Diving Into the Online
Reference Centre (ORC)
Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator
Sturgeon School Division Library Meeting
November 16, 2015
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
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
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 email blast
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
Sturgeon School Division Username:
Password:
Share your district username and password using low tech methods - do
not post on an open website
Email jdavis@thealbertalibrary.ab.ca for your remote username/password
Questions?
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
Not sure how to create a QR
code? Learn how here…
http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/2
9449/How-to-Create-a-QR-Code-in-4-QuickSteps.aspx
Promoting and Supporting
Literacy
Early World of Learning *NEW*
National Geographic Kids Virtual Library *NEW*
BookFLIX
TrueFLIX
TeachingBooks.net
Explora - EBSCO Resources *NEW*
Visual Thesaurus
New to the collection for 2015/2016
Designed for very young learners with human voice
read aloud embedded throughout
Stories, pictures, videos, songs and activities build
literacy skills
Related content to Science and Social Studies
curricula
Fun and interactive, works well on iPad or tablet
Begin an LLC session with a sing along - have related books
pulled out for students
On LLC Smart Board have the games open so that students
who have made selections can work together to play the
educational games
Supplement print collection with the “Know It” section
Highlight “Know It” and have related print resources available
Pre-load on iPads for students to access during LLC time
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 “Email” “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
TeachingBooks.net
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)
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 email blast
Layout aligns better with youth
searching trends
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
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
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
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
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
1. Sign up for the word of the day
2. Select a word appropriate to your division ( if multiple divisions, pick one for each division)
3. Create a word map of the selected word(s)
4. Print off the map only without definitions (in the settings slide down menu at the top of the
word map)
5. Use the photocopier to blow up the word map
6. Create a QR code taking users to Visual Thesaurus (see using QR codes in your LLC)
7. Create a bulletin board(s) with word map(s) and QR code as hint
8. Users enter the contest by providing the definition, and related sentence
9. 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.
Sprucing Up Scientific
Knowledge
PebbleGO Science *NEW*
PowerKnowledge Earth and Space Science
PowerKnowledge Life Science
PowerKnowledge Physical Science
Science In Context
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 email as well
Email teachers the appropriate curriculum mapping document for
the ORC from the ORC Support Site
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
Social Studies
PebbleGO Social Studies *NEW*
Culturegrams
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Canada In Context
Global Issues In Context
World History In Context
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
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
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
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
Free website provided by the government of Canada
Change from English to French at the top of the righthand 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
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
Canadian content not only for Social Studies but also for Science (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
Excellent support for the Grade 10-12 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
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
Use the “bookmark” feature to create permalinks of any of the
pages in the database
Highlight content on library webpage or staff email 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)
Support for School Staff
Using the ORC
ORC Support Site
ORC Listserv
Links
Contact
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
Weekly email updates organized by E/J/S:
New resources and features
Province-wide trials
Surveys
Free PD opportunities
No emails during school breaks
Membership benefits for every 50th person to join
Email jdavis@thealbertalibrary.ab.ca or visit the ORC Support Site to join
today
ORC SUpport Site
www.onlinereferencecentre.ca
ORC Listserv
http://lists.talonline.ca/listinfo/orc
ORC Facebook
http: www.facebook.com/OnlineReferenceCentre
ORC Twitter
@ORC_AB
For more information or to schedule a school
presentation contact
Jamie Davis, ORC Co-ordinator
Call 780-414-0805 Ext. 229
OR
Email jdavis@thealbertalibrary.ab.ca