1. The Public Library and the Online Reference Centre
Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator
Edmonton Public Library Training
January 13, 2016

2. Q: 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*
A: Funded by a yearly Grant-In-Aid from Alberta Education to the Alberta Library (TAL)
*for the purposes of supporting K-12 patrons

3. Q: Why These Resources? A: ORC Resources:
Provide authoritative, age appropriate, engaging, 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

4. Q: What’s in it for Librarians?
A: Direct curriculum correlations that support learning
A: Curriculum mapping for:
Elementary Science
Elementary Social (under completion)
Secondary Social and Science mapping in the works
A: Support for diverse learners
A: Access to journals like Walrus, National Geographic, School Library Journal, Men’s Health, and MacLean’s (RSS feeds can be set up)
A: Consistent and explicit update schedules
A: Access to vetted websites
A: Ability to create permalinks that can be posted on a website, blog page or sent in an blast

5. Q: How do You 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
Share your district username and password using low tech methods - do not post on an open website
for your remote username/password

6. Questions?

7. Promoting and Supporting Literacy
Early World of Learning *NEW*
National Geographic Kids Virtual Library *NEW*
BookFLIX
TrueFLIX
TeachingBooks.net
Explora - EBSCO Resources
Visual Thesaurus

8. Early World of Learning
Recommended for students in K-2
Designed for very young learners emergent readers with human voice read aloud embedded throughout
Includes stories, pictures, videos, songs and activities build literacy skills
Strong support for developing early literacy skills
Related content to Science and Social Studies curricula
Fun and interactive, works well on iPad or tablet
Early World of Learning
Top Right-Hand side of the screen
Read:
Trek’s Travels - stories about what Trek learns on his adventures. Each story includes human voice read aloud, auto play or user controlled play, related game, videos and pictures
Welcome to Reading - Additional Trek Books that are levelled from A -D. Books include all additional features (game, videos, etc.)
Know It- Explore Animals Homes, Animal Safari, Creepy Crawlies, Sea Animals, Me, Myself and I, People at Work, Plants, Rainforest Animals, Dinos, Vroom Vroom, and Weather. Each section include related pictures and videos
Play:
Put the Story in Order (ordering the story - first, second, third, and fourth events)
Concentration (digital concentration game, flip the cards to find matches)
Multiple Choice (Fill in the missing word in the sentence)
Sorting (long vowels, short vowels, middle sounds, final sounds, etc.)
Watch:
Sports and Hobbies (yoga, step aerobics, juggling, etc.)
People (police officers, teacher, firefighters, garbage truck)
Animals (numerous animal videos to choose from)
Getting Around (cars, busses, planes, etc)
Machines (backhoes, snowblowers, Tractors, etc.)
Big Ideas (shapes, colors, sizes, sounds, etc.)
Plants (plants growing, starting a garden, etc.)
Health (doctors, vaccines, senses, etc.)
Earth (seasons, weather, etc.)
Print and Do:
Blackline Masters available to print. Include colour the number activities.
Topics include: colors, numbers, letters, locations, matching, sets, shapes, sizes and time
Bottom Right-hand side of the Screen
Click on the Frog with the fly to access additional resources
Story Corner - Variety of classic stories read aloud
Nursery Rhymes - Variety of Classic nursery rhymes
Songs - Classics like Baa, Baa and Eensy, Weensy Spider

9. National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
Recommended for students in K-6
Authoritative nonfiction content that supports nonfiction reading skills, Social Studies and Science curricula
Award-winning maps and photos
200 National Geographic Kids Books
500 Kid-friendly downloadable images
National Geographic Kids Magazines (2009-Present, 3 month embargo)
Include listen feature

10. BookFLIX Recommended for K-3 students
118 fiction and nonfiction book pairs (236 books total) organized into themes
Pairing fiction with related nonfiction increases student comprehension when reading both formats
Search titles by guided reading level, author, grade level, theme, Fountas and Pinnell guided reading level, etc.
Lesson plans provided for each pair
Real voice audio support embedded throughout resources to allow emergent readers to navigate the resource independently
Between 1-3 follow up “puzzlers” for each pair

