Learning Activity

Identifying Database Advanced Search Tools

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

A quick database search may yield thousands of results. Using advanced search tools can help students narrow down these results and find relevant sources. In this activity, students will explore the Advanced Search tools and research strategies for one database and answer questions on helpful features.

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

Before/Engage
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Students will recognize a variety of database advanced search tools such as term, field, keyword, subject, Boolean, full-text, and wildcard
  • Students will use research strategies to locate information.

 

Activity Details

1. The teacher will tell students that they will be learning how to use advanced search tools and research strategies to optimize their search results in Alabama Virtual Library Databases. 

2. The teacher will tell students that while the two videos they will watch focus on one database, most databases have similar advanced search tools. 

3. The students will watch the following videos: 

4. The students will answer the questions while watching the videos: Video Questions_Advanced Searching Parts 1 and 2 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tgEyy1S9C7yXlg55zEPgJfFIWJjJ6exxFFrquboetOA/edit?usp=sharing

5. The teacher may review the answers to the questions with the class. 

 

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will observe student engagement with the video and verify that students have correctly answered the questions about the search tools and research strategies by referring to the ANSWER KEY.

 

Acceleration

Accelerated students may answer the questions by exploring the advanced search without watching the video.

Intervention

Students who need intervention may be provided the videos for review.

Approximate Duration

Total Duration

16 to 30 Minutes

Related Learning Activities

Learning Activity (Before)

Identifying Database Advanced Search Tools

Learning Activity (During)

Narrowing Your Search Using Advanced Search Tools

Learning Activity (After)

Researching Independently Using Advanced Search Tools

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Teacher Preparation:

The teacher should have knowledge of Alabama Virtual Library databases and how to conduct a search. The teacher should decide how the videos will be shared (viewed as a whole class, viewed individually on student devices) and how the questions will be answered (print copies of question handouts, or questions posted to the learning management system). 

Student Preparation:

Students should know how to access the Alabama Virtual Library and have basic knowledge of research databases.

 

Materials and Resources

Materials and Resources

Teacher Materials:

Student Materials: 

  • Digital device with internet access 
  • Access to Advanced Searching Videos
  • Print or digital copy of Video Questions

 

Digital Tools / Resources

Video: Advanced Searching Part 1: Search Terms
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1357ceE-EN6UVeTc6iNw-LIUhLeOxR1yi/view?usp=shar…
Video: Advanced Searching Part 2: Search Limiters
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gwK6jCc89gXuwGYf2V9qf3o1U6cMajjs/view?usp=driv…
Video Questions_Advanced Searching Parts 1 and 2
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tgEyy1S9C7yXlg55zEPgJfFIWJjJ6exxFFrquboetOA…
ANSWERS Video Questions_Advanced Searching Parts 1 and 2
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BrAVNI6c9elZ7LJbzTUHjLgRNPIruz2TyX_LwYawL20…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

szana
ALSDE LOGO

This site may contain links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness by us. WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THIS SITE.
Alabama Learning Exchange © 2002-2023 by Alabama State Department of Education is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Design by Adaptive Theme