Post 15-Thing 16, Using MNLink/MINITEX Document Delivery Service

MEDD is basically a service offered by MINITEX whereby documents are delivered to you electronically, free of charge. All you need to do is create an account for your school or classroom. Articles can be viewed, downloaded or printed, though there are copyright restrictions. See http://www.minitex.umn.edu/docdel/medd/

Many of the private and suburban high schools use MEDD and I continue to be surprised that no one in SPPS has made use of it. I encourage you to check it out. We are here to facilitate if you want to give it a whirl.

Leslie

Post 14- Me in action, posting a photo on my blog

OK, I tried this weeks ago and kept getting errors. When I went and read the help Q & A, it looked like it might be an issue with Blogger, but I have not made it back to try again. Here goes... Whoa Nellie! It worked! I actually was able to post a photo. Now maybe I'll go choose some more and then have a lovely illustrated personal blog like Lindsay! Here I go...

Post 13- One New Thing, Social Bookmarking

I am an avid reader of professional literature and publications, so tend to know more in theory about various tech innovations and tools i than I can actually DO. Sometimes this creates and uncomfortable disconnect. Today while reading the latest online issue of TechLEARNING News, I came across an article called Social Bookmarking in Plain English that not only explained social bookmarking to me, but introduced me to a very cool online resource Common Craft that I know I'll use again. Common Craft does the following: (Text from their website.)
Our product is explanation.

We use a simple format and real-world stories to make sense of complex ideas.

We're interpreters. We present your products and services in plain English using short, unique and understandable videos in a format we call Paperworks.

Essentially, they use very simple, very low tech screencasts to explain tech concepts in a down-to-earth manner. It certainly worked for me and was also entertaining. I now feel like I know what the del.icio.us reference on websites means and also think I 'll further investigate social bookmarking and well as promote it to the teachers I work with. More on this when I have actually tries it out.

Leslie

Post 11- SPPS Online Resources- A Brief Overview

The following is a copy of the notes (edited and revised somewhat) that I created while listening to the group presentations during the November MILP meeting on SPPS Online Resources. While it is not a complete list, it will provide you with an overview of some of the resources. See Post 11 for an overview of resources not mentioned here.

Leslie

ABC-CLIO
• Social- studies & literature
• Google-like searching
• Returns in categories
• Ranked results
• Images
• Includes encyclopedias, essays, reference
• Topic exploration section with activities and quizzes
• Citation button in multiple formats within articles
• Staff section sppsforstaff sppsfor staff0708
o Aligned with textbooks
o Test creator

EBSCO-
• Similar to Gale but higher level
• Various databases, can translate articles
• Help section & tutorials
• Can narrow down topics, creates concept maps
• Visual searches
• Many are abstract only, so you must obtain article elsewhere.
Use MEDD at MINETEX to get full text

Ethnic Newswatch-
• 280 publications
• Resources in 18 languages
• Can limit search by date
• Ethnic group pull-down menu

Gale Databases-

Multiple access points for varying levels-
Student Edition
• Multilingual
• Newpapers, periodical and reference
• Related topics
• RSS feed
• Article email

Discovering Collection
• Topical search
• Sort by date, relevance, etc

Grolier
• 7 encyclopedias
• What happened today in history? (Birthdate activity)
• 10 minute tutorial (read or video)
• “For educators” section aligned with state standards
• Uses Boolean for search

Proquest
• Newspapers, periodicals
• Excellent science info



SIRS Researcher
• Issue based
• Topic trees
• Pro/Con approach
• My analysis section with 5 step approach
• Excellent search features

United Streaming
• See training in Atomic Learning for this library of digital video clips, images, quizzes and teacher support materials

Post 9- Thing 5, Teacher Web Pages

Five years ago, when I began this position, the idea of a web page was as foreign to me as a trip to the moon- and that year, when I created my first page and put it up, it was amazing to me- that I had my own little piece of the pie out on the web. The wow factor, while cool, does not get the job done. But teacher web pages do. I continue to be amazed at what an efficient and effective an Urban Planet page can be at getting information to end users and in supporting instruction. If back in the classroom, it is one resource I know I would make good use of, as it has a very high return for the time needed to create a page.

The issue as always, is time. Time to learn how to create a page and the time to maintain it once it is created. What I have seen with this is that if you wait for it to happen, it likely won't on it' s own. You need to 1.) Schedule time and 2.) Use your resources. Take advantage of your colleagues and others who have more experience with Urban Planet than you and ask for help when you need it. Or, take a class. However you get there, give this resource a try!

Post 8- Thing 4, Know Your Public Library

On a personal level, I have been a public library user from the beginning of time (my time that is). As a child, I'd go as often as possible, check out the maximum limit of books, and then try to read them all in one night. When I first moved to St. Paul, many moons ago, I lived in low-income housing and depended on the public library to keep me in reading material.

These days, I am still a loyal patron, but tend to check out audio books which I listen to in my car. Though I still check out print materials for leisure or informational reading, I am more likely to look for the titles I need at used bookstores and buy them, so as not to have to worry about fines. The available time for reading just isn't there like it used to be, and it can take me much longer to finish reading a book. The SPPL card is good at the Ramsey County Library which is very nice, especially since sometimes there just isn't anything new or interesting in audio books at the St. Paul Branches.

Professionally, I am amazed at what a wonderful resource the local public library is. With very few exceptions, I have found the library staff to be accommodating and supportive. Several years back, when we wanted to make sure that all the 9th graders at HPSH had library cards,
Marcus from the Highland branch traveled to the school weekly for six weeks to cover all of the advisories. In addition to presenting a sales pitch regarding library services, he also forgave hundreds of dollars of student fines in the interest of getting the kids back to the libraries.

The reference desks have also come to my aid and helped out with student queries on numerous occasions. It's fun to have folks who know and like information available to help!
Lastly, I have used the local libraries when materials were needed for class projects, and found the service to be superb! Requests were done by phone and materials were mailed to me. You can't beat that! For those who have not used the local public library for school related projects,
don't wait- call them now!

Leslie