Recent Changes

Presentation Agenda:
I. Introduction
II. Process with Wiki
III. Criteria & Analysis
IV. The Winner & Handout
V. Conclusion
Our Databases:
ProQuest e-library

COMMUNICATION HEADQUARTERS:
I think we just need to be certain to cover everything required for the assignment -- is there a rubric? I looked at the course shell description and am a little worried that Su and Dave might think the wiki is too "informal" -- look at numbers 3 and 4 under "The Task".
The agenda looks good. Let me know what you want me to cover; I'm not picky. -- Lisa
Next Meeting Thurs. 4-9 @ 8:30
(Ideas???? Changes to the order??? Additions???)
Presentation Agenda:
I. Introduction

I'm going to paste each section from my word document, but I changed the order of the databases to suit the order I in which examined them. The responses to the Bishop questions are first for each database.
In a nutshell:
The “winner” is Gale – easy to use, large variety of applications, helpful search recommendations, and a large variety of sub-databases.
ProQuest eLibrary – Lexiles and dates appearing on the results page is helpful, the literature and history sub-databases are also nice, but many of the results have high Lexiles (1200 or more), many lead the searcher to another link and possible further links beyond that, and it can be difficult to tell exactly which results are more relevant to the topic.

Our first task was to decide on criteria to use as the basis for our assessment. We quickly turned to Kay Bishop for criteria that we summarized and expanded to form the foundation of our assessment. We divided the criteria into four general groupings and assigned each member of the team a grouping. We reported our findings and conveyed our thoughts. We decided on which database was the best considering our criteria, established summary tasks and met again to add the finishing touches.
A database must be staff friendly if you want it to be used. While all three databases provided some sort of training modules or webinars, standards based content, quick citation generators, and a way to save searches, ProQuest has the added benefit of “carts” so that teachers can save resources to a cart that students can quickly access and Gale has bread crumb search navigation which makes searching easier. While I think ProQuest’s carts make it more staff friendly, I think Gale’s training modules and webinars are ultimately superior and make Gale easiest to teach to staff and get staff to use.
The findings on userUser friendliness concludecriteria shows that all
To evaluate the content of our three databases, I began with the same keyword searches on all three sites: Salem witchcraft, the Emancipation Proclamation document, Sir Isaac Newton’s Theory of Gravity, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Australian Wildfires of 2008-09 and looked at the other features on the site, such as maps or other links. For Literature specific searches, I looked for Nathaniel Hawthorne, and for History searches, I looked for the Magna Carta.
ProQuest eLibrary provides Lexiles and dates on the results page, which is helpful, but many of the results have high Lexiles (1200 or more). Many keyword searches lead the searcher to another link and possible further links beyond that, making it difficult to get back to the original search page. Some search results are vague, so it can be difficult to tell exactly which results are more relevant to the topic.

In our push to teach and reinforce sound 21st-century skills, the database is the heart of streamlined reference collections that allow superior access to high quality information. However, like other reference sources, databases are only useful if the information they compile and organize is relevant, accurate, originates from reputable sources, and is effortless to access. Because of their increasing significance in reference collections, our group was excited to scrutinize three popular databases that are often employed at the middle school level - ProQuest elibrary, Newsbank, and Gale.
Our first task was to decide on criteria to use as the basis for our assessment. We quickly turned to Kay Bishop for criteria that we summarized and expanded to form the foundation of our assessment. We divided the criteria into four general groupings and assigned each member of the team a grouping. We reported our findings and conveyed our thoughts. We decided on which database was the best considering our criteria, established summary tasks and met again to add the finishing touches.
be used. While all three databases provided some sort of training modules or webinars, standards based content, quick citation generators, and a way to save searches, ProQuest has the added benefit of “carts” so that teachers can save resources to a cart that students can quickly access and Gale has bread crumb search navigation which makes searching easier. While I think ProQuest’s carts make it more staff friendly, I think Gale’s training modules and webinars are ultimately superior and make Gale easiest to teach to staff and get staff to use.
The findings easy navigation. However, some unique characteristics of each stood out. Newsbank is this resource. While Newsbank is more teacher friendly, Proquest features that allowallows searchers to Try…” to otherwise help narrow graphic icons for index types are visually navigating a breeze for anyone.breeze. The citation simple to follow.use. Gale possesseshas all the positive friendly qualities just discussed for Proquest plus a few additional perks. Gale exceeds in user friendliness by providingprovides a Read began with the same keyword searches all three sites for the same topics:sites: Salem witchcraft,
ProQuest eLibrary provides Lexiles and dates on the results page, which is helpful, but many of the results have high Lexiles (1200 or more). Many keyword searches lead the searcher to another link and possible further links beyond that, making it difficult to get back to the original search page. Some search results are vague, so it can be difficult to tell exactly which results are more relevant to the topic.
NewsBank has original newspaper documents that are hard to read and the language would be very difficult for many middle school kids. Newspaper articles are primary sources and so often contain the biases of the time in which they were written and the number of results can often be overwhelming.
for students who are researching common or popular topics. There Big6 resource center andcenter. Gale supports for most content. In addition, Galecontent and has a can read content which gives it an edge.content. When evaluating for curriculum needs?Whileneeds? While investigating this periodicals. Newsbank appears to focusfocuses on newspapers, curriculum needs. That leaves Gale as the winner when analyzing support and systemic value because it has a reading/speech program.
Bishop, Kay. The Collection Program in Schools: Concepts, Practices, and
Information Sources Fourth Edition (Library and Information Science