11. TrueFLIX Sister resource to BookFLIX designed for grades 3-6
Nonfiction content divided into 2 broad themes with 3-5 sub themes
Support for resistant readers, Science and Social Studies curricula
Each eBook includes an introductory video to help build background knowledge of topic and improve students comprehension
Human voice read along feature to support emergent/struggling readers
Interactive table of contents for each eBook, in addition to a glossary and index
Essential inquiry questions and project ideas from every eBook

12. TeachingBooks.net
A wealth of support materials to teach and promote books in your school (book trailers, author interviews and read ins, author audio name pronunciation, book guides and lesson plans)
Share/permalink any page using the “ ” “Permalink” “QR Flyer” or “Share this Page” features
Access Alberta specific booklists:
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Award (YRCA)
ELA Authorized Novel and Nonfiction Reading List for grades 4-12
Meet-the-Author book readings in English and French
Canadian Book Award Winners/Canadian Book and Author Resources
Create and/or request a personalized booklist

13. Explora Recommended for students in grades 7-12
New interface for all three EBSCO resources - Advanced Placement Source, Canadian Reference Centre and Literary Reference Centre
Customizable Read-Aloud feature, text translation, Smart-Text searching, build-in citations
Ability to create permalinks for webpage/blog or blast
Layout aligns better with youth searching trends

14. Literary Reference Centre
Recommended for at reading level students in grades 7-12
Homepage includes full text classics, citation help, research guides, featured work, author and content, etc.
Customizable listen feature available for articles available in HTML format, MP3 downloads also available
SmartText searching to find similar articles along the left-hand side
Create notes within article and save to a personal folder for access from anywhere
Create an RSS feed for a search to continue to track new information
Share/permalink any aricle using the “Permalink” feature along the right-hand side of the screen
Search for professional “Publications” to stay up-to-date

15. Advanced Placement Source
Ideal support for IB/AP/-30 high school student
Change the language of interface at the top right hand side of the screen
Text translation for 32 different languages
Customizable listen feature available for articles in HTML format, MP3 downloads also available
Embedded citation tools (ABNT, AMA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA, Vancouver)
SmartText searching to find similar articles along the left-hand side
Create notes within articles 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” features long the right=hand side of the screen
Some academic journals in original French and Spanish

16. Canadian Reference Centre
Recommended for students in grades 7-12
Change the language of the interface at the top right-hand side of the screen
Text translation to 32 different languages
Customizable listen feature available for articles 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 right-hand side
Create notes within articles and save to a personal folder for access from anywhere
Create RSS feed for a search to continue to track new information
Share/permalink any articles using the “Permalink” feature along the right-hand side of the screen
Search for professional “publications” including Canadian Libraries, School Library Journal, Walrus and subscribe to RSS feeds
Canadian Reference Centre
Homepage:
Along top blue bar of the screen on the left hand side search for publications
great for teachers since there is a large collection of journals included with back issues
Can sign up for RSS feeds for different publications
Along the top blue bar on the right hand side change the interface language
Just below the search box there are a variety of options for searching
Advanced search allows you to select date ranges, etc.
Visual Search provides the information in relevancy boxes for a more visual search result
4) Just above the search box you can “choose the database” to allow searching in just APS as well as CRC and CPV
Searching:
Once a search is executed, you can see along the left hand side of the screen all of the different kinds of sources available, including peer reviewed
Within the Articles:
Periodical and Reference articles will have:
Customizable read aloud feature – allows you to select accent, and when you click on the cog you can select rate of speed and word/sentence highlighting options
Text translation available for 32 languages
Right hand side provides tools like cite (many formats options), export, save, etc.
Along the right hand side it provides permalinks – this is important for sharing the article on eTeacher page or teacher website
With An Account:
Add an article to your folder
Take notes within an article and save the notes
Canadian Reference Centre Student Research Centre
Search by topic along the left hand side of the screen - wide array of topics including math which is unusual
Limit your search right on the homepage
Top searches for all CRC Student Research Centre users just below the topic listing
Along the top of the search box you can change the kind of search you perform
Very top right hand side of the screen change the interface language
Does not have built in listen and text translation features

