Teaching Math and Science with the Online Reference Centre Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator Oilfields School October 23, 2015

What is the ORC? A $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, 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 curricular correlations, ability to search curricular outcomes 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.ca LearnAlberta.ca Select English or 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 a remote username/password Foothills Username: Password: Share your district username/password (low tech methods) for your remote username/password

Questions?

Tips for Using this Booklet Look for the Symbol This symbol means that the resource is ideal for Science instruction. This symbol means that the resource is ideal for Math instruction. Both symbols means the resources can support both Math and Science.

Science In Context Featured videos, news, and stories on homepage Customizable read-aloud feature, articles available to download to MP3 Text Translation to 13 languages Highlight and take notes within the article, save to a folder without an account Embedded citation tools (MLA 7th Edition or APA 6th Edition) Links to “Related Subjects” to support shallow searchers Share/permalink any page using the “Bookmark” tab right side of the search bar at the top Advanced search allows for Boolean, and content selection (Advanced/Intermediate/Basic) Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Science curriculum - embedded links to the article included

Teen Health and Wellness Straightforward discussion of all teen health and wellness topics with links to the Alberta science and CALM curricula Customizable listen feature and text translation Sectioned articles with links to related articles for shallow searchers Embedded citations (MLA, APA, Chicago) Many interactive features that allow students to interact and contribute: Student polls on current topics Share personal stories and read stories from other teens Create and submit videos on various health and wellness topics Submit questions to Dr. jan and receive answers back Alberta/Canada specific hotlines Current In the news tops change frequently

Canada In Context Canadian Content not only for Social Studies but also Science (i.e. Alberta Oil Sands) Featured videos, news, and stories on homepage Customizable read-aloud feature, articles available to download to MP3 Text Translation to 13 languages Highlight and take notes within the article, save to a folder without an account Embedded citation tools (MLA 7th Edition or APA 6th Edition) Links to “Related Subjects” to support shallow searchers Share/permalink any page using the “Bookmark” tab right side of the search bar at the top Advanced search allows for Boolean, and content selection (Advanced/Intermediate/Basic) Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Social Studies, ELA and Science curricula - embedded links to the article included

Explora New Interface for EBSCO Will be added to the ORC collection in September 2015 Filters content from 3 databases into 1 allowing for federated simultaneous searching More aesthetically pleasing and functional Aligns with youth search trends

Advanced Placement Source Ideal support for IB/AP/-30 students Change the language of interface at the top right hand side of the screen to allow for searching and reading in other languages Text translation to 32 different languages Customizable listen feature available for articles available in HTML format, MP3 downloads also available Embedded citation tools (ABNT, AMA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA, Vancouver) SmartText searching to find similar articles along the left-hand side Create notes within article and save to personal folder for access from anywhere Create an RSS feed for a search to continue to track new information Share/permalink any article using the “permalink” feature along the right-hand side of the screen Some academic journals available in original French and Spanish

Learn Alberta Resources Explore Learning Gizmo

Access through the LearnAlberta.ca website LearnAlberta.ca “Find Resources” search Gizmo or Math/Science Concept For Students: explanatory video on concept, and assessment questions For Teachers in “Lesson Info” at the top right-hand corner Description Teacher Guide (PDF or customizable word) Vocabulary Sheet (PDF or customizable word) Student Exploration (PDF or customizable word)

Resource Trials Curriculum Video Britannica School

Curriculum Video Available on the ORC webpage from October 2015-January 2016 Access over full length curriculum support videos Full interactive transcripts for all content with Google translate Create your own playlists using segments of videos Ability to link Permalinks/Persistent URLs to allow easy access to content Sneak Peek Information: Username: research1 Password: research101

Britannica School Available on the ORC webpage from October 2015-January 2016 Easy to use multidisciplinary database Access a wealth of content in 3 different reading levels including biographies, primary sources and E-Books Features include: read aloud, interlinked related images, videos, and articles Includes a Canada In Focus sections with current and relevant information specific to Canadian learners Sneak Peek Information: Username: learnalberta Password: albertaschools

Support for School Staff Using the ORC ORC Support Site ORC Listserv LinksContact

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 Event 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 today

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