I searched using Google for a web-site that provided good information and resources for educators and children. The web-site I chose I have come across many times during this semester when searching for different resources to fulfill the blog competencies.
Storynory is a site full of audio stories that range from fairy tales to myths to new releases. One can choose to subscribe to the RSS feed and/or to receive emails. Have a tool like storynory aids in reaching students who may be reluctant to pick up a book. In addition; I-pods have become so popular, and Storynory can be downloaded from I-tunes to utilize when away from home as well.
Boys enjoying books!
Reading with smiles
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Competency 8 - Multimedia
I am always looking for strategies to reach reluctant readers. So many times restrictions on what a student can read hinder the pure pleasure of reading to because it is enjoyable. It is also so sad that know that negative connotations are related to children who enjoy reading and learning. I found this image when searching through Texas Woman's University's databases. It is interesting to see how children view themselves and others.
Buggey, T. (2007, Summer). Storyboard for Ivan's morning routine. Diagram. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 9(3), 151. Retrieved April 24, 2010 from Academic Search Premier database.
http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2052/img/imageqv/actual/6q6/20071201/5710547.jpg?ephost1=dGJyMNLe80Sepq84v%2bbwOLCmr0iepq5Srqa4SK6WxWXS
Buggey, T. (2007, Summer). Storyboard for Ivan's morning routine. Diagram. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 9(3), 151. Retrieved April 24, 2010 from Academic Search Premier database.
http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2052/img/imageqv/actual/6q6/20071201/5710547.jpg?ephost1=dGJyMNLe80Sepq84v%2bbwOLCmr0iepq5Srqa4SK6WxWXS
Competency 6 - Searching Databases (4th search)
Search Strategy 4 - Building Block Strategy
Naive Question: What types of duties might elementary school librarians have?
For my 4th database search I chose to use the building block strategy. As I've previously mentioned, I sometimes struggle with choosing the best facets to begin my search. The building block strategy really is all about those facets. Therefore, using this strategy will be good practice to help me improve in this area. Using this strategy, one must come up with terms and then combine them using Boolean logic to create searching statements. Terms can then be added or taken away as needed to find relevant information.
I looked through the remaining databases provided. My 3rd search using Library Literature was a very successful search. Since I have already used this question, I browsed to get an idea where I might have some more success. I finally decided on World Cat. I have used this database once before. One of my goals during this search is to gain experience modifying my facets and using a database I am somewhat familiar with gives me a comfort level to explore.
Search World Cat:
I again looked at my question and decided on facet terms. Using the thesaurus on World Cat, I entered each facet separately to find key terms and synonym(s) to use while searching. When using the thesaurus, I expanded the results as needed to find additional terms that might prove helpful during my search.
Facets/Key Terms:
facets: duties, librarian, elementary school
1st facet: duties - duty
key terms: responsibility, educational accountability, job description, role
2nd facet: elementary school
key terms: elementary school, school
3rd facet: librarian
key terms: elementary school librarian, instructional materials personnel, school librarians, teacher-librarian
Retrieval Results:
According to the building block strategy, I now need to combine my terms using Boolean logic to create my search statement.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss1: (duty OR responsibility) AND (elementary school OR elementary school libraries) AND (librarian* OR elementary school librarian OR teacher librarian*)
results: 0
notes: This search produced no results. I will change my statement and perform another search.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss2: (duty OR job description*) AND (elementary school) AND (librarian*)
results: 0
notes: This search produced no results. I will change my statement and perform another search.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss3: (duty OR job description*) AND (librarian* OR teacher librarian*)
results: 435
notes: I immediately realized that many of the hits were outdated. Therefore, I went back and completed the same search but applied a date limiter (1995-2010) to receive current information.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss4: (duty OR job description*) AND (librarian* OR teacher librarian*)
date limiter: 1995-2010
results: 3
notes: The 3 records I retrieved were relevant; however, I realize I must be missing other good information. I will complete another search and broaden my statement.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss5: (dut* OR job description*) AND (librar*) AND (school*)
results: 75
notes: This was a good search. However, I still want to be sure that I am retrieving current information. I will complete the same search again but apply a date limiter. However, I will not limit it as much as I did before: 1990-2010.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss6: (dut* OR job description*) AND (librar*) AND (school*)
date limiter: 1995-2010
results: 16
notes: The results retrieved this time applying the date limiter were much better than the previous time. I read through the retrieval list and was satisfied with the information that was present.
