Learning Activity

Database Debrief: Exploring Alabama Virtual Library

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

After exploring one or more databases from Alabama Virtual Library, students will share features of the database(s) that they reviewed. Students will add to the class Jamboard so that all students can see the best features of each database. The teacher will lead a class discussion on the similarities and differences between the databases during which students may volunteer or be selected to demonstrate database features for the class.

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

After/Explain/Elaborate
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Students will describe and demonstrate features that will help them use Alabama Virtual Library databases as a search tool.

Activity Details

  1. The teacher will remind students of the AVL database(s) for which they have completed a checklist.
  2. The teacher will divide students into small groups and assign each group a database to discuss. All students in the small group should have explored the same database.  
  3. The students will discuss impressive or useful features of the database their group has been assigned.
  4. The teacher will direct students to the Jamboard: AVL Database Features Debrief. If Jamboard is unavailable, another online response tool can be used, such as Padlet, or responses can be collected on chart paper or an interactive whiteboard.
  5. The teacher will direct students to add a sticky note on the Jamboard using the icon on the left of the page. The sticky note should indicate the database features that the students found most impressive or most useful. 
  6. The teacher will lead a class discussion in which they review the features students have posted.
  7. The teacher may ask for volunteers or call on students to demonstrate some of these database features.
Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will assess students’ understanding of Alabama Virtual Library databases as a search tool by monitoring student posts on the Jamboard and by monitoring the class discussion.Student responses should identify and describe database features that can be used to search for credible sources. Students should be able to demonstrate how to use these features on the AVL database.

 

Acceleration

Students who are proficient in AVL may demonstrate features for the class or explore more than one AVL database.

 

 

 

 

Intervention

Students who are overwhelmed by the amount of information on AVL should focus on just one of the databases

Approximate Duration

Total Duration

16 to 30 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:

The teacher should be familiar with Gale General OneFile, Explora for High Schools, and Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints and be prepared to point out useful features that the student may have missed. Databases can be accessed by visiting Alabama Virtual Library, clicking High School, and navigating to the icons for the three selected databases. Consider collaborating with your school librarian to add to your understanding of these databases. The teacher should make a copy of the Jamboard and post it to their learning management system. If students are not familiar with Jamboard, the teacher will need to demonstrate how to use it.  The teacher should note that the Jamboard is four pages long. Page 1 includes all three databases; pages 2-4 include one database each.  The teacher can remove pages to suit the assignment. 

Student Preparation:

Students should have completed the AVL Database Features checklists in the During Activity “Database Deep-Dive: Exploring Alabama Virtual Library.”  They will need digital devices with internet access. 

 

Materials and Resources

Materials and Resources

Materials:

Digital Tools / Resources

Jamboard: AVL Database Features
https://jamboard.google.com/d/1B7xu7mKf4YWCMTpVmNaPhtBp__9KtMZC0IH2XFX8EuU/copy

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

szana
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