17. Visual Thesaurus
Recommended for students in grades 3-12
6 languages including English, French, Spanish, and German
Correct word pronunciation in human voice for every word
Images related to words with right click (images are google images and not vetted)
On the default setting for dictionary/thesaurus so some language may be inappropriate for younger learners
Word of the day/week/month - Use this for an LLC contest (see next slide)
Personalized word lists and spelling bees*
Vocabgrabber*
*With personal account
Creating an account a new feature – will not do today but have included steps
Homepage:
1) Word of the day, week or month sign up top right hand side
2) Featured word lists just below word of the day
3) General article top left hand side
4) Spelling Bee and Vocabgrabber found in the centre of the homepage
Educators tab along the top grey links bar
1) Educator article changes monthly, found in top left hand side of Educators page
2) Search lesson plans (be aware there is US Content)
3) PD videos found on the lower right hand side
1. Great for introducing resource to staff members
2. Great for reminding yourself how to do something
3. Instructions for creating word lists/spelling bees included 4) Spelling Bee and Vaocabgrabber found in the centre of the Educator’s pages
Search pleasant
Settings along the top in grey
Adjust for SMART Board
Identify word relationships to target
Add in other languages
2) Right click on any word to hear it pronounced or to pull up images
3) Words sorted by verbs, adjectives, etc. (along the right hand side of the screen)
1. Can turn on/off verbs, adverbs, etc.
2. Coloured circles for each of the words tells you what kind of word
3. Can focus on a specific definition (found along the right hand side)
4. Click on a word to find words related to that specific word
4) Can browse history (top left side of the screen)
5) Print/Share options along the top of the screen

18. Resources to Support Science
PebbleGO Science *NEW*
PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science
PowerKnowledge Life Science
PowerKnowledge Physical Science
Science In Context

19. PebbleGO Science Recommended for students in K-2
Large text with more white space between lines for emergent readers
Easy navigation, levelled text, visual searching all designed for beginning researchers
Human voice read aloud with text highlighting, photos, videos, audio clips to enhance learning and engage learners
Articles segmented into brief sections with tab navigation at the top of the screen

20. PowerKnowledge Suite Recommended for grades 1-6
Content divided into 3 databases: Earth & Space, Life Science and Physical Science
Includes a customizable read aloud feature
Short, segmented articles with introductory videos to build background knowledge
Embedded science experiments, projects, and educational games related to the content of the database
Aligns with 95% of the grade 3-6 science curriculum and 87% of the grade 1-6 science curriculum

21. PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Seasonal Changes
Grade 2 Exploring Liquids
Grade 3 Rocks and Minerals
Grade 4 Light and Shadows & Waste and Our World
Grade 5 Weather Watch, Wetland Ecosystems & Social Studies Mapping
Grade 6 Sky Science

22. PowerKnowledge Life Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Needs of Animals and Plants
Grade 2 Small Crawling and Flying Animals
Grade 3 Animal Life Cycles & Hearing and Sound
Grade 4 Plant Growth and Changes & Waste and Our World
Grade 5 Wetland Ecosystems
Grade 6 Trees and Forests

23. PowerKnowledge Physical Science
Science Units Supported:
Grade 1 Needs of Animals and Plants
Grade 2 Hot and Cold Temperature & Magnetism
Grade 4 Wheels and Levers
Grade 5 Electricity and Magnetism & Classroom Chemistry
Grade 6 Trees and Forests

24. Science In Context Recommended for students in grades 6-12
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 on the right-hand side of the search bar
Advanced search allow for Boolean and content election (Advanced/Intermediate/Basic)
Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Science curriculum - embedded links to the articles included

25. Social Studies PebbleGO Social Studies *NEW* Culturegrams
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Canada In Context
Global Issues In Context
World History In Context

26. PebbleGO Social Studies
Recommended for students in K-2
Large text with more white space between lines for emergent readers
Easy navigation, levelled text, visual searching all designed for beginning researchers
Human voice read aloud with text highlighting, photos, videos, audio clips to enhance learning and engage learners
Articles segmented into brief sections with tab navigation at the top of the screen

27. Culturegrams New interface for 2015/2016
Kids Edition - excellent support for grade 3 Social Studies
World Edition - excellent support for grades Social Studies
Provinces Edition - supports grades 2-7 and 9 Social Studies
Updated every 6 months and written/reviewed by in-country consultants
Features included: customizable read-aloud, photo gallery, slideshows, videos, famous people, and cultural recipes
Tools included: build-your-own graphs and tables, pre-generated graphs and tables, distance calculate, and currency converter

