student friendly.
+ overall ease of navigation =
I think this takes a pretty info. literate searcher or a lot of direct instruction to be useful.
2 - this database has fairly complex navigation
Gale:
4:
·It is indexed by Cultures, Geography, Literature, Science, US History, and World History. Superior Indexing and Subject Guide: Students find the most relevant results quickly 5: ·There are popular topics to search by easily ·There is a basic, subject guide, publication, advanced, curriculum standards, and topic tree search. ·Search can be narrowed into keyword or entire document results. ·The type of results – the content type – can also be specified. 12, 18, 19: ·The written documentation is clear and color coded. The colorful tabs make it clear as to what type of content one is looking at. ·Citations are at the top AND bottom of the page clearly listed as an endnote to each source. A ‘How to cite’ button helps to download a generated citation in MLA or plain text format to cut and paste into another document. 14: ·The screen is extremely easy to read. ·There is a Read Speaker to help read what is on every screen. ·There is also a translator that can translate pages into 8 different languages. ·The color coding the consistent screen layout makes this database very user friendly. 15: ·Directions and navigation steps easy to follow. ·It keeps track of the path one took at the top, so it is easy to go back to where on was if one wants. ·I think there is so much in this database though that directions on how to use it would be enhanced with some instruction on how to use its features. It can function with simple user trial and error, but it would be used better with some instruction. 17: ·Immediate possible ‘other’ subject terms are generated. ·There are different ways to sort the results on the screen. ·There is a ‘refine search’ button that helps students expand or limit the search with several filters. This is done with form filler boxes. + overall visual appeal =
I give Gale a 4.
It was really easy to visually get through the numerous results.
+ overall ease of navigation =
I give Gale a 5.
With the ReaderSpeaker fuction, Gales is really easy to navigate. The suggestions for further research are also key.
ProQuest e-Library:
4:
- Search, Topics, Publications, and Reference index tabs.
- There is also a sub-index to track the searcher’s list, cart, timelines and/or quizzes.
5:12, 18, 19:
- The written documentation is easy to sort. All results no matter the type are organized the same way.
- It is easy to locate where the information is from and what type of source it originates in. The graphic symbols for article, photo, map, website etc. help to make this documentation even clearer.
- A citation tool is provided. It is easy to see because it breaks into the citation, an editing function to change the information, and a feedback tool that helps students get everything exactly right in the citation.
- Many example citations are given.
14:17:
+ Overall visual appeal =
- 4 – it is simple and easy to navigate with the eyes.
- Not overly colorful, but not too busy on the same token.
+ Overall ease of navigation =Newsbank:
4:- There is America’s Historical Newspapers and the Access World News – Student Edition.
- From there the main page is indexed into Current Events, Special Reports, Maps, and Teacher/Librarian Resources.
5:12, 18, 19
- Citation material is collected at the top in a similar locatable place, but it is not in any format (MLA).
- The citation exporter comes up with an odd pop-up box that doesn’t help. An additional citation generator is needed.
- It will not produce a bibliography for the user.
- The written documentation is a little overwhelming to the eyes. There is a lot of other things to sift through. Although the primary source scanning of the newspapers is neat and clear, the design overall isn’t user friendly for middle school aged students.
14:- The home screen is easy to read
- Once one is at the newspaper articles or the search results, it is unattractive and difficult to sort visually. Students would give up easily at the results.
- It is too much to read and sort before getting to the reading and sorting of the results
15:17:
+ overall visual appeal =
- 2.5. This website needs some updated visual appeal.
- This database screams microphiche on the web.
- Though the content could be used by teachers, I don’t find this student friendly.
+ overall ease of navigation =Gale:
4:
· It is indexed by Cultures, Geography, Literature, Science, US History, and World History.Superior Indexing and Subject Guide: Students find the most relevant results quickly
5:
· There are popular topics to search by easily
· There is a basic, subject guide, publication, advanced, curriculum standards, and topic tree search.
· Search can be narrowed into keyword or entire document results.
· The type of results – the content type – can also be specified.
12, 18, 19:
· The written documentation is clear and color coded. The colorful tabs make it clear as to what type of content one is looking at.
· Citations are at the top AND bottom of the page clearly listed as an endnote to each source. A ‘How to cite’ button helps to download a generated citation in MLA or plain text format to cut and paste into another document.
14:
· The screen is extremely easy to read.
· There is a Read Speaker to help read what is on every screen.
· There is also a translator that can translate pages into 8 different languages.
· The color coding the consistent screen layout makes this database very user friendly.
15:
· Directions and navigation steps easy to follow.
· It keeps track of the path one took at the top, so it is easy to go back to where on was if one wants.
· I think there is so much in this database though that directions on how to use it would be enhanced with some instruction on how to use its features. It can function with simple user trial and error, but it would be used better with some instruction.
17:
· Immediate possible ‘other’ subject terms are generated.
· There are different ways to sort the results on the screen.
· There is a ‘refine search’ button that helps students expand or limit the search with several filters. This is done with form filler boxes.
+ overall visual appeal =
- I give Gale a 4.
- It was really easy to visually get through the numerous results.
+ overall ease of navigation =