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Discoverer_Revised
- 1. SIRS Discoverer Opens aworld of information to students Paul M. Stella, Librarian Nassau County Public Library http://read.nassau.lib.fl.us/databases.html
- 2. Welcome to SIRSDiscoverer • SIRS stands for “Social Issues Resources Series.” • An award-winning database designed with the young researcher in mind. • Strengthens research, reading, writing, and computer skills. • Articles and graphics from more than 1,900 U.S. and international magazines, newspapers, and U.S. government documents. SIRS Discoverer ®
- 3. Database Features Full-Text Articles •100% Full-Text • Keyword bolding of search terms • Article Reading Levels • In-line pictures support reading • Links to related articles • Email articles and pictures • Print for reading or reference
- 4. SIRS Discoverer WebFind •Now includes Discoverer WebFind as a content set. • Dynamically updated collection of websites are evaluated for research value, high interest, credibility, and age appropriateness. • Sites are monitored for content changes by SIRS' software. SIRS Discoverer ®
- 5. Database Features WebFind Sites •Selected by subject specialists to ensure age appropriateness, credibility, reliability. • Continually monitored for content changes. • Source, Summary, and Descriptor information aids in determining content. • Supports curriculum through assigned Reading Levels, Topics, and Subjects.
- 6. Database Features • Articles,images, and websites are regularly selected by our SIRS research team comprised of 40+ professionals with diverse educational backgrounds. • Highlights interesting articles and images that are tied to timely themes. Top Pick
- 7. Database Features • Researchideas to help pupils start researching right away. Includes: — Born this Month Biographies — Holidays & Celebrations World cultures — Challenge Quest Quiz and pathfinders aid information literacy — Suggested Research Topics Start research with these top searches Pathfinders
- 8. Database Features • Providesa shortcut to full-text articles that offer activities: — Science experiments — Craft projects — Writing activities • Activities are marked with a label in the article results list (an a) to make them easy to identify within results. Activities
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- 10. Database Features • 2,000+ full-text biographies of famous and notable people are available, including U.S. Presidents. •Available in multiple reading levels. • WebFind features sites with biographical information on artists, scientists, inventors, historical figures, and more. Biographies
- 11. Database Features • Articles with information on nearly 200 countries. • Printable maps, flags, population statistics, government information, languages spoken, economic data, history. •Many countries also have links to Culture Facts. • In addition, profiles and graphics are included for  every U.S. State and Canadian Province. Country Facts
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- 13. Database Features • Keyword search or browse for pictures using an alphabetical index. • 33,000+high-quality pictures accompany full-text articles. • Pictures include photographs, illustrations, maps, charts, and more. • Send pictures as email attachments, or save to HD/CD/USB flash drives for use in presentations. Pictures
- 14. Database Features • More than 3,000detailed, printable maps are available as an online reference almanac. • Maps include all 50 United States, the provinces and territories of Canada, as well as nations and regions of the world. • Includes U.S. Historical, World Historical, and Outline Maps. Maps of the World
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- 16. Database Features Reference Works • Current Events • Spotlight of the Month •The World Almanac ® for Kids • Encyclopedia Britannica ®
- 17. SIRS Discoverer SearchPaths 1. Subject Tree Search — Locate content via 15 category buttons. — Categories are divided into sub-topics, or “branches,” creating a subject tree. — Useful when you have a general subject in mind and allows you to explore many different fields without limiting you to predetermined topics. Three Search Methods
- 18. Database Features 1. SubjectTree Search — Topics appear in each category and may be followed by article or website titles. — An < indicates the branch has been expanded. — Select the branch to return to that level of the tree. — An > indicates there are additional levels beyond this branch in the tree. Three Search Methods
- 19. Database Features 2. KeywordSearch — Boolean Operators AND, OR, NOT — AND is grand, but OR gives more! — Truncation farm* -> farmers, farming — Phrase Searching “affirmative action” — Natural Language Why is the sky blue? — Article Sorting Relevance Date Lexile Three Search Methods
- 20. Database Features 2. KeywordSearch (Advanced) — Additional search fields available, search by Title or Author, or together in conjunction with Full-Text. — Reading Level Selectors: Easy, Moderate, Challenging — Search in almanac or encyclopedia — Limit results to a Three Search Methods
- 21. Database Features 3. SubjectHeadings Search — Use this method when you have a specific research topic in mind. — Articles are indexed according to Library of Congress subject headings. Three Search Methods
- 22. Database Features Reading Levels Articlesand sites are assigned a reading level according to editorial judgment, the Flesch Reading Ease and Lexile scale. Limit searches to include articles or websites of a single reading level or broader Lexile range, in any combination. Easy (Grades 1-4) General (All grades) Moderate (Grades 5-7) Challenging (Grades 8+)
- 23. Database Features Pictures • TheCamera icon signifies that there are one or more pictures available. • Select the icon to view a list. • In addition, articles include inline thumbnail images, which assist researchers and create context.