Conclusion:
I was surprised initially at the lack of information I was retrieving. Although I realize my questions is somewhat broad, I have had success searching other databases. I had to remember that in previous searches I did not limit my searches by dates. This possibly plays a part in my receiving not as much information. This search highlighted the importance of becoming familiar with the various databases and search strategies. By know which database will be most effective, a lot of time and frustration can be eliminated. I also not grasp the role truncation plays in a search. When used properly, it makes a significant difference.
My selections:
Detwiler, G. (1990). Teacher and librarian perceptions of the elementary library media
specialist's role. Thesis (M.S.)--Central Missouri State University, 1990.
Zmuda, A., & Harada, V.H. (2008). Librarians as learning specialists: Meeting the learning
imperative for the 21st century. Westport, Conn: Libraries unlimited.
Naive Question: What types of duties might elementary school librarians have?
For my 4th database search I chose to use the building block strategy. As I've previously mentioned, I sometimes struggle with choosing the best facets to begin my search. The building block strategy really is all about those facets. Therefore, using this strategy will be good practice to help me improve in this area. Using this strategy, one must come up with terms and then combine them using Boolean logic to create searching statements. Terms can then be added or taken away as needed to find relevant information.
I looked through the remaining databases provided. My 3rd search using Library Literature was a very successful search. Since I have already used this question, I browsed to get an idea where I might have some more success. I finally decided on World Cat. I have used this database once before. One of my goals during this search is to gain experience modifying my facets and using a database I am somewhat familiar with gives me a comfort level to explore.
Search World Cat:
I again looked at my question and decided on facet terms. Using the thesaurus on World Cat, I entered each facet separately to find key terms and synonym(s) to use while searching. When using the thesaurus, I expanded the results as needed to find additional terms that might prove helpful during my search.
Facets/Key Terms:
facets: duties, librarian, elementary school
1st facet: duties - duty
key terms: responsibility, educational accountability, job description, role
2nd facet: elementary school
key terms: elementary school, school
3rd facet: librarian
key terms: elementary school librarian, instructional materials personnel, school librarians, teacher-librarian
Retrieval Results:
According to the building block strategy, I now need to combine my terms using Boolean logic to create my search statement.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss1: (duty OR responsibility) AND (elementary school OR elementary school libraries) AND (librarian* OR elementary school librarian OR teacher librarian*)
results: 0
notes: This search produced no results. I will change my statement and perform another search.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss2: (duty OR job description*) AND (elementary school) AND (librarian*)
results: 0
notes: This search produced no results. I will change my statement and perform another search.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss3: (duty OR job description*) AND (librarian* OR teacher librarian*)
results: 435
notes: I immediately realized that many of the hits were outdated. Therefore, I went back and completed the same search but applied a date limiter (1995-2010) to receive current information.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss4: (duty OR job description*) AND (librarian* OR teacher librarian*)
date limiter: 1995-2010
results: 3
notes: The 3 records I retrieved were relevant; however, I realize I must be missing other good information. I will complete another search and broaden my statement.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss5: (dut* OR job description*) AND (librar*) AND (school*)
results: 75
notes: This was a good search. However, I still want to be sure that I am retrieving current information. I will complete the same search again but apply a date limiter. However, I will not limit it as much as I did before: 1990-2010.
using the advanced search mode - subject headings
ss6: (dut* OR job description*) AND (librar*) AND (school*)
date limiter: 1995-2010
results: 16
notes: The results retrieved this time applying the date limiter were much better than the previous time. I read through the retrieval list and was satisfied with the information that was present.
