thing ten- Search strategies
For this module, I began by exploring the MeL Educational Databases for kids. MeL is a great resource website that is great for kids and adults of all ages to find lots of useful and reliable information and resources. Here is a screenshot of the MeL kids page where I was searching from.
I was then asked to compare/contrast two databases. I compared the Michigan eLibrary database for kids with the MI Kids database. I was searching information about the Mackinac Bridge on both databases. They both surfaced a large variety of information and resources about my search. I personally think that the Michigan eLibrary for kids may have been a bit more helpful and easy to navigate. The search seemed a bit more kid-friendly and had more options and resources available. I think both of these databases could be used by my students in a classroom, however I would prefer the MeL database as the more appropriate site for elementary school kids.
Here are a few additional resources that I would use in my classroom for elementary school students:
http://www.proquest.com/
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/
http://www.cengage.com/search/showresults.do?N=197+4294917650
http://www.proquest.com/
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/
http://www.cengage.com/search/showresults.do?N=197+4294917650
Next, I learned about 'hoax' websites, or websites that are clearly not real, and contain no pieces of reliable information for children or any person trying to collect facts. I critically analyzed two websites, one about tree octopuses, which was the obvious hoax website, and the other website was a resourse page from National Geographic Kids about Octopuses. The tree octopuses website is very hard to follow and the information seems obvously unbelievable and confusing to understand. The credibility for the site does not seem accurate or even complete and it doesn't seem to site any real sources for any of the "facts" that it says. I also noticed a few grammatical errors. This site is clearly not reliable and is a hoax. I then looked at the Nat Geo site and just by reading the page and having a realiable author and source for the information given tells me that it is a much more trustworth resource. All of the information is sitable and after researching the author, I can tell that the article is very qualified. I would definitely say this is a reliable source for any student of mine trying to complete a research assignment about octopuses.
Lastly, as a part of this module I learned how to create a correct bibliography and site a book or magazine off of a free citation maker. I used BibMe.com which provides free citations in MLA, APA, and other formats. This citation is for the book Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.
Gantos, J. (1998). Joey Pigza swallowed the key. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Gantos, J. (1998). Joey Pigza swallowed the key. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.