1. The Online Reference Centre as it relates to the Learning Commons
Bethany Arsenault, ORC Coordinator
2017/2018

2. Q: What is a Learning Commons?
Prepares students to “become critical thinkers, evaluators, users, and creators of information and knowledge.”
Access to traditional forms of knowledge like books, periodicals and print information
Access to media and devices
Inclusive shared learning space utilized as needed by students, parents, teachers, administrator and the community at large
Emphasizes active and collaborative engagement in the school, local and global communities
Promotes the efficient use of technology, provides access to a Virtual Learning Commons
Enables 24/7 access to knowledge/resources and shared collaborative spaces
Improves student achievement and literacy development through access to school library services
*taken from Alberta Education’s Learning Commons/School Libraries webpage

3. https://www. pinterest

5. Q: What is the ORC?
A $1.4 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

6. Q: How can the ORC help?
Provides 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 users become 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

7. If you give people literacy, bad ideas can be attacked and experiments tried, and lesson will accumulate. Steven Pinker

8. Q: What’s in it for Librarians?
Direct curricular correlations and the ability to search curricular outcomes
Curriculum mapping for:
Elementary Science (will be updated in 2016/2017)
Elementary Social Studies (will be updated in 2016/2017)
Secondary Science and Social Studies 10 (grade 11/12 completed in 2016/2017)
Support for creating learning commons programming
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 content including website to supplement print collections
Ability to create permalinks that can be posted on a website/moodle/blog or sent in an blast

9. Q: How do I access the ORC?
Go the 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 district username and password
LA___________ (username) ______________ (password)
Share your district username and password using low tech methods - do not post on an open website
for your remote username/password

10. Questions?

11. Sharing ORC Content Quickly and Easily
Permalinks
QR Codes

12. Permalinks Q: What are permalink/bookmark or persistent URL?
A static, unchanging URL that takes the user to a specific article/webpage
Users can open password protected articles/webpages without authenticating (entering a username/password)
Q: What other names are used for permalink?
Bookmark, Persistent URL, Hyperlink
Q: Can I post a permalink on a public webpage?
Yes, using a permalink generated by the database implies consent to post on a public webpage
Q: Can I use a permalink to create a QR code?
Yes, permalinks can be:
Used to create QR codes
Posted on a webpage for your library/school/classroom
Posted in a classroom management system like moodle ed

13. What ORC Resources Provide Permalinks?
“In Context” Series (Canada, Global Issues, Science, and World History, Academic One File, Literature Resource Center)
Referred to as “bookmark”
National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
PowerKnowledge Suite (Earth & Space, Life Science and Physical Science)
Requires instruction sheet, not embedded in interface
TeachingBooks.net
Teen Health and Wellness
World Book: Early World of Learning
URL at the top of the browser will act as a permalink **only in the World Book databases

14. QR Codes Q: What is a QR Code?
QR is an abbreviation of Quick Response - a Quick Response Code
Q: What are the different uses for QRs?
Type of bar-code
Directs users/customers quickly and easily to a website, , text, phone number, etc.
Q: How does it work?
Users scan the OR code with a smartphone, iPad or tablet using a QR reader app
Once scanned it automatically opens the linked content on your device
Q: How do I create a QR code?
There are a large array of free QR generators online - some create colourful QRs, others allow your logo or an image to be created into a QR code - select one that works for you
Use a permalink from one of the ORC databases as the URL for the QR code

15. Using QR Codes in your Library Learning Commons
QR a book trailer and tape the QR code in the top right-hand corner of the book
QR the link to an article about an author(s) you are highlighting
Create online book clubs and offer the choices on a bulletin board in the learning commons using QR codes
Highlight some content for Remembrance Day/Read In Week/Earth Day using a QR code
Provide a link to one of the ORC databases
Not sure how to create a QR code? Learn how here…

16. “How to Make a QR Code in 4 Quick Steps”
Written by Corey Wainwright
February 10, 2015

17. Links to Check Out ORC Support Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
ORC Listserv
ORC Facebook
ORC Twitter
ORC YouTube