Kids InfoBits April 21, 2009
Posted by Katrina Gormley in MeL Database Review Series, Web Resource.Tags: MeL, Online Resources
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Kids InfoBits is designed for use by kids in Kindergarten – 6th grade. The database has eye catching colors and icons sure to grab young student’s attention.
The database’s homepage has 12 icons representing the 12 main categories into which information has been divided. Students can click on a main category to see a listing of subcategories. When they click on a subcategory, they get an even more specific listing to choose from. When they choose their final topic, they get a page that shows file folder type tabs across the top dividing the available information by format. Kids InfoBits has full text from reference books, magazines, newspapers, maps, flags & seals, charts and graphs, and images. Entries are coded for reading difficulty level although I don’t think most kids will pay much attention to this feature.
One very nice feature this database offers is the ability to have an article read to you. Great for very young students or students who struggle with reading.
The site also has a link to a dictionary and a “Teacher Toolbox” link which includes information on how to judge information, choose a topic, write a topic sentence, create an outline, cite a source, organize a report, and write a conclusion.
The site does offer a simple search box, and a button to take you to an advanced search screen, for those who wish to simply type in a topic vs. search for it through the subject-based topic tree. Using the topic tree can be helpful though for students who haven’t decided on a topic yet and can also help students understand how things are organized and grouped into categories.
This database covers animals, plants, people, geography, science & math, stories & literature, history & social studies, transportation, inventions & technology, health, arts & entertainment, and sports.
To use this database, visit our webpage (http://www.montabella.com) and choose the Media Center link in the Elementary drop down menu, once at the Media Center page, scroll down to the listing of databases where you will find the Kids InfoBits icon. OR you can visit http://mel.org, click on ”MeL Databases” and then click on the “Kids InfoBits” link. Please note that if you access this from home you will have to type in a MI driver’s license or state ID number.
This is a great tool for elementary students to use when doing reports!
~Happy Computing
Katrina
Learning Express Library March 24, 2009
Posted by Katrina Gormley in MeL Database Review Series, Useful Stuff, Web Resource.Tags: MeL, Online Resources
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The first resource I am going to cover in our series about the online databases available through MeL is Learning Express Library. Learning Express Library is for the general user. It offers interactive practice tests and tutorial courses in the following “Learning Centers”: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College Preparation, College Students, GED Preparation, Job Search and Workplace Skills, Jobs and Careers, Skill Building for Adults, and U.S. Citizenship.
The elementary through high school categories include math, reading, vocabulary, writing, spelling and grammar improvement practice activities. The college preparation category includes practice test for many major tests, including: ACT, SAT, PSAT/NMQST, and AP Prep. The Jobs and Careers area offers practice tests for many different careers which require a test for licensing such as: civil service, cosmetology, emergency medical services, firefighter, law enforcement, military, nursing and allied health, real estate, and teaching.
Users get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of their results.
To begin, visit our webpage (http://www.montabella.com/MEDIA_PAGES/hs_media_main.htm) OR visit http://mel.org, click on ”MeL Databases” and then click on the “LearningExpress Library” link. Please note that if you access this from home you will have to type in a MI driver’s license or state ID number, Users do have to sign up for a free account in order to take the tests. This allows you to keep track of tests you have taken, and to stop a test and pick it up at a later date.
~Happy Computing,
Katrina
MeL – Michigan Electronic Library March 18, 2009
Posted by Katrina Gormley in Useful Stuff, Web Resource.Tags: Online Resources
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What is MeL?? MeL is short for “Michigan eLibrary” (http://mel.org). It provides all Michigan residents with free access to online full-text articles, full-text books, digital images, and other research information at any time on the Internet. Databases are available for kids, adults, and on specialized topics such as car repair, practice tests and art images. It also provides an easy-to-use interlibrary loan system allowing Michigan residents to borrow books and other library materials for free from participating Michigan libraries.
MeL has recently unveiled a new resource — MORE: Michigan Online Resources for Educators, which allows teachers and parents to find lesson plans and curriculum aids searchable by subject and aligned to state standards.
“MeL is a project of the Library of Michigan, an agency of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. The Library of Michigan contracts with the Michigan Library Consortium and partners with a number of Michigan organizations and institutions to provide the MeL service.” (From MeL website)
For the next couple of months the Technology Tidbits posts will be focusing on the different databases available through MeL. I will be “introducing” a different MeL database in each post — explaining what kinds of information can be found in each database and some of the different search features offered in each particular database.
~Happy Computing,
Katrina