- 24. Database Features Article Labels •a - Designates the article contains an activity. • f - Designates the article is a work of fiction. • p - Designates the article contains biographical information about a person.
- 25. Database Features Source Tabs& Modify • Source tabs have been added to help further narrow your results. • A search box at the bottom enable users to modify a search without having to start over.
- 26. Database Features Email • Usersmay email full-text articles and pictures to their personal email addresses right from the article display.
- 27. Database Features Print • APrint button displays at the top of each article. • Allows quick and easy access to the print dialog box of your browser.
- 28. SIRS Discoverer Additional Help •Tutorial • Dictionary &Thesaurus • Help Index • Search Tips • How to Cite • Workbooks • Educators’ Resources • Bookmark
- 29. SIRS Discoverer Questions? Call orvisit your local Nassau County Public Library Join us on the WWW at http://read.nassau.lib.fl.us
Editor's Notes
- #2 Welcome to our tutorial on SIRS Discoverer. My name is Paul Stella – Branch Manager of Callahan Library. 10 minute lecture and overview of product freely available through NCPL. The NCPL website is here. We also have some library literature that contains the website’s address or URL. SIRS Discoverer is an excellent online tool designed for elementary and middle school children. SIRS Discoverer has been designed to change the research experience for younger students. Animals, arts, science, or sports—whatever the topic make research a blast. Filled with articles primarily written for kids, this database invites users to discover their own world, from their own point of view. Let’s get started… go to website. Show login procedures. All library cards have same 5 numbers, 20310.
- #3 You may ask what does the acronym “SIRS” mean? Social Issues Resources Series. SIRS is a reference database designed to develop reading, writing and language skills for elementary and middle school students. Reference material is rarely developed for younger students. They must make use of sources aimed at older students. This often makes research experiences difficult and frustrating. Have any of you experienced this frustration with your student? Materials are carefully selected for their educational content, interest, and level of readability.
- #4Â Using the database, the student will find Full-Text articles that support the appropriate grade/reading level. There are links to subtopics and related articles. Any article may be printed or e-mailed. Pictures can also be downloaded to a USB drive.
- #5Â SIRS Discoverer has found a great way to integrate the information on the WWW to students in a meaningful way. The content of the WWW is not indexed and unfiltered for students. It is the equivalent of a LOST episode with students struggling to survive the jumble of (mis)information. Students waste time trying to find relevant & authoritative material on the Internet. Let me read some passages from one of their brochures comparing Discoverer vs. Google and other web surfing: 100% of SIRS is curriculum relevant for K-12. Less than 10% of Google is curriculum relevant for K-12. Selected websites and quality articles, reviewed daily, meet K-12 curriculum and state education standards in SIRS. Google information is not updated regularly and may be created by questionable sources. Reading level designations for all articles and selection of appropriate websites for grades K-8 in SIRS. No method for adjusting results for student reading levels in Google. Tutorials are included in SIRS. Google has o equivalent feature.
- #6Â This is as close to an index for relevant Websites as you will find.
- #7 Top Pick shows high interest articles. We’ll also showcase the Spotlight of the Month a little later. Any Questions?
- #8 Moving down on the screen we find a listing of the Database Features of SIRS. Pathfinders are a lot like a road map – they show you places you can go, and suggested topics. Often the difficulty in research comes in selecting a topic. SIRS provides research ideas, topics relevant to students. Gives them a leg up without the added stress.
- #9 Under the Database Features you will find the Activities button. Articles contain complete instructions on how to do a variety of projects, including art projects, recipes, plays to perform, science projects and more. Teachers and mentors can supplement learning by creating lessons around many of these activities. Let’s look at just one example of the Articles feature in our next slide.
