Incorporating Databases into the Curriculum

1. Incorporating Databases into the Curriculum The MLC Experience Ainsley Bakitch 16th March 2006

2. Why we use online databases • Provide access to reliable sources of information • Provide access to many more titles than we can afford or physically house • Provide access to a collection that is available 24/7 • Prepare students for future study • Cater for different learning styles • For more information on the reasons for using databases see the article at: • http://www.apea.asn.au/~aiswaweb/onlinedases.pdf

3. The databases we subscribe to • Australia / New Zealand Reference Centre • Indexes our print collection of journals • Large amount of Australian content • Provides full-text of many newspaper and magazine articles • Includes abstracts of articles • Extra bonuses • Recently started to include other resources as well eg one off publications like Australian Rainforest Animals • Now includes images, reference books and video (only small snippets though)

7. The databases we subscribe to • eLibrary Australasia • Everything is full-text • Provides full-text of many newspaper and magazine articles (some of which are not in ANZRC) • Bonuses • Includes maps, pictures, audio and video • Full-text of other popular books eg DK series

9. The databases we subscribe to • MacquarieNet • Australian content eg Explore Australia • AAP News (original reason) • Reputable reference materials • Macquarie Dictionary • Macquarie Thesaurus

11. The databases we subscribe to • The New Book of Popular Science (Grolier) • Successful use of print text previously for lower school science • Print version was a standard reference text you would normally have for lower school. • Space issue

13. The databases we subscribe to • Lands and People (Grolier) • Heavy demand in lower school about countries, environment and indigenous peoples • Already have print information but this provides another way of presenting the same information • Access

15. The databases we subscribe to • The Source (Magpies) • Reviews of children’s literature for TL either as selection tool or refresher for promotion • Advice on reading levels • Very high Australian content • Searches poetry and short stories

17. The databases we subscribe to • Britannica Online • Provides an alternative to World Book • Provides 3 levels of access depending on students ability and age • Additional material: journal articles supplied by EBSCO host, websites and multimedia items

19. The databases we subscribe to • World Book Online Reference Centre • More up to date • More powerful than the print version • Brand recognition for many students and their parents • Additional material: atlas, dictionary, special reports and back in time articles

21. The databases we subscribe to • ClickView • Solution to capturing video material with the demise of VHS • Provides teachers with a range of resources from their desk • Also provides others with access to materials outside of their subject area • Students not able to borrow video material – owned by departments • Videos can no longer be lost

23. The databases we subscribe to • WebsterWorld • Australian content • Includes content from Webster CDs • Access to other material eg Works of Shakespeare • Multimedia

26. Application of the databases at MLC • Yr 11 and 12 History • Current history teacher expects girls to use accurate and authoritative sources of information • Most recent assignment topic: ‘America in the 1920s’ • Databases good for American content • Current teacher likes to use the journal ‘History Today’ – full-text on ANZRC

28. Application of the databases at MLC • Yr 11 Human Biology • Assignment: Scientific Investigations • 1st part conduct a literature review • Teachers expect accurate and authoritative sources of information • Focus is on the peer reviewed journals provided in both ANZRC and eLibrary

29. Application of the databases at MLC • Yr 9 Society & Environment • Previous years participated in Asia Wise Competition • Series of multiple choice questions • Some based on resources provided in booklet eg maps, newspaper articles • Others require basic reference materials • Encyclopaedias particularly effective because of the way they search

30. Application of the databases at MLC • Yr 12 English CoS – Unit 2A • Process and strategies • Accessing and generating ideas and information • Processing and organising ideas and information • Reflection and evaluation • Found within each strand eg • Listening and speaking • Viewing • Reading • Writing

31. Application of the databases at MLC • Assessment types for English • Taken from page 37 of CoS

32. Application of the databases at MLC • Lower School Students • Hotlists • Pathfinders • Provide links directly to the articles • Year 8 Killiecrankie assignment pathfinder

33. Uses for staff • Professional Reading • Been our main focus • Available through our intranet

34. The Future for MLC • Would like to catalogue the individual resources from the databases eg those provided in ANZRC etc • Also make notes in catalogue records for items from MacquarieNet • Ultimate aim to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for information

35. References • ‘English course of study’, Western Australian Certificate of Education [online], (2005), Retrieved 16 March, 2006, from http://newwace.curriculum.wa.edu.au/docs/COS_docs/139652_2.pdf