This document provides a tutorial for parents on how to use the Kids InfoBits online database. It demonstrates how to conduct searches using the visual search, search box, and advanced search features. It provides examples of searching for information on animals, cities, and inventors to help students with school projects. The tutorial also explains how parents can access the database from home and highlights various search tips and functions.

1. Kids InfoBits Parent Tutorial By Mary Gaeta LBS 710

3. Kids InfoBits is a on-line database (information resource) designed for younger students. It features a graphic interface, reference content, and magazines for elementary students. “ Kids InfoBits organizes an amazing number of resources into a database that addresses the different ways that kids conduct research – and makes it fun in the process.” http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/service_packet/infobits_packet.pdf Introduction

4. Kids InfoBits is recommened for children in Kindergarten through grade 5. “ Kids InfoBits opens with lively, icon-rich topic tree that encourages young children to drill down from broad to more narrowly focused topics. Older students can type a keyword or phrase in the subject search box. The results page divides content into six tabs, allowing students to easily find the type of information they need.” http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/service_packet/infobits_packet.pdf

6. Accessing Kids InfoBits From Home Go to www.noblenet.org . This is the home page for the North of Boston Library Exchange. Click on Reference Databases. Click here for reference databases

7. Opening Screen

10. Visual Search Our first step is to select the broad topic Animals Narrow the topic by selecting Bugs & Worms You can select any of these categories, but I like bugs.

11. Visual Search Select fireflies

12. Visual Search There are 11 reference articles on fireflies.

13. Visual Search There are 17 magazine article on fireflies.

14. Visual Search There are 6 images of fireflies.

15. Visual Search Notice the topic tree search. You can click on any of the words to go back to any of these levels .

16. Visual Search To save article or image that maybe helpful, check the box to put the article or image in “My Backpack.” The articles and images will be saved only for this one session.

17. Visual Search Select a reading level. The Easy reading level is geared towards grades K-2 while the More Difficult level is geared towards grades 3-5.

18. Listening to a Document If you would like to have your whole article read to you click on the listen icon. If you only want a section of the article read to you, highlight the section you want read and click the listen icon.

20. Search Box Enter a search term in the white search box. It helps to search with one or two words at a time and enter the most important word first.

21. Search Box A list of subject terms that most closely match you search terms will appear. Click on Boston, Massachusetts.

22. Search Box Here are the results

28. Advanced Search Opening screen for Advanced Search

29. Advanced Search The ability to search a particular field from the drop down menu

30. Advanced Search The search maybe limited to particular dates.

31. Advanced Search The search maybe limited to a document type.

32. Advanced Search The search maybe limited to a particular reading level.