Conclusion:
I was surprised initially at the lack of information I was retrieving. Although I realize my questions is somewhat broad, I have had success searching other databases. I had to remember that in previous searches I did not limit my searches by dates. This possibly plays a part in my receiving not as much information. This search highlighted the importance of becoming familiar with the various databases and search strategies. By know which database will be most effective, a lot of time and frustration can be eliminated. I also not grasp the role truncation plays in a search. When used properly, it makes a significant difference.
My selections:
Detwiler, G. (1990). Teacher and librarian perceptions of the elementary library media
specialist's role. Thesis (M.S.)--Central Missouri State University, 1990.
Zmuda, A., & Harada, V.H. (2008). Librarians as learning specialists: Meeting the learning
imperative for the 21st century. Westport, Conn: Libraries unlimited.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Competency 7 - Image
I found this picture on East Lansing Public Library page on April 6, 2010. The link to this page is http://www.elpl.org/category/architecture/summer-reading/kids-summer-reading.
As a librarian, my goal is to offer children a chance to explore all facets of literature. I want them to learn to read simply for the love of it. With so much pressure students of today face, many times the library and reading are associated with assignments and work. The joy is lost; consequently, students are missing out on a whole world out there.
I chose this picture because of the joy I see on the young boys' faces as they are looking at a book. It exemplifies the very reason I wanted to become a librarian.
East Lansing Public Library. (2010). Image depicting a summer reading program for children. Retrieved from http://online.twu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_204485_1%26url%3D.
As a librarian, my goal is to offer children a chance to explore all facets of literature. I want them to learn to read simply for the love of it. With so much pressure students of today face, many times the library and reading are associated with assignments and work. The joy is lost; consequently, students are missing out on a whole world out there.
I chose this picture because of the joy I see on the young boys' faces as they are looking at a book. It exemplifies the very reason I wanted to become a librarian.
East Lansing Public Library. (2010). Image depicting a summer reading program for children. Retrieved from http://online.twu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_204485_1%26url%3D.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Dialog Competency
Searching Dialog - using the ERIC database
Strategy used: Building Block Strategy
Naive question: Are there any state laws concerning distance education in the pubic schools?
Facet and Key Terms:
Facet 1: state law
term(s): state regulation
Facet 2: distance education
term(s): online learning, E-learning
Facet 3: public school
term(s): school
I logged on to Dialog. In the command box I entered "B1" which allowed me to access the ERIC database.
In the command box I entered the following commands one at a time to create my searching statement using the building block strategy. When each facet/term were entered, Dialog displays the term and the number of results. At times I used the "?" in to include other forms of the word I was searching.
ssstate law - 0 results
ssstate regulation? - 978 results
ssdistance education - 11733 results
ssonline learning - 1 result
ssE-learning - 0 results
sspublic school - 20217 results
Now that my terms were entered, I combined them to form a searching statement. I chose not to search state law because it turned up 0 results. I elected to use state regulation instead. Distance education had more items so that is why I added that next and finished up with public school.
1st statement
ssstate regulation AND distance education AND public school - 0 results
Notes: I was surprised that there were no results. I decided to add state law next and search again.
2nd statement
ssstate law OR state regulation? AND distance education AND public school - 0 results
Notes: Again, my search yielded 0 results. I entered ds in the command box so that I could see all of the items I had searched. I then combined s2 and s7 which formed my final searching statement below.
3rd statement
ssstate regulation AND distance education OR online learning OR E-learning - 22 results
Notes: I was pleased with the results of my last searching statement. I found several hits that were pertinent to my question. One titled State Policies for Distance Education: A Survey of the States dated March 1999 seemed to be the most relevant.
Conclusion:
Dialog is not difficult to use; however, it is different than what I have been using. One I know the commands, I feel that using Dialog would be easier and even less stressful than others.
Strategy used: Building Block Strategy
Naive question: Are there any state laws concerning distance education in the pubic schools?
