HOW TO DECIDE DATABASE OR SEARCH ENGINE? Margot Polley Feb. 6, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS Learning Objectives and Action Plan Review Video Search Engines vs. Database Database Examples Comparative Chart Tips Before Starting Research A Peek at What’s Ahead References

LEARNING OBJECTIVES UPON COMPLETION THE STUDENT WILL Understand the difference between a web search engine and a subscription database program Analyze a research query and know which resource is best Identify challenges regarding web searching Identify challenges regarding database programs

Audience and Purpose The audience will be ninth grade English I students of all academic levels: from special education, ESL, on level, or gifted. The show will be part of a five-part library orientation program. The challenge will be to create a show flexible enough to be useful to academically challenged students without boring the more advanced learners. This lesson focuses on teaching students to judge when it’s best to use a web search engine and when it’s best to us the InfoTrac databases available from our library. Presentation Method This show will be a user-interactive one. Sometimes a teacher or I will be present to guide, other times, not. Delivery Method The show will be a computer through PPT. However, a web version will be available from the library web site. Theme I will choose a theme template but make modify it to fit my needs. It will be academic in feel, yet “hip” enough to appeal to teenagers. Content The majority of the content is taken from the library skills curriculum we have developed over the past few years. It is aligned closely with Louisiana Content Standards and the Parish Guaranteed Curriculum. Visual Images Images will be consistent with the theme of the show and will include icons and pictures that will elicit a positive response from the students. Multimedia Effects The show will contain background music on slide one, a few instructional videos and numerous hyperlinks to additional web sites. Handouts and Notes I will include speaker notes but the PPT will allow the students to run the show without a presenter, in the event they are absent and need additional practice. Rehearsing the Presentation The presentation will be sent to various faculty members to test prior to using with students. Giving the Presentation The presentation will be used in various classrooms and possibly from home. When I am guiding the presentation in the library, I will consider lighting, chair arrangement, good speakers, and a high definition projector. Assessing Success and Refining I will ask for feedback from teachers and students and will base the success on that information and on a written assessment I will create as part of the whole lesson. Changes will be made according to feedback and student success, or lack of.

ACCESSING THE DATABASES Here is a video I created for you in case you forgot how to access the databases. Mr Gentry: I will embed this video when I actually use this ppt but I linked it due to the size constraints

I WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE PLAYING AT MY LOCAL THEATER.

THE WWW IS A GREAT PLACE TO FIND CURRENT INFORMATION AND A SEARCH ENGINE IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO START.

I AM REALLY CONFUSED ABOUT THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. WHERE CAN I GO TO FIND SUBSTANTIVE, OBJECTIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CANDIDATES? ?

WHILE THE WEB WILL HAVE LOTS OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE CANDIDATES, INFORMATION FROM REPUTABLE JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES IS A MUCH SAFER BET. BUT, JOURNALS HAVE AGENDAS TOO! Conservative Liberal

I’M NOT SURE IF DRINKING COFFEE IS BAD FOR MY HEALTH? WHERE DO I START? ?

THE WEB IS AWASH IN BAD MEDICAL INFORMATION. PLAY IT SAFE AND USE ONE OF THE HEALTH DATABASES THAT ARE PART OF OUR GALE SUBSCRIPTION NHS Remember the “card number” is LAK12

I NEED TO GET SOME BASIC INFORMATION ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AND I CAN’T GET TO THE LIBRARY TO GET A BOOK. WHERE SHOULD I START? Factoid: Bing is the search engine that drives YAHOO! ?

HERE IS A TABLE OF THE FOUR DATABASES THAT YOU COULD USE FOR FINDING INFORMATION ON DR. KING. Biography in Context Contains contextual information on the world's most influential people. Large amount of images and videos. US History in Context Contains contextual information on hundreds of the most significant people, events and topics in U.S. History. Student Resources in context Contains contextual information on a broad range of topics, people, places, and events. Links to many websites. General One File A one-stop source for news and periodical articles on a wide range of topics: business, computers, current events, economics, education, environmental issues, health care, hobbies, humanities, law, literature and art, politics, science, social science, sports, technology, and many general interest topics.

THIS ONE WOULD BE THE BEST PLACE TO START SINCE IT WILL FOCUS ON THIS LIFE AND WORKS AS A WHOLE.

THERE WAS A HUGE EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTH AMERICA LAST NIGHT. WHERE DO I GO TO FIND OUT THE EXACT MAGNITUDE? ?

WHILE THE DATABASES DO INCLUDE MANY NEWSPAPERS, THERE CAN A BE A SLIGHT DELAY BEFORE THE LATEST EDITION IS POSTED. THE NEWS PORTION OF THE MAJOR SEARCH ENGINES WILL PROVIDE CONSTANTLY UPDATED INFORMATION.

WHAT IS TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORY? Click the appropriate button on the left to find out!

HERE’S A SUMMARY TO KEEP IN MIND Gale InfoTrac Databases Purchased by the library Web Search Engines Free to anyone with computer access Content is reviewed by professionals No review standards with regard to content Information is organized Information not always organized Information is stable Location and content constantly change

TAKE TIME AND THINK BEFORE YOU START! IT SAVES TIME IN THE LONG RUN. The Question Currently Happening? More Historical? The Process Which Search Engine? Which Database? The Results Is the info biased? Is the info accurate? Where is the info coming from? Is the info up to date? Is there an author?

NOW THAT YOU ARE READY TO GET STARTED, CHECK OUT THIS CURRICULUM WEB THAT YOU WILL BE DOING FOR THE NEXT PART OF YOUR LIBRARY ORIENTATION. TAKE THE PRE-ASSESSMENT AND SEE HOW YOU DO!

Barack Obama Image. Retrieved February 4, 2012 from Bing Banner. Retrieved February 5, 2012 from Dogpile Banner. Retrieved February 5, 2012, from Duran Duran. (1980). Too Much Information, The Wedding Album. Downloaded from iTunes, October 10, Fandango Advertisement. Retrieved February 3, 2012, from Gale Cengage Banner. Retrieved February 2, 2012, from Google Banner. Retrieved February 6, 2101, from Mitt Romney Image. Retrieved February 3, 2012 from MSN Banner and New Screenshot. Retrieved February 1, 2012 from National Review Screenshot. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from The Nation Screenshot. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library. (2010) How database and search engines differ. Retrieved from Yahoo! Banner. Retrieved February 3, 2012, from References