- #10 Here is an editorial cartoon found in a newspaper. SIRS provides a useful activity to prime a student to think about the relevancy of the content. It says… Editorial cartoonists use pictures to express their opinions about issues in the news. Study the cartoon about high food and gas prices. Then answer the questions that follow. Cartoon: High Food and Gas Prices      1. What does the man mean when he says, &quot;One of you will go hungry&quot;?      2. To whom is the man talking?      3. What is the reaction? How can you tell?      4. What is happening in the cartoon? Write a brief summary to explain.      5. What point might the cartoonist be trying to make about rising food and gas prices?
- #11Â Biographies provides a shortcut to biographies included on SIRS Discoverer. Nearly 2000 biographies of famous and/or notable people are included. The Biographies screen appears with an Alphabetical browse. Enter the name for the desired biography last name, then first name or browse alphabetically by the first letter of the LAST NAME of the person. Remember that the biographies in SIRS include carefully selected websites and that all information can be found at multiple reading levels.
- #12 States and countries will always be researched by middle and elementary school students. SIRS provides an easy-to-use “Country facts” that has relevant and current information written on the level appropriate for students. Select Country Facts from Database Features Select a subtopic of interest or an article title to view. Maps, flags and cultural or demographics are readily available.
- #13Â Photo Essays portray social issues and global concepts using visuals accompanied by brief text. Each topic consists of several essays containing photographs, maps, or other graphic elements along with brief informative text. Select Photo Essays from Database Features Topic titles display in alphabetical order. Choose a topic Select a photo essay you would like to view. The article associated with the photo essay is displayed.
- #14 Kids love pictures, don’t they? Hey, we all love to see pictures… remember when “instant” meant a Polaroid shot of yourself? Now we have digital photography and computer editing software to make finding pictures easy. SIRS supports this digital revolution with over 33,000 high quality pic’s with the body of a full-text articles. Select Pictures from Database Features Enter search term(s) and select Search. You can also browse alphabetically. Select a picture title to view.
- #15 SIRS also includes Maps of the World in Database Features. Have you ever tried to take an Atlas and photocopy a map? It’s nearly impossible to copy a clear image. Select Maps from Database Features. This page allows you to search by Keyword, Browse by Title or Category. Choose your Search Method. Enter search term(s) and select Search. Select a map to view. The outline maps are cool if students need a blank map to fill in states, capitals, etc.
- #16 Lastly SIRS contains American Heritage Dictionary and Roget’s II Thesaurus to assist users in defining words, checking spelling or choosing the perfect word. The onscreen User’s Guide has a complete overview of all features available.
- #17 Continuing with the Database Features there are 4 interesting components found underneath the WebFinder feature. Current Events is obvious. Spotlight of the Month articles encourage research into the current topic. They will remain linked from this page until the end of each month. An archive with articles is also available for the duration of the calendar year. World Almanac for kids provides an easy-to-use Table of Contents of topics with an index of chapters and subchapters.  Use Table of Contents search when you have a general idea of your research subject. Comptons by Encyclopedia Britannica® is one of the world&apos;s most trusted sources of information on every topic imaginable - from the origins of the universe to current events, and everything in between. Any questions?
- #18 There are 3 main searching methods for SIRS. The first method is the Subject Tree Search. Notice the read box on the screen surrounding the tree. Choose a topic from one of the 15 main categories on the Home Page or from the Subject Tree Search link located at the bottom of the page. This type of search is similar to the “Yahoo” search method on the Internet. The categories represent the “Trunk” of the tree. The topical categories are then subdivided into the “branches” making up the subject tree. Subject Tree searching is most useful when you are browsing for a general topic or subject and want to explore the topic in full.
- #19 Topics appear and may be followed by article titles. &lt; “Less Than sign” Indicates the branch has been expanded. Select the branch to return to that level of the tree.. &gt; “Greater Than sign” Indicates there are additional levels beyond this branch in the tree. Click the branch to advance to a subtopic.