Facet and Key Terms:
Facet 1: state law
term(s): state regulation
Facet 2: distance education
term(s): online learning, E-learning
Facet 3: public school
term(s): school
I logged on to Dialog. In the command box I entered "B1" which allowed me to access the ERIC database.
In the command box I entered the following commands one at a time to create my searching statement using the building block strategy. When each facet/term were entered, Dialog displays the term and the number of results. At times I used the "?" in to include other forms of the word I was searching.
ssstate law - 0 results
ssstate regulation? - 978 results
ssdistance education - 11733 results
ssonline learning - 1 result
ssE-learning - 0 results
sspublic school - 20217 results
Now that my terms were entered, I combined them to form a searching statement. I chose not to search state law because it turned up 0 results. I elected to use state regulation instead. Distance education had more items so that is why I added that next and finished up with public school.
1st statement
ssstate regulation AND distance education AND public school - 0 results
Notes: I was surprised that there were no results. I decided to add state law next and search again.
2nd statement
ssstate law OR state regulation? AND distance education AND public school - 0 results
Notes: Again, my search yielded 0 results. I entered ds in the command box so that I could see all of the items I had searched. I then combined s2 and s7 which formed my final searching statement below.
3rd statement
ssstate regulation AND distance education OR online learning OR E-learning - 22 results
Notes: I was pleased with the results of my last searching statement. I found several hits that were pertinent to my question. One titled State Policies for Distance Education: A Survey of the States dated March 1999 seemed to be the most relevant.
Conclusion:
Dialog is not difficult to use; however, it is different than what I have been using. One I know the commands, I feel that using Dialog would be easier and even less stressful than others.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Competency 6 - Searching Databases (3rd Search)
Search Strategy 3 - Specific Facet First
Naive Question: What types of duties might elementary school librarians have?
For my 3rd search, I chose to use the specific facet first strategy. This strategy is good to use when you are not sure if there is much information available in regard to the question. I have searched this question using two other strategies in two different databases. In one database, I was not satisfied, while the 2nd search proved successful. With this type of mixed results, the specific facet first approach should work well.
Using this approach, you begin the search with the most unique facet. Each time you search you can add other facets as needed stopping when you feel that you have the most pertinent results.
As I've stated before, I have had difficulty choosing the main facets so using the specific facet first strategy will be good practice in this area.
I chose the Library Literature database which I have used before. I searched a question similar to this question with adequate but not great results. I want to see if my experience, the change in question, and the strategy improve my results.
Searching Library Literature:
I first chose facets and key terms. Next I searched the thesaurus to get for additional subject terms. N
Facet: duty/duties
Key terms: job responsibilities, roles
Thesaurus terms: duties of librarian
Facet: elementary school
Key terms: grade school
Thesaurus terms: Using the db's thesaurus, there were not additional relevant terms.
Facet: librarian*
Key terms: school librarian
Thesaurus terms: teacher-librarians, children's librarians, media specialist
Facet Retrieval Results:
ss1: (job responsibili* OR duties of librarian*) - 735 results
ss2: (elementary school OR grade school) 36 results
ss3: (school librarian* OR teacher librarian* OR children's librarian* OR media specialist) - 1689 results
Narrowing the search:
According to the specific facet first strategy, you should begin the search with the most unique facet that produces the least results. Next you add a second facet to produce more pertinent results. This process continues with you gradually adding facets as needed in order to retrieve the most relevant information. Following this strategy, I performed the following searches.
1st search
using the advanced search- subject headings
(elementary school OR grade school) AND (duties of librarian*)
Results: 0
Notes: This search provided no results. The term "grade school" seemed ambiguous; therefore, losing the focus of the search.
2nd search
using the advanced search - subject headings
(elementary school) AND (duties of librarian*)
Results: 2
Notes: I am still not getting any recall. The search is much too narrow to retrieve information relevant to the question.
