Points of View Reference Center Online Database

URL

http://www.ebscohost.com/public/points-of-view-reference-center

Summary

According to its website, “Points of View Reference Center™ is a full-text database designed to provide students with a series of essays that present multiple sides of a current issue.” There are more than 280 topics available. Each topic has an overview, a point, a counterpoint, and a critical thinking guide. Once a student chooses a topic, these essays provide them with information that he can use to help write research projects. Topics include affirmative action, cloning, DNA profiling, slavery, sex education, abortion, and more. There are many different types of primary sources such as radio and television transcripts, newspaper articles, and references books. Links within the essays provide students with access to more full-text articles. A research guide helps students create essay outlines and cite sources. Each topic includes a visual component such as charts and graphs. Furthermore, students have the ability to post on blogs about topics to discuss the issue with other students.

Evaluation

This database is an excellent tool to help students do research for papers and projects. The topics are interesting and current. For example, the section “In the Spotlight” discusses Occupy Wall Street, a popular topic many students would like to understand. Points of View makes researching easy. The overview of each topic is an objective, fact-based description of the subject matter. The next essay is the point, or argument supporting it. Next, students read the counterpoint, or opposing argument. Because each topic has a point and counterpoint essay, and within these essays are links to articles and primary documents, the information is balanced. The Critical Thinking Guide helps students differentiate between fact and opinion, which improves their critical thinking skills. Furthermore, ideas for essays, research projects, and guides for debate are presented. Colorful charts and graphs present the information in a visually appealing way. The new blog feature creates a discussion forum for students to talk about their ideas with others, even if they are not in the same school. This database is designed with students’ interests in mind and because it has made it easy to do research, students will find the task of writing a research report or essay less formidable.

Why I Included it

I am embarrassed that I did not know Points of View was there. I had no idea we had it at our library. More than that, students can access it FROM ANY TIME, and from any computer. You don’t have to be at school to do online research! What is depressing is our district spends $34,000 on this subscription annually, but it’s hardly ever used. I think it’s because they are like me and don’t know it exists. Well, I am spreading the word. And I am looking forward to showing this to my students. USE IT!!!! If we don’t, we might lose it.

World Book Student

World Book Student Online Encyclopedia

URL

http://www.worldbook.com/browse-all-products/item/429-world-book-student

Summary

World Book Student Online Encyclopedia is offered through the school’s library website. It has multiple ways for students to conduct a search for information. First, students can type in a topic in the Search field. There is also the option of “Other Ways to Find it” where students can search by content or by images and videos. If they choose to search by content, they click on By subject, Alphabetically, or Dictionary. If they choose to search for images and videos, they can choose By title or Atlas. Other items include the Featured Video where students can watch an interesting video about a topic and familiarize themselves with videos they may search for in the future. There is a Behind the Headlines section where they can “get the scoop on current events,” and three topics are listed as possibilities. An Explore section allows the student to “Explore World Book’s rich collection of articles, tables, maps, and multimedia on the world” and includes links to Explore California, Explore the World, and Compare Places. Another section is comprised of links to Most Popular Articles and includes Writing Skills, World War I, and the Navy on the particular day I studied this website. Furthermore, the Biography Center allows students to find topics for biography projects and lists links to Inventors, Explorers, Painters, World Leaders, Athletes, and Authors. Students might be interested in the Quizzes and Activities links. Finally, there is a section to help students “compile, create, and save…research projects with World Book’s research tools: Citation Builder, How to Do Research, My Research, and Timelines.” As if this website were not enough, students may switch to any other of the World Book Sites: World Book Discover, World Book Advanced, World Book Hallazgos (in Spanish), and World Book Kids.

Evaluation

Here is the description of the World Book Student Online Encyclopedia:

World Book Student is a comprehensive site that includes a collection of content, features, and tools specifically developed to make online knowledge accessible and easy to integrate into lesson planning. It is loaded with information and features that will help students perform their research. The site features the entire World Book Encyclopedia with high-interest content written at the age appropriate level that engages students.

True to this description, it does contain all the information that students might need to do research for school projects. However, the librarian and I agree that the entries are too minimal or terse for proper academic research. Despite this shortcoming, World Book Student’s selection of videos is a great source of information. The videos are informative and entertain and provide students with a good look at subjects they might not otherwise see. Also, a great feature is its Spanish language translator and read aloud capabilities. EL students love those two features. Another helpful feature is the Citation Builder. Here, students not only begin to understand the importance of citing and creating reference pages, but this tool actually helps them with the process. While students might feel the need to seek more information elsewhere, World Book Student is definitely a good place to start researching.

Why I Included it

I included this Database because my school’s library has a subscription to it. It is available on the computers in the Library Media Center, and students can also do research from home. However, despite its availability and wealth of information, the search statistics keep decreasing for both students and teachers. Many people would rather use Google or Wikipedia to search for information. Even though teachers have been given training how to use the database, it is still not being used. I would like to showcase World Book Student here in my blog to demonstrate its capabilities and encourage people to use it more.