1. Diving Into the Online Reference Centre (ORC)
Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator
2015 Rural Libraries Conference
September 23, 2105

2. What is a Learning Commons?
Inclusive shared learning space - physical and virtual
Learner-centered
Emphasizes active and collaborative engagement
Promotes global and cultural understanding
Efficient use of technology
Enables 24/7 access to knowledge
Taken from Alberta Education’s Learning Commons/School Libraries webpage

3. Something Like….

4. But…. This is my collection This is my technology This is my budget
$0.00

5. With Learn Alberta’s Online Reference Centre!
“Even though the future seems far away, it is actually beginning right now.”
With Learn Alberta’s Online Reference Centre!
–Mattie Stepanek

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Questions?

11. Using QR Codes in your Library Learning Commons
Not sure how to create a QR code? Learn how here…
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

12. How to Make a QR Code in 4 Quick Steps

13. Promoting and Supporting Literacy
National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
BookFLIX
TrueFLIX
TeachingBooks.net
Explora - EBSCO Resources
Visual Thesaurus

14. National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
New to the collection for 2015/2016
Authoritative nonfiction content
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

15. LLC Idea - National Geographic Kids Virtual Library
Have National Geographic Kids running on iPads instead of print - better yet have both
Have a featured article on the LLC Smart board for library time - allow students to interact with the SMART board to learn more about their book selection
Use copy-right friendly images from this resource in LLC space
Direct students to this resource for copy-right friendly images for presentations
Direct students to this resource for additional content on inquiry topics

16. 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, 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

17. Ideas for Using BookFLIX in the LLC
Read Aloud Ideas
Highlight a book/author from your collection and have all of the related print resources on display following the reading
Turn volume on mute and have a karaoke read - divide students into two groups and each group reads different pages
Have no read along on and read it yourself using the beautiful large illustration to engage the students
Instruct students to look for a word or phrase during the reading and make a motion/sounds whenever it comes up
Load the book on the Smart Board and students can complete the puzzlers on the SMART board following the book reading
Pre-load some titles on iPads for use during library time

18. TrueFLIX Sister resource to BookFLIX designed for grades 3-6
Nonfiction content divided into 2 broad themes with 3-5 sub themes
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

19. Using TrueFLIX in the LLC
Wander with an iPad running TrueFLIX to help resistant readers make selection using the intro video
Find True Books in your print collection - pull them and highlight them for your readers
Direct students to TrueFLIX to supplement nonfiction content for inquiry projects
Run an introductory video related to their topic of study to promote nonfiction in general in your library

20. 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

21. How to use TeachingBooks.net to Create LLC Programming
Using the Permalink option, feature a Canadian author each month on your Learning Commons webpage (link print and virtual - create a related bulletin board with a QR code to the webpage)
Feature staff pick(s) each month and provide a permalink to the book’s TeachingBook.net page (s)
Create: custom reading lists for different grades, top student selections page, or create a librarians pick page in TeachingBooks.net and permalink the page to your LLC webpage - mimic this in the physical space
Support classroom novel studies and/or book clubs with the support materials in TeachingBooks.net
Create a LLC Virtual Book Club using content from TeachingBooks.net
Promote Rocky Mountain Book Award selection using the support materials in TeachingBooks.net (virtually on your webpage and in library print collection also)
Promote Young Readers Choice Award selection using the support materials in TeachingBooks.net (virtually on your webpage and in library print collection also)

22. Explora
New interface for all three EBSCO resources - Advanced Placement Source, Canadian Reference Centre and Literary Reference Centre
Numerous publications with RSS feeds to save budget dollars
Ability to create permalinks for webpage/blog or blast
Layout aligns better with youth searching trends

23. Literary Reference Centre
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

24. Advanced Placement Source
Ideal support for IB/AP/-30 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

25. Canadian Reference Centre
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

26. Using EBSCO Resources to Create LLC Programming
Support classroom learning:
Create permalinks to related articles about an author classes are reading/studying
Create permalinks to articles related to Social Studies topics
Highlight a staff member’s favourite author each month - have students enter a comest to guess which staff member belongs to which author