3rd Search
using the advanced search - subject headings
(elementary school) AND (duties of librarian*) AND (school librarian* OR teacher librarian* OR children's librarian* OR media specialist)
results: 0
Notes: I am not having any success here. I noted earlier that "duties of librarian" was essentially the information I am seeking. However, I needed to try the other facets so that I don't miss any relevant information. In reflecting on this, I will create a search statement focusing primarily on the information being sought.
4th search
using the advanced search - subject headings
(duties of librarian*) AND (school librarian* OR children's librarian*)
results: 62
Notes: I am pleased with the outcome of this search. In scanning the information, I find many records pertinent to my search.
Conclusion:
I found this strategy and database worked really well for the information I was seeking. When I searched the thesaurus for duties, I found duties of librarian. This seemed almost spot on for what I was searching. The thesaurus was not much help for finding terms similar to elementary school. However; during the course of my search, I realized that this was not needed. When I next searched for librarian, I found school librarian and children's librarian. Those terms eliminated the need for elementary school in my search statement.
The terms "duties of librarian*" with the addition of "school librarian" was exactly the information I was seeking. I still performed the various searches using the strategy to gain a better understanding of that process. Just as I predicted, the search was too narrow to retrieve any relevant information. Once I used the searching statement that contained the best facets, I received a satisfactory retrieval list.
Sixty-two results is a good amount of information to sift through to find the best results. In self-reflection, I realize that I have had a difficult time choosing the main facets which has made many of my searching attempts frustrating. However, using the specifics facet first strategy was easier for me and helped me see how to pick the most unique facet. I also feel that this particular database was an excellent choice for my question which also made the searching process less frustrating. I want to apply what I have learned using this strategy to other strategies when choosing my facet and key terms.
My selections:
Coatney, S. (2008). Library Media Specialist - Not a Job for the Faint of Heart!. Teacher
Librarian, 35(3),57. Retrieved March 20, 2010, from Library Lit. & Inf. Full Text
database.
Harvey, C. (2009). What should an Administrator expect a School Library Media Specialist to
be?. Library Media Connection, 28(2),45. Retrieved March 20, 2010 from Library Lit &
Inf Full Text database.
Shankles, R. (2008). What a School Librarian Does All the Live-long Day...Arkansas
Libraries, 65(1),33-7. Retrieved March 20, 2010 from Library Lit & Inf Full Text
database.
Naive Question: What types of duties might elementary school librarians have?
For my 3rd search, I chose to use the specific facet first strategy. This strategy is good to use when you are not sure if there is much information available in regard to the question. I have searched this question using two other strategies in two different databases. In one database, I was not satisfied, while the 2nd search proved successful. With this type of mixed results, the specific facet first approach should work well.
Using this approach, you begin the search with the most unique facet. Each time you search you can add other facets as needed stopping when you feel that you have the most pertinent results.
As I've stated before, I have had difficulty choosing the main facets so using the specific facet first strategy will be good practice in this area.
I chose the Library Literature database which I have used before. I searched a question similar to this question with adequate but not great results. I want to see if my experience, the change in question, and the strategy improve my results.
Searching Library Literature:
I first chose facets and key terms. Next I searched the thesaurus to get for additional subject terms. N
Facet: duty/duties
Key terms: job responsibilities, roles
Thesaurus terms: duties of librarian
Facet: elementary school
Key terms: grade school
Thesaurus terms: Using the db's thesaurus, there were not additional relevant terms.
Facet: librarian*
Key terms: school librarian
Thesaurus terms: teacher-librarians, children's librarians, media specialist
Facet Retrieval Results:
ss1: (job responsibili* OR duties of librarian*) - 735 results
ss2: (elementary school OR grade school) 36 results
ss3: (school librarian* OR teacher librarian* OR children's librarian* OR media specialist) - 1689 results
Narrowing the search:
According to the specific facet first strategy, you should begin the search with the most unique facet that produces the least results. Next you add a second facet to produce more pertinent results. This process continues with you gradually adding facets as needed in order to retrieve the most relevant information. Following this strategy, I performed the following searches.