28. The Canadian Encyclopedia
Excellent support for the grades 4-7 and 9-12 Social Studies curricula
Change from English to French at the top of the right-hand corner of every page
New updated interface - much more aesthetic and functional
View personal accounts from veterans, view videos, digital exhibits, immigrations stories, and Canadian content
Articles include publication date, editor and edit date, increasing credibility

29. Canada In Context
Recommended for students in grades 6-12
Canadian content not only for Social Studies but also for 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 on the right-hand side of the search bar
Advanced search allow for Boolean and content election (Advanced/Intermediate/Basic)
Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Social Studies, ELA, and Science curriculum - embedded links to the articles included
1. In the "Advanced Search" directly under the search bar, you can perform Boolean searches, select content type, limit by dates and document types. However, you can also select the level of content - basic, intermediate or advanced. This can be very helpful when you are searching for the same content for different reading abilities.   2. You can search for specific learners outcomes from the Alberta curriculum in the "Curriculum Standards" tab along the top grey links bar? Curriculum alignments are available for grades You can access short tutorials for uses these resources in the "Resources" link beside the "Curriculum Standards" along the top grey links bar.
4. There are many features within every article to support diverse learners. To access these features start with the toolbar along the right-hand side of the screen. The "Bookmark" feature provide a permalink to the article. When you share this link via or on your website it allows visitors to open the link without authenticating.
All articles can be downloaded to HTML or PDF
You can share all articles using 284 services including, but not limited to Twitter, Delicious, Google, and LinkedIn.
The citation tools provide MLA 7th Edition or APA citations that can be exported directly into 3rd party software like Endnote, ProCite, Reference Manager or RefWorks. However, your school does not have to subscribe to citation software to benefit from the citation tools. You can simple download the citation and copy/paste it into your works cited page.
ing and printing options are also available for every article.
The dictionary option allows you to search the dictionary. Users can hear the definition read to them since there is a read-aloud feature included in the dictionary.
Lastly, all articles can be translated into 13 different languages including, but not limited to French, Arabic, Spanish, and German. 
5. The other feature in every article that is often overlooked is the "Listen" feature. The listen feature is customizable, and clicking on the image of the cog allows users to select text highlighting options, word colour, sentence colour, rate of reading speed, etc. These databases also allow users to download the articles to an MP3 format by clicking on the down arrow beside the cog.

30. Global Issues In Context
Excellent support for the Grade Social Studies curriculum
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 on the right-hand side of the search bar
Advanced search allow for Boolean and content election (Advanced/Intermediate/Basic)
Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Social Studies and Science curriculum - embedded links to the articles included
Homepage:
Featured video and World News links on the right-hand side
Browse topics – provides a few key topics with a few articles within each
“Browse Topics” in the link bar at the top of the screen:
Provides links to all of the different topics organized alphabetically
Clearly identifies which topics have been recently updated or are newly added
Topic Page:
1)Information organized into Features, Reference, News, Statistics, etc.
2) Quick links for the topics can be found on the top right-hand side of the screen
3) Customize listen feature with highlighting and speed options (Click on listen and click on the cog)
4) Download to MP3 in the listen box – somewhat hidden
World Map:
Allows you to search the world map for a variety of predetermined topics
Enter your own search criteria and have results displayed on the World Map
Click on the pin in the location to access the related articles
Global Issues Blog:
Links to lessons plans, ideas for student collaboration
Most frequently blogged about countries are larger font along the right hand side like an embedded wordle
Access the blog archives along the right hand side
Sign up for an RSS feed to this blog
Research Tools:
Links to search tips, homework helpers and guides for getting started with research, etc.
Educator Resources:
Includes search tips, curriculum standards, lesson plan builder, research guides, etc.

31. World History In Context
Excellent support for Grade 8 Social Studies curriculum
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 on the right-hand side of the search bar
Advanced search allow for Boolean and content election (Advanced/Intermediate/Basic)
Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Social Studies curriculum - embedded links to the articles included

32. Support for ORC Users
ORC Support Site
ORC Listserv
Links
Contact

33. ORC Support Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
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 Events
Links to the ORC Twitter and Facebook accounts

34. ORC Listserv Weekly email 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

35. http: www.facebook.com/OnlineReferenceCentre
Links to Check Out
ORC Support Site
ORC Listserv
ORC Facebook
http:
ORC Twitter
@ORC_AB

36. Contact For more information or to schedule a presentation contact
Jamie Davis, ORC Co-ordinator
Call Ext. 229 OR