In our push to teach and reinforce sound 21st-century skills, the database is the heart of streamlined reference collections that allow superior access to high quality information. However, like other reference sources, databases are only useful if the information they compile and organize is relevant, accurate, originates from reputable sources, and is effortless to access. Because of their increasing significance in reference collections, our group was excited to scrutinize three popular databases that are often employed at the middle school level - ProQuest elibrary, Newsbank, and Gale.
Our first task was to decide on criteria to use as the basis for our assessment. We quickly turned to Kay Bishop for criteria that we summarized and expanded to form the foundation of our assessment. We divided the criteria into four general groupings and assigned each member of the team a grouping. We reported our findings and conveyed our thoughts. We decided on which database was the best considering our criteria, established summary tasks and met again to add the finishing touches.
A database must be staff friendly if you want it to be used.
The findings on user friendliness conclude that all three online databases commonly have index tabs, multiple searching options, help for narrowing a topic, and fairly easy navigation. However, some unique characteristics of each stood out. Newsbank is friendly for a seasoned researcher who knows how to further scan/sift through primary sources, however, clearer directions are needed to navigate this site visually and a citation generator would help to update this resource. While Newsbank is more teacher friendly, Proquest features that allow searchers to “Jump to the Best Part” or “Why Don’t you Try…” to otherwise help narrow a topic. The graphic icons for index types are visually pleasing and make navigating a breeze for anyone. The citation generator is engaging yet simple to follow. Gale possesses the positive user friendly qualities just discussed for Proquest plus a few additional perks. Gale exceeds in user friendliness by providing a Read Speaker to help assist with the reading level of the findings and a translator that functions for eight other languages. Color coding and a consistent screen layout throughout the research process is an invaluable attribute for navigation purposes. Directions are unmistakably listed on the side margin and Gale keeps track of each step for easy return throughout the process.
To evaluate the content of our three databases, I began with keyword searches on all three sites for the same topics: Salem witchcraft, the Emancipation Proclamation document, Sir Isaac Newton’s Theory of Gravity, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Australian Wildfires of 2008-09 and looked at the other features on the site, such as maps or other links. For Literature specific searches, I looked for Nathaniel Hawthorne, and for History searches, I looked for the Magna Carta.

{http://liberty92.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/clapping-hands-lg1.jpg} Gale Junior
Gale Junior!!!!

In our push to teach and reinforce sound 21st-century skills, the database is the heart of streamlined reference collections that allow superior access to high quality information. However, like other reference sources, databases are only useful if the information they compile and organize is relevant, accurate, originates from reputable sources, and is effortless to access. Because of their increasing significance in reference collections, our group was excited to scrutinize three popular databases that are often employed at the middle school level - ProQuest elibrary, Newsbank, and Gale.
our assessment. The specific criterion used can be viewed onWe divided the Homepage of the evaluation wiki. Instead, we divided our twenty-eight appraisal itemscriteria into four team a grouping, which can be viewed on the Criteria Breakdown page of the wiki.grouping. We reported finishing touches. Our top database can be viewed on the WINNER is page of the wiki.
The findings on user friendliness conclude that all three online databases commonly have index tabs, multiple searching options, help for narrowing a topic, and fairly easy navigation. However, some unique characteristics of each stood out. Newsbank is friendly for a seasoned researcher who knows how to further scan/sift through primary sources, however, clearer directions are needed to navigate this site visually and a citation generator would help to update this resource. While Newsbank is more teacher friendly, Proquest features that allow searchers to “Jump to the Best Part” or “Why Don’t you Try…” to otherwise help narrow a topic. The graphic icons for index types are visually pleasing and make navigating a breeze for anyone. The citation generator is engaging yet simple to follow. Gale possesses the positive user friendly qualities just discussed for Proquest plus a few additional perks. Gale exceeds in user friendliness by providing a Read Speaker to help assist with the reading level of the findings and a translator that functions for eight other languages. Color coding and a consistent screen layout throughout the research process is an invaluable attribute for navigation purposes. Directions are unmistakably listed on the side margin and Gale keeps track of each step for easy return throughout the process.
Wildfires of 2008-09. I also2008-09 and looked at
ProQuest eLibrary provides Lexiles and dates on the results page, which is helpful, but many of the results have high Lexiles (1200 or more). Many keyword searches lead the searcher to another link and possible further links beyond that, making it difficult to get back to the original search page. Some search results are vague, so it can be difficult to tell exactly which results are more relevant to the topic.
NewsBank has original newspaper documents that are hard to read and the language would be very difficult for many middle school kids. Newspaper articles are primary sources and so often contain the biases of the time in which they were written and the number of results can often be overwhelming.
Gale is easy to use with a large variety of applications. With broad keyword searches, the site offers helpful search recommendations to narrow the topic in the direction that is most relevant. An alphabetical list of popular search topics is helpful for students who are researching common or popular topics. There is a large variety of sub-databases covering a wide scope of topics from ancient times to current events. The results are classified as “basic”, “advanced” or “intermediate” to provide options for readers with different abilities, though the basic level is generally more suited to average or advanced readers or older middle school students (8-9 graders as opposed to 6-7 graders). Gale searches offer results in a variety of formats – books, articles, images – and a note at the right side of the result tells what type of material it contains – an essay, a topic overview, a narrative biography, etc. Many of the results also contain a list of additional sites for “Further Reading” or “Related Media Files”.
reference material. Ultimately, all three rate well but Newsbank does not answer the “what is” questions well and would need curriculum needs. Ultimately, all three rate well but Newsbank lags in the curriculum area. That leaves reading/speech program. Additionally, Gale supports four browser languages thus enhancing its ability to assist more ELL students.
Bishop, Kay. Practices, and
Information
Information Sources Fourth Information Science
Text Series). Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 2007.