1st search
using the advanced search- subject headings
(elementary school OR grade school) AND (duties of librarian*)
Results: 0
Notes: This search provided no results. The term "grade school" seemed ambiguous; therefore, losing the focus of the search.
2nd search
using the advanced search - subject headings
(elementary school) AND (duties of librarian*)
Results: 2
Notes: I am still not getting any recall. The search is much too narrow to retrieve information relevant to the question.
3rd Search
using the advanced search - subject headings
(elementary school) AND (duties of librarian*) AND (school librarian* OR teacher librarian* OR children's librarian* OR media specialist)
results: 0
Notes: I am not having any success here. I noted earlier that "duties of librarian" was essentially the information I am seeking. However, I needed to try the other facets so that I don't miss any relevant information. In reflecting on this, I will create a search statement focusing primarily on the information being sought.
4th search
using the advanced search - subject headings
(duties of librarian*) AND (school librarian* OR children's librarian*)
results: 62
Notes: I am pleased with the outcome of this search. In scanning the information, I find many records pertinent to my search.
Conclusion:
I found this strategy and database worked really well for the information I was seeking. When I searched the thesaurus for duties, I found duties of librarian. This seemed almost spot on for what I was searching. The thesaurus was not much help for finding terms similar to elementary school. However; during the course of my search, I realized that this was not needed. When I next searched for librarian, I found school librarian and children's librarian. Those terms eliminated the need for elementary school in my search statement.
The terms "duties of librarian*" with the addition of "school librarian" was exactly the information I was seeking. I still performed the various searches using the strategy to gain a better understanding of that process. Just as I predicted, the search was too narrow to retrieve any relevant information. Once I used the searching statement that contained the best facets, I received a satisfactory retrieval list.
Sixty-two results is a good amount of information to sift through to find the best results. In self-reflection, I realize that I have had a difficult time choosing the main facets which has made many of my searching attempts frustrating. However, using the specifics facet first strategy was easier for me and helped me see how to pick the most unique facet. I also feel that this particular database was an excellent choice for my question which also made the searching process less frustrating. I want to apply what I have learned using this strategy to other strategies when choosing my facet and key terms.
My selections:
Coatney, S. (2008). Library Media Specialist - Not a Job for the Faint of Heart!. Teacher
Librarian, 35(3),57. Retrieved March 20, 2010, from Library Lit. & Inf. Full Text
database.
Harvey, C. (2009). What should an Administrator expect a School Library Media Specialist to
be?. Library Media Connection, 28(2),45. Retrieved March 20, 2010 from Library Lit &
Inf Full Text database.
Shankles, R. (2008). What a School Librarian Does All the Live-long Day...Arkansas
Libraries, 65(1),33-7. Retrieved March 20, 2010 from Library Lit & Inf Full Text
database.
Competency 6 - Searching Databases (2nd search)
Search Strategy 2 - Pearl Growing aka The Snowball Approach
Naive Question: What types of duties might elementary school librarians have?
I began looking through the databases and search strategies provided to determine where and how I should begin my 2nd search. My first search was using the successive fractions approach so I decided to use the pearl growing or snowball approach because it was the opposite type of search. This approach essentially works by identifying one pertinent item or record previously found and then using terms, records, keywords, and phrases found withing that item to create another search. This continues until you are satisfied with the hits that are generated.
I chose to use the Academic Search Complete database because I did not have a lot of good hits previously, and this database should contain more records related to my question. It is also a user friendly database for even beginner searchers.
Searching Academic Search Complete:
I began my pearl growing search strategy by selecting a pertinent record I found during my previous search. I did a title search on this item and selected relevant subject terms to create my Boolean statement.
Known item:
Riedling, A. M. (2001). In Search of Who We Are: The School Library Media Specialist in
in the 21st Century. Book Report. 20(3, 28-30, 32.
Related Subject Terms:
school librarians
job descriptions
ss1 (using advanced search and subject headings)
(school librarian*) AND (job description*)
Results: 12
Notes: Though there were only 12 hits, they were all relevant to my search. However, I realize I might be missing pertinent information. I decided to look through the results to find additional related subject terms.