- #20 Keyword Search is useful when you want to locate articles based upon your own combination of key words and phrases. This is where the fun begins… Let’s talk a moment about Boolean Operators: AND, OR & NOT. The AND operator locates articles that contain all of the key words or phrases. Example: A query such as children AND computers returns articles that contain both key words. The OR operator locates articles that contain at least one of the key words or phrases. Example: A query such as hurricane OR tornado returns articles that contain one or both key words. The NOT operator eliminates articles that contain certain key words or phrases. Examples: California AND earthquake NOT &quot;San Francisco&quot; returns articles that contain the words California and earthquake but not the phrase San Francisco. This is an example of how to locate references to the various earthquakes in California, excluding those in San Francisco. Use AND and OR together to expand your search. AND has a higher precedence than OR, so you must enclose the OR words in parentheses. Example: health AND (kids OR children) will return articles that contain the words health and kids, or health and children. Use NOT and OR together to limit your search. NOT has a higher precedence than OR, so a search using NOT and OR produces results as described below. Example: (dog NOT cat) OR puppy will return articles that reference dog but don&apos;t contain cat, or contain puppy. Note: The AND operator is implied between each key word or phrase in a query that does not contain Boolean operators. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Truncation Truncation involves the use of a wildcard to find alternate word endings to your query. It is a shortcut - a quick and easy way to include plurals, tense variations and alternate spellings. To use Truncation, type an asterisk (*) after the root of your key word. For example, the query farm* returns articles that contain the words farm, farmed, farmer, farmers, farming, farmland, farmhouse, farms, etc. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phrase Searches Phrase Search allows searching of article text for keyword phrases. The phrase must be enclosed in quotation marks to ensure that multiple words appearing next to one another in a specified order will be found within article text. Entering the query &quot;affirmative action&quot; returns articles that contain the phrase affirmative action. Articles that contain both affirmative and action but not together will not be returned. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natural Language A Natural Language Search is a way of expressing a query in simple language without having to use Boolean operators. If you are looking for articles about life on other planets, you can conduct a Natural Language Search by typing Is there life on other planets? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article Sorting Results may be returned by relevance or date order. Relevance returns articles based on the number of times key words from a query appear in the article text. Date returns articles in reverse chronological order.  If currency is the most important factor, select date.  In advanced search, select Lexile Ascending to see lowest Lexile scores first or Lexile Descending to see highest scores first.
- #21Â Advanced Keyword Searches Additional Search fields available (Author, Title) Default Reading Levels Articles in Discoverer are assigned a reading level according to the Flesch Reading Ease scale: Easy (grades 1-4) Moderate (grades 5-7) Challenging (8th grade and beyond) You may set the search interfaces to search one, two, or all three reading levels by default. If you make no specification, all three reading levels will always be searched.
- #22 The LCSH are not always intuitive, or known automatically. Human beings indexing this information means there may be several references to the same information. A good example is the Civil War: American Civil War (1861-1865) - See: U.S., History, Civil War (1861-1865) War between the States (1861-1865) - See: U.S., History, Civil War (1861-1865) SIRS Discoverer does have “see” references to assist you in finding the correct topic. Any questions?
- #23 Little Book - Select to view the article Source & Summary. The color of this icon also indicates the Reading Level of the article. What about reading levels? Flesch’s Reading Ease formula became the most widely used formula and one of the most tested and reliable. The computations involve only the counting of words, syllables, and sentences. From these counts sentence length and word length are combined to compute the actual scale score. This score can range from zero, for extremely difficult reading, to one hundred, for very easy reading. Lexile falls under the category of leveled reading. In a nutshell, leveled reading uses various assessment tools to determine how well your child reads, and then matches her to books that are challenging enough for her to make progress, but not so hard that she will become frustrated. From Scholastic.Com: nice article on Leveled Books by Deborah Wilburn Q: How can I help my son/daughter choose books that are at her reading level? A: &quot;Just-right books&quot; make reading more fun and less frustrating. Have your child try the &quot;five-finger test&quot; to select a book. 1. Choose a book you would like to read.2. Look at a page in the middle.3. Put one finger down for every word you can&apos;t read or don&apos;t understand. If you have five fingers down, the book may be too hard.4. If you have fewer than five fingers down, the book is &quot;just right&quot;! Read it.
- #25 Article labels… Letter a - Designates the article contains an activity. Letter f - Designates the article is fiction. Letter p - Designates the article contains biographical information about a person. Now you have seen what all of the little icons mean. Any questions?
- #26Â For Natural Language and Keyword searching, click on the Source Tab for more information on the bibliographic citation. Also, the search box at the bottom page allows the searcher to change and modify search strategies without starting over.
- #27Â Remember all full-text articles can be e-mailed, including pic&apos;s, maps, graphs, etc. Pictures can also be saved on a USB drive.
- #28Â Printing at NCPL requires prepayment. Speak to your staff person for assistance.