Learning Activity

Database Deep Dive: Exploring Alabama Virtual Library

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

Students will explore one or more databases within Alabama Virtual Library. They will look for accessibility features like audio and translation. They will also look for options for refining results such as source type, date, and subject and productivity features such as cite, email, print, and download.

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 9

ELA21.9.22

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.9.22

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 10

ELA21.10.22

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies to locate credible sources.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.10.22

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies
  • Credible sources

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.
  • Strategies to locate credible information that is accurate and reliable.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies to find credible information.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 11

ELA21.11.25

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies to locate credible sources.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.11.25

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies
  • Credible sources

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.
  • Strategies to locate credible information that is accurate and reliable.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies to find credible information.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 12

ELA21.12.25

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies to locate and acquire credible, relevant, and useful information.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.12.25

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies
  • Credible sources
  • Relevant sources

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.
  • Strategies to locate credible, relevant, useful information that is accurate and reliable.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies to find credible, relevant, and useful information.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to use  Alabama Virtual Library databases as a search tool. 
  • Students will identify features that will help them use Alabama Virtual Library databases as a search tool. 

Activity Details

  1.       The teacher will remind students of the definition of a database and the important facts about them: 
  • A database is an organized collection of information.
  • The information has been published before, so most of the information has already been checked for authority and accuracy.
  • Most databases allow you to filter information.
  1. The teacher will tell students that Alabama Virtual Library is a collection of databases provided by the state of Alabama. 
  2. The teacher will explain that students are going to use databases today and explore the features of databases.
  3. The teacher will direct students to open Alabama Virtual Library using the link www.avl.lib.al.us and to click the yellow High School tab. 
  4. The teacher will provide students with an electronic or print copy of the selected Database Features Checklist(s) (Gale General OneFile, Explora for High Schools, and/or Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints (optimal if students will be researching an issue). 
  5. Students will work in pairs to explore the databases assigned by the teacher and complete the checklist(s). The teacher should indicate that the directions on each checklist are not the same. 
Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Teachers may collect the checklists that students and evaluate them using the following answer keys:

Answers_Gale General OneFile _ AVL Database Features

Answers_Explora for High Schools _ AVL Database Features

Answers_GIC: Opposing Viewpoints _ AVL Database Features

Accurate answers on the checklists will demonstrate that the student identified features that will help them use AVL databases as a search tool.

Acceleration

Students may complete all three checklists. 

Intervention

Students may be assigned only one checklist. The Gale databases and checklists are more user-friendly for students.

Approximate Duration

Total Duration

46 to 60 Minutes

Related Learning Activities

Learning Activity (Before)

What Is a Database?: Introduction to Alabama Virtual Library

Learning Activity (During)

Database Deep Dive: Exploring Alabama Virtual Library

Learning Activity (After)

Database Debrief: Exploring Alabama Virtual Library

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Teacher Preparation:

Teachers should be familiar with the three databases that students may explore. The teacher should decide which of the Alabama Virtual Library databases best fit the type of research tasks students will complete in the future and assign the Database Features Checklists for these particular products. Gale General OneFile provides information on general interest topics and current events. Explora For High Schools also provides information on general interest topics and current events but also includes topic overviews. Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints is best for researching a controversial issue.  Teachers should be familiar with the database features and provide students with a print or electronic checklist(s) for the databases they will be evaluating.

Student Preparation: 

Students should have a digital device. They should be familiar with what a database is and know that Alabama Virtual Library is a collection of databases that are mostly used for research.

Materials and Resources

Materials and Resources

Materials: 

  • Digital devices and internet access for students.
  • Access to Alabama Virtual Library
  • Print or electronic copies of Database Features Checklist(s) for databases selected by the teacher for this activity. 

AVL Database Features Checklist: Gale General OneFile

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12INj_j0ejOVEUPqOgX6c0cy-3wyhnrs_haHNNcOzzZc/edit?usp=sharing

AVL Database Features Checklist: Explora for High Schools

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VCfZpZZs_xPYhD_WTezVx-1DzLiNCjzfIwtxrGP80Do/edit?usp=sharing

AVL Database Features Checklist: Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qnD3qO7GScpv44ZR3xzBH2TXhBeh3C533FPUBx_m5KY/edit?usp=sharing

 

Digital Tools / Resources

AVL Database Features Checklist: Gale General OneFile
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12INj_j0ejOVEUPqOgX6c0cy-3wyhnrs_haHNNcOzzZc…
AVL Database Features Checklist: Explora for High Schools
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VCfZpZZs_xPYhD_WTezVx-1DzLiNCjzfIwtxrGP80Do…
AVL Database Features Checklist: Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qnD3qO7GScpv44ZR3xzBH2TXhBeh3C533FPUBx_m5KY…
Alabama Virtual Library
https://www.avl.lib.al.us/

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

szana
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