27. Visual Thesaurus
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)
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

28. How to Create and LLC Contest Using Visual Thesaurus
Sign up for the word of the day
Select a word appropriate to your division ( if multiple divisions, pick one for each division)
Create a word map of the selected word(s)
Print off the map only without definitions (in the settings slide down menu at the top of the word map)
Use the photocopier to blow up the word map
Create a QR code taking users to Visual Thesaurus (see using QR codes in your LLC)
Create a bulletin board(s) with word map(s) and QR code as hint
Users enter the contest by providing the definition, and related sentence
Draw names Friday morning and announce winners - prizes can include sitting in comfortable seating for reading time, first check out of new book of their choice, candy, etc.

29. Sprucing Up Scientific Knowledge
PebbleGO Science
PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science
PowerKnowledge Life Science
PowerKnowledge Physical Science
Science In Context

30. PebbleGO Science Recommended for students in K-4
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

31. Using PebbleGO Science in the LLC
This is a database that can be easily navigated by kinders and grade 1 students with very little assistance
Always a struggle to find nonfiction content appropriate for this age range - this can supplement the print collection
Direct students and teachers there when print materials are requested for units of study
Topics covered: plants, animals, humans (senses), matter, sound, forces and motion, seasons, weather, etc.
Provide the updated curriculum map once completed

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. Ways to Power Up your LLC Collection with PowerKnowledge
An excellent way to supplement your print collection for both teachers and students
There are only so many books a library can have on penguins - PowerKnowledge databases can be accessed by a limitless number of students simultaneously
While pulling print content fetching units, find related content in the PowerKnowledge databases, create permalinks to articles to send those along in an as well
teachers the appropriate curriculum mapping document for the ORC from the ORC Support Site

37. 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 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

38. Social Studies PebbleGO Social Studies Culturegrams
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Canada In Context
Global Issues In Context
World History In Context

39. PebbleGO Social Studies
Recommended for students in K-4
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

40. Using PebbleGO in the LLC
This is a database that can be easily navigated by kinders and grade 1 students with very little assistance
Always a struggle to find nonfiction content appropriate for this age range - this can supplement the print collection
Direct students and teachers there when print materials are requested for units of study
Topics covered: my world, maps, long ago and today, community, culture and awareness, citizenship, holidays, etc.
Provide the updated curriculum map once completed

41. Culturegrams New interface for 2015/2016
Kids Edition - excellent support for gr. 3 S.S.
Provinces Edition - supports gr. 2 S.S.
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

42. Culturegrams in the LLC
There are only so many books on Tunisia
This database can greatly assist when all of the grade three students are looking for and wanting to check out that one book
Finding content for the grade 2 social studies curriculum is challenging
While this database does not provide information on the exact cities and towns studied in the grade 2 curriculum, it does provide excellent content on each of the provinces
This database can also support some parts of the grade 4 social studies curriculum
Of particular interest may be the timeline for Alberta

43. The Canadian Encyclopedia
Free website provided by the government of Canada
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,
Articles include publication date, editor and edit date

44. Using The Canadian Encyclopedia in the LLC
Provide a link to a digital exhibit from the collection (found along the top of the webpage)
Link to a first hand account by a Canadian veteran for Remembrance Day
If you school is named after a famous Canadian, link to information about that Canadian
Link to articles relevant to the curriculum for various units of study

45. Canada In Context
Canadian content not only for Social Studies but also for Sceince (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.

46. 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.

47. 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

48. Using “In Context” in the LLC
Use the “bookmark” feature to create permalinks of any of the pages in the database
Highlight content on library webpage or staff blast related to the curriculum, supplement print collections, support student interests, provide season/holiday content, provide information about other cultures/countries/customs
Access to current editions of Science News, The Science Teacher, Popular Science (Science In Context), Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, MacLean’s (Canada In Context), World and I, Newsweek International, and The Historian (World History In Context)

49. Support for School Staff Using the ORC
ORC Support Site
ORC Listserv
Links
Contact

50. 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

51. 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

52. Links to Check Out ORC SUpport Site www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
ORC Listserv
ORC Facebook
http:
ORC Twitter
@ORC_AB

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