Teaching Math and Science
with the
Online Reference Centre
Jamie Davis, ORC Coordinator
Oilfields School
October 23, 2015
What is the ORC?
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 *
Funded by a yearly Grant-In-Aid from Alberta Education to The
Alberta Library (TAL)
*for the purposes of supporting K-12 patrons
Why These Resources?
Provide authoritative, age appropriate, 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
What’s in it for teachers?
Direct curricular correlations, ability to search curricular
outcomes
Support for diverse learners
Access to journals like Walrus, National Geographic, School
Library Journal, Men’s Health, and Maclean’s (RSS feeds
can be set up)
Consistent and explicit update schedules
Access to vetted websites
Ability to create permalinks that can be posted on a
website/moodle page/blog or sent in an email blast
Accessing the ORC
Go to 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 remote username/password
Foothills Username:
Password:
Share your district username/password (low tech methods)
Email jdavis@thealbertalibrary.ab.ca for your remote
username/password
Questions?
Tips for Using this Booklet
This symbol means that the resource is ideal for
Science instruction.
This symbol means that the resource is ideal for
Math instruction.
Both symbols means the resources can
support both Math and Science.
Science In Context
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 right side of the search bar at the
top
Advanced search allows for Boolean, and content selection
(Advanced/Intermediate/Basic)
Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Science
curriculum - embedded links to the article included
Teen Health and Wellness
Straightforward discussion of all teen health and wellness topics with links to the Alberta
science and CALM curricula
Customizable listen feature and text translation
Sectioned articles with links to related articles for shallow searchers
Embedded citations (MLA, APA, Chicago)
Many interactive features that allow students to interact and contribute:
Student polls on current topics
Share personal stories and read stories from other teens
Create and submit videos on various health and wellness topics
Submit questions to Dr. jan and receive answers back
Alberta/Canada specific hotlines
Current In the news tops change frequently
Canada In Context
Canadian Content not only for Social Studies but also 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 right side of the search bar at the top
Advanced search allows for Boolean, and content selection (Advanced/Intermediate/Basic)
Search specific learner outcomes in “Curriculum Standards” for the Alberta Social Studies,
ELA and Science curricula - embedded links to the article included
Explora
New Interface for EBSCO
Will be added to the ORC
collection in September 2015
Filters content from 3
databases into 1 allowing for
federated simultaneous
searching
More aesthetically pleasing
and functional
Aligns with youth search
trends
Advanced Placement Source
Ideal support for IB/AP/-30 students
Change the language of interface at the top right hand side of the screen to allow for searching
and reading in other languages
Text translation to 32 different languages
Customizable listen feature available for articles available 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 left-hand side
Create notes within article 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” feature along the right-hand side of the
screen
Some academic journals available in original French and Spanish
Learn Alberta
Resources
Explore Learning Gizmo
Explore Learning Gizmo
Access through the LearnAlberta.ca website
“Find Resources” search Gizmo or Math/Science Concept
For Students: explanatory video on concept, and assessment questions
For Teachers in “Lesson Info” at the top right-hand corner
Description
Teacher Guide (PDF or customizable word)
Vocabulary Sheet (PDF or customizable word)
Student Exploration (PDF or customizable word)
Resource Trials
Curriculum Video
Britannica School
Curriculum Video
Available on the ORC webpage from October 2015-January 2016
Access over 17 000 full length curriculum support videos
Full interactive transcripts for all content with Google translate
Create your own playlists using segments of videos
Ability to link Permalinks/Persistent URLs to allow easy access to
content
Sneak Peek Information:
http://streaming.factsonfile.com
Username: research1
Password: research101
Britannica School
Available on the ORC webpage from October 2015-January 2016
Easy to use multidisciplinary database
Access a wealth of content in 3 different reading levels including biographies, primary
sources and E-Books
Features include: read aloud, interlinked related images, videos, and articles
Includes a Canada In Focus sections with current and relevant information specific to
Canadian learners
Sneak Peek Information:
http://school.eb.com
Username: learnalberta
Password: albertaschools
Support for School
Staff Using the ORC
ORC Support Site
ORC Listserv
Links
Contact
ORC Support Site
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 Event
Links to ORC Twitter and Facebook accounts
ORC Listserv
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
Links to Check Out
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
Contact
jdavis@thealbertalibrary.ab.ca