+ The Use of Databases in the Instructional Program Increasing Rigor and Inquiry Throughout the Curriculum Donna Dick, Jacob Gerding, and Michelle Phillips

+ In-Service Objective Participants will utilize the SIRS database in order to find and evaluate resources related to their curriculum.

+ Warm-Up What kinds of resources should students be using for research and how do they compare to what they are currently using?

+ What search engines or websites do you use when you do research? Do these look familiar?

+ Databases…..hmmmmm THE BASIC DEFINITION OF A LIBRARY DATABASE: is an electronic catalog or index, often containing information about published items, and is searchable.

+ Why use Databases? 1) Trustworthy 2) Sourced 3) Editorially and Scholarly reviewed Databases are vetted, quality sources of information.

+ TYPES OF MATERIAL FOUND USING LIBRARY DATABASES ARE:  Articles from Journals and Magazines  Electronic Books  Newspapers  Images  Reference Sources

+ Databases vs. Open Web SIRS Content Tools for Students & Teachers for 21 st Century Teaching and Learning Google and Web Surfing for Content and tools for Inquiry-Based Learning  Why do so many teachers and students rely on Google and other Internet surfing when their ProQuest Library digital solutions are custom designed to support K-12 teaching and learning?  Do professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers Google for information to service clients?  Don’t these professionals rely on CUSTOM databases and publications to keep them current, and help analyze and solve client problems? ¨Don’t they know that …..

+ Databases vs. Open Web 100% of SIRS teaching and learning resources are curriculum-relevant, standards-based, and provide access to a variety of editorially selected, copyrighted, publisher-quality media types. Teachers can access a variety of free SIRS-specific inquiry- based learning activities that integrate 21 st Century Skills and critical thinking. Less than 10% of Google is k- 12 curriculum-relevant, and limited to websites; most are consumer oriented, distracting to students, and many are from sources that are questionable or even inappropriate. Google can access lesson plan websites, but busy teachers will have to do the necessary selection, adaptation, and correlation to state standards. SIRS DatabaseOpen Web

+ Let’s Explore SIRS Everyone should go to this website: portal-display?id=SMD http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst- portal-display?id=SMD Click on “SIRS Discoverer” SIRS Databases The SIRS Knowledge Source Databases, including SIRS Researcher, SIRS Government Reporter, and SIRS Renaissance, feature significant information covering topics of general reference, social issues, health, science, business, directories, almanacs, leading issues, historic and government documents, and current perspectives (pros and cons)

+ SIRS Top 10’ When the SIRS search screen displays, you may choose between a Quick Search or Advanced Search. You may also choose one of the Top Ten Pro vs. Con Leading Issues. If you do not know your topic or you do not see a top 10 that interests you, below click on the link that says more issues

+ SIRS – More issues or topics More Issues leads you to a wide list of research topics Click on the SIRS link to go back to the home page

+ SIRS – Leading Issues The page that opens describes the Leading Issue near the top. The Results List below contains articles from various sources, including Newspapers, Magazines, Gov't Docs, Primary Sources, Viewpoints, Reference, Graphics, and Web Select Sites. To limit your results to one of these sources, click on the Source name in the box. In the box next to arrow see the Various sources available

+ Let’s Explore SIRS Now that you are in and we have viewed the basics, you may take the opportunity to do a search for the topic you selected before you came in, find an article, and complete the “Source Evaluation Worksheet”. Please do not hesitate to ask if there are any questions or concerns. If this is a tool you would like to explore with students, please set up a time to meet with media staff for assistance. SIRS also has an “Educators Resource” page to help teachers, providing maps, e-books, and government documents.

+ We Appreciate Your Time and Effort… Thank you for attending the in-service today; we hope you found it useful! Please give us your “Source Evaluation Worksheet” on the way out. Check your when you go back to your classrooms for a Survey Monkey survey about this in-service and a copy of the “Source Evaluation Worksheet” that you can use with your class. REMEMBER, WE ARE HERE TO HELP PROMOTE LEARNING!!!

+ Standards Alignment Common Core State Standards: CC.9-10.R.I.8 Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning. CC9-10RS/TS8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claim or a recommendation for solving a scientific or technical problem CC9-10RH/SS8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claims. AASL Standards: 1.1.4Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer questions Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity, appropriateness to needs, importance, and social and cultural context. Maryland SLM Standards: Independently and collaboratively evaluate and analyze recorded data/information to meet the information need.

+ Works Cited ProQuest. Educators Resource Web. SIRS Issue Researcher. Web. 17 Jan 2013.