Empowering, Engaging and Educating Elementary Students with the Online Reference Centre Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator Concordia University of Edmonton November 18, 2015

What is the ORC? $1.7 million collection of curricular aligned authoritative digital resources licensed on behalf of all Alberta: K-12 students and their parents School staff Pre-service teachers Public library staff* Funded by a yearly Grant-In-Aid from Alberta Education to the Alberta Library (TAL) *for the purposes of supporting K-12 patrons

Why These Resources? Provide authoritative, age appropriate, engaging, curricular-aligned content Google and Wikipedia are the tip of the searching and information literacy iceberg allow students to become familiar and comfortable with the kind of resources and searching practises that are integral to 21st century learning Are time savers once you are familiar with them include embedded supports for diverse learners like listen, text translation, citation tools, vetted websites, copyright friendly pictures and videos Provide anytime, from anywhere with an internet connection access

What’s in it for Teachers? Direct curriculum correlations, curriculum mapping for Science and Social (under completion) Support for diverse learners Access to journals like Walrus, National Geographic, School Library Journal, Men’s Health, and MacLean’s (RSS feeds can be set up) Consistent and explicit update schedules Access to vetted websites Ability to create permalinks that can be posted on a website/moodle page.blog or sent in an blast

Accessing the ORC Go to LearnAlberta.caLearnAlberta.ca Select English and French Click “Online Reference Centre” in the tab along the top of the screen In school automatic authentication should occur Outside of school access requires username and password Concordia University Username: Password: Share your district username and password (low tech methods) for your remote

Quick Tips for Technology Management in the Classroom Create a direct link to the ORC Create enlarged icons of the databases you will use to post on board preload iPads, Smart Boards, or computers to save time Model in whole group - paired work - independent work Number each student - that will be their computer number every time Create recipe cards with each student’s login information - laminate and keep on a ring Assign in-class tech helpers Assist with age appropriate citations - icons, pre-made worksheets, etc.

QUESTIONS?

Support for Creating the Literacy Rich Classroom TeachingBooks.net

Recommended for K-12 Includes a wealth of support material to teach and promote books in your school and classroom (book trailers, author interviews and readings, author audio name pronunciation, book guides and lesson plans, etc.) Share pages using share, , or permalink Create QR flyer or shelf card Access Alberta specific booklists: Canadian Book Award Winners/Canadian Book and Author Resources Personalized book lists upon request or with a personal account

Resources that Support Literacy K-3 Early World of Learning *NEW* BookFLIX TrueFLIX

Early World of Learning New to the collection for 2015/2016 Designed for very young learners with human voice read aloud embedded throughout Stories, pictures, videos, songs and activities build literacy skills Related content to Science and Social Studies curricula Fun and interactive, works well on iPad or tablet

BookFLIX 118 fiction and nonfiction book pairs (236 books total) organized into themes Pairing fiction with related nonfiction increases student comprehension when reading both formats search titles by guided reading level, author, grade level, theme, etc. lesson plans provided for each pair Real voice audio support embedded throughout resources to allow emergent readers to navigate the resource independently Between 1-3 follow up “puzzlers” for each pair

TrueFLIX Sister resource to BookFLIX designed for grades 3-6 Nonfiction content divided into 2 broad themes with 3-5 sub themes Each eBook includes an introductory video to hope build background knowledge of topic and improve student comprehension Human voice read along feature to support emergent/struggling readers Interactive table of contents for each eBook, in addition to a glossary and index Essential inquiry questions and project ideas for every eBook

National Geographic Kids New to the collection for 2015/2016 Authoritative nonfiction content Award-winning maps and photos 200 National Geographic Kids Books 500 Kid-friendly, downloadable images National Geographic Kids Magazines (2009-Present, 3 month embargo) Incudes listen feature

Language Learning Muzzy Online

Recommended for students in K-6 Immersion language learning program Hundreds of words and phrases embedded in learning stories Siz movies in each language level with a subtitle option for all of the languages offered 101 thematic video lessons with embedded language learning games divided into level I & II All new 3D animation All new teachers materials Complete Elementary (Spanish & French) Classroom Editions (Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, and English)

Muzzy Online Curriculum Materials Step 1: Log In User: alberta Password: alberta4MuzzyOnline!

Resources Page After Login Step 2: Click on “Curriculum Materials”

Complete Elementary: Spanish and French Step 3: Choose between Complete Elementary (Spanish & French) OR Classroom Edition (Spanish, French Mandarin Chinese, & English)

What’s the Difference? Complete Elementary Curriculum moves at a slower pace Appropriate for pre and early readers Curriculum Edition Curriculum moves at a faster pace Covers more vocabulary per lesson

What’s Similar? All lessons expand and contract to fit variable session lengths All lessons are based on watching a clip from the Muzzy stories of vocabulary builder

Step-by-Step Lesson Plans Step 4: Select a Lesson Choose from a wide selection of lessons complete with lesson materials, activity sheets and teacher masters

Lesson Plan Continued Easy to follow, step by step lesson plans Designed for teachers who are not specialized in teaching languages

Activity Sheets and Teaching Materials Complete with Blackline Masters and Teacher Keys

Support for School Staff Using the ORC ORC Support Site ORC Listserv Links Contact

ORC Support Site Resource training materials - podcasts, videos, archived webinars, and guides Information about upcoming free ORC PD opportunities Information about province-wide resource trials and surveys Online booking system for ORC sessions Calendar of ORC events Links to ORC Twitter and Facebook accounts

ORC Listserv Weekly updates organized by E/J/S: New resources and features Province-wide trials Surveys Free PD opportunities No s during school breaks Membership benefits for every 50th person to join or visit the ORC Support Site to join

Links to Check Out ORC Support Site ORC Listserv ORC Facebook ORC

Contact For more information or to schedule a school presentation contact Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator Call ext: 229 OR