Related Subject Terms:
school librarians
job descriptions
occupations
**In looking through the 12 results, I basically found the two previous subject terms I used to search. I did find one additional term I felt was worth a try: occupations.
ss2 (using advanced search and subject terms)
(school librarian*) AND (job description* OR occupation)
Results: 14
Notes: I received 14 hits this time; however, they were not all relevant information. I lost some pertinent information and gained junk by adding the word "occupation" to my search statement.
Conclusion:
I found the pearl growing strategy to be extremely effective in helping me find relevant information. I'm not sure if it is all of the the searching practice I am doing, but I found this strategy to be easier. I located a known title and used subject terms found with that result. By doing this, my search was very focused on the information I was seeking.
Additionally, I applied truncation to my searches because of past experiences. I did not want to leave out pertinent information due to limiting my search to only certain forms of the important words.
My selections:
Riedling, A. (20031. In Search of Who We Are: The School Library Media Specialist in the 21st
Century. Book Report, 20(3), 28. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete Database.
Yucht. A. (2000). Management Mantras. Teacher Librarian, 27(5), 32. Retrieved from
Academic Search Complete Database.
Zmuda, A., & Harada, V. (2008). Reframing the Library Media Specialist as a Learning
Specialist. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 24(8), 42-46. Retrieved from
Academic Search Complete database.
Naive Question: What types of duties might elementary school librarians have?
I began looking through the databases and search strategies provided to determine where and how I should begin my 2nd search. My first search was using the successive fractions approach so I decided to use the pearl growing or snowball approach because it was the opposite type of search. This approach essentially works by identifying one pertinent item or record previously found and then using terms, records, keywords, and phrases found withing that item to create another search. This continues until you are satisfied with the hits that are generated.
I chose to use the Academic Search Complete database because I did not have a lot of good hits previously, and this database should contain more records related to my question. It is also a user friendly database for even beginner searchers.
Searching Academic Search Complete:
I began my pearl growing search strategy by selecting a pertinent record I found during my previous search. I did a title search on this item and selected relevant subject terms to create my Boolean statement.
Known item:
Riedling, A. M. (2001). In Search of Who We Are: The School Library Media Specialist in
in the 21st Century. Book Report. 20(3, 28-30, 32.
Related Subject Terms:
school librarians
job descriptions
ss1 (using advanced search and subject headings)
(school librarian*) AND (job description*)
Results: 12
Notes: Though there were only 12 hits, they were all relevant to my search. However, I realize I might be missing pertinent information. I decided to look through the results to find additional related subject terms.
Related Subject Terms:
school librarians
job descriptions
occupations
**In looking through the 12 results, I basically found the two previous subject terms I used to search. I did find one additional term I felt was worth a try: occupations.
ss2 (using advanced search and subject terms)
(school librarian*) AND (job description* OR occupation)
Results: 14
Notes: I received 14 hits this time; however, they were not all relevant information. I lost some pertinent information and gained junk by adding the word "occupation" to my search statement.
Conclusion:
I found the pearl growing strategy to be extremely effective in helping me find relevant information. I'm not sure if it is all of the the searching practice I am doing, but I found this strategy to be easier. I located a known title and used subject terms found with that result. By doing this, my search was very focused on the information I was seeking.
Additionally, I applied truncation to my searches because of past experiences. I did not want to leave out pertinent information due to limiting my search to only certain forms of the important words.
My selections:
Riedling, A. (20031. In Search of Who We Are: The School Library Media Specialist in the 21st
Century. Book Report, 20(3), 28. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete Database.
Yucht. A. (2000). Management Mantras. Teacher Librarian, 27(5), 32. Retrieved from
Academic Search Complete Database.
Zmuda, A., & Harada, V. (2008). Reframing the Library Media Specialist as a Learning
Specialist. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 24(8), 42-46. Retrieved from
Academic Search Complete database.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)