My Final Post to You All!

• Finally, explore resources the Invitational didn’t cover. MARVEL gives you access to Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts which covers all things libraries. You can also access WorldCat, OCLC’s huge bibliographic database. There’s also Literary Reference Center which is a full-text database that provides information on thousands of authors and their works across literary disciplines and time frames.

1.  What was your biggest discovery?

2. How will you promote or use the resources with your patrons, colleagues or students?

     I spent half time of the Dallas game researching several topics also part of MARVEL. I actually think that the invitational explored the most interesting databases for me. I looked further into using the medical databases and was allowed to further look at diabetes and its diet and the myths about diabetes. Again, some of the databases made it difficult for me to find what I was searching for. This is why I think for the first time someone is encountering MARVEL it would be very helpful to have a live person present should there be the need (YES) for clarification. I would have done much better with my questions answered immediately instead of floundering alone. Even being in a class with others would have helped me get where I needed to be.

     I truly believe I will continue to use Novel List K-8 forever when helping my students or even friends choose an appropriate book title. This was the best feature of MARVEL for me. I will make the search mandatory for students who are choosing books below grade level, who have read series and might want another 'alike' of said series, or just for the reluctant readers I so often encounter in my classroom. I've found some success already and hope to continue to spread the word. My cohort in 8th grade will also use this in her classroom once I teach her how to use it.

Week 11

We'd like your final blog entry to tell us what you learned along the way and what you'll do with your new knowledge.

This has been certainly the most unique way of learning something new that I have ever participated in. Yes there were struggles along the way and no I will not give up on all learnings. I especially loved the ease at which I could assist my students with finding new books while using Novel List K-8 Plus. My librarian is purchasing as fast as she can for them I have supplemented my classroom library with 'book alikes' and 'author alikes' that my students love. I've gotten my students to read more than 1000 pages a week on average since learning this resource. I will continue to utilize this aspect of MARVEL and integrate into my teaching so more and more of my students will find books they love. I also want to use Learning Express to help my 8th graders do some career search to help them begin to think of the future into which they will soon be thrust. They need someone to talk to them about their likes and dislikes and what aspirations they might have. This too often gets overlooked within the home and I want my students to know I want them to succeed with whatever they want. This will give them options. WIsh me (and them) luck! I've enjoyed the challenge, but have found myself a bit lacking when it comes to some of the lessons, but I tried and will find much use for MARVEL when the opportunity arises.

FINALE 10

Pick one of the databases mentioned above from the alphabetical list or pick Ebsco Host from the list and then choose the database from that list.

I chose Middle Search Plus and searched classroom management, a topic I am always trying to perfect in my classroom. I also narrowed the search to reflect articles within the last 2 years so I could possibly read the most recent research on the topic. I just want to review what I do and how I can become a more effective disciplinarian. Middle school students  present such challenges today and I struggle with managing the behaviors that are domineering the classroom.

2. One of the first things to figure out is what journals and books are actually indexed in the database.  To do that, click on “Publications” in the blue menu bar at the top of the page.  Scroll down the list or search for a popular magazine title.  Is it covered in the database you’re in?
I couldn't find any publications I know of related to middle school teaching. It did not include Educator magazine or any publication related to In the Middle. I was at a loss for any others. Most I found was bibliographic records. Somewhat disappointing.

Now, click “Basic Search” and type a search in the search box. Search for answers to the question about zinc in foods posed at the beginning of the post if you can’t think of something else. Review the results, selecting an article to see what kind of information you can find. Discuss your results.
I searched 'teaching in the middle' and found that there were several useful articles. I found one lesson I could use for my students that had direct correlation to what we are doing now: comparison and contrast writing.

3. Look at 2 or 3 other participants’ blogs to see what they discovered. Comment if you like.
I reviewed others' posts and found a bit of both worlds. Some were as unfortunate as I and others were successful. I found, as has been in all my searches, it depends upon what topic you post. I have been less than successful and find that perhaps I am not as focused as I need to be to use this source. I'l keep plugging along!

1. Do a search for a topic that interests you. Note the default search is “full text.” You may want to change the search to keyword. Review your findings and observations.
I searched digital photography and found one full text ebook titled Computers and Creativity. This was not my intended result, but I did peruse it and found some interesting information. I was more looking for digital photography instruction or tips. It did entice me to want to learn computer programs that would allow me to edit on a professional level. 

2. Constitution Day is looming and several students need more material. Search NetLibrary and recommend some appropriate titles.
I searched net library for Constitution Day (which I thought was in September) and fund no results. Better luck next year.

3. A class is doing projects on Western history. They have exhausted the library’s print collection. In NetLibrary, click “Advanced Search.” In the Publisher box, type “Nebraska” or “Oklahoma.” Report your findings.
Nothing.......... finally frustrated! I honestly gave it a good try, but I found too many road blocks along the way.  Thanks for the opportunity.