Newspaper Databases Presentation - Year 12 CAFS

Last week, I had the opportunity to present a research skills lesson to a Year 12 Community and Family Studies Class. They are undertaking an assessment task that requires them to locate newspaper articles on homeless people and the aged.

I embraced this opportunity given how I value the role of newspapers in education and would like to see students engage with newspapers (preferably in print form but digitally as a minimum) to locate valuable and reliable material.

The presentation focused on:

• How to access newspaper databases via the State Library of NSW
• Use of Boolean operators and filters within databases to narrow down their search results
• Evaluate the usefulness and reliability of articles using the RAVEN source evaluation model (similar to CRAPP)
• How to save and back up articles relevant to their research for the task.

I focused on the following databases:

• Australia and New Zealand Newsstream (Proquest) - I performed a live demonstration on the screen of how to use filters, e.g. selecting publications, timeframes, etc
• Sydney Morning Herald (Library Edition)
• PressReader
• Newsbank & Factiva (alternatives for broader searches)

I even showed the students how to download, save and email articles to their inboxes and obtain an academic citation for their reference list or bibliography, as databases such as Australia and New Zealand Newstream can prepare them for you in line with referencing systems. 

One key aspect of the presentation was debunking Google or search engines as the best place to find news as databases are:

• More reliable and credible
• Current
• Relevant to Research
• Able to provide better search options
• Able to offer more options such as newspapers, archives and regional news
• Able to filter out "fake news" or unreliable sources

The weaknesses of a Google search are:

• Results are not always reliable
• Based on what it thinks that you, the user wants
• Preference to list "popular" results at the top of search results
• Paywalls

The students certainly enjoyed the presentation and hopefully do well. The students asked me some great questions; many of them are regulars in the library for their study periods or simply visiting during their break times. 

Assignment Planning & Google Calendars

I have had the opportunity while filling in at Marist College Eastwood for the first part of this term to facilitate study skills seminars.

This week, I focused on  Assignment Planning and Bibliographies.

Bibliographies was fairly simple, with students completing activities and notes based on the details that they need to include. I was impressed with what they know about plagiarism but also curious as to why particular details like publishers and the place of location must be included. One concern, they mention that only websites are listed. I had to remind them of the formats of sources that can be used.

The focus of this entry is on Assignment Planners. One habit I observe is the last minute rush that occurs to complete an assignment. Students easily fall into a trap in holding off assignments.

I focused on their purpose and the benefits of assignment planners. Then I got them to list the steps that they need to undertake to complete an upcoming assignment.

Once they had listed their steps, the information was transferred onto their Google Calendar. I guided them through the steps in posting each step and how Google Calendars can remind them of when other learning tasks are due. They can easily organise their time.

I even required students to list when they intend to visit the library and to see their teachers, because they are important steps in the research process. How will one obtain information if they don't visit the library? How can one get help at the last minute as opposed to when the task is handed out? As the assignment involves creating an object or model, I went a step further and asked them if they do their research before making the model or after they make the model.

We near the end of the week and yes some of them have dropped in to view the resources we have prepared for them. I look forward to seeing more in the days ahead.

More reflections on Study Skills

Ten Days has passed, and obviously have been thinking more on this topic

I have had some conversations with colleagues at school and elsewhere and the big challenge is that study skills are different for each subject area and its the faculty that needs to come up with ideas on how to do it.

As a Teacher Librarian, I would need to collaborate with them in this area. It does give me a challenge. I don't specialise in every subject and would need to find out what the requirements are for each subject, but I would enjoy that challenge and gaining an insight into the skills needed for each subject.

I would have to work off a common set of skills needed, and then apply it to that subject.

Also I have been researching the various organisations that provide study skills seminars to students. I have felt that there are unanswered questions and whether or not the people facilitating them are educators given that study skills need to relate back to the curriculum.

I'll have to keep working on it next term, particularly as I become "on call" again as a Casual Teacher. If you know of anyone who needs a T/L to fill in, please feel free to contact me.

Skills for Study and Lifelong Learning

Another idea which has come into my mind in recent times has been study skills and the need to provide students with skills that they need for lifelong learning.

Just finding resources is a real challenge - whether it is printed material or material that has been published by schools or universities. And the bigger challenge - How does it apply to Australian settings?

There are simply so many things to consider when we teach information literacy and lifelong learning skills:

• Time Management - So many kids complain of being "too busy", when with an organised schedule, they can get the most of the time that they have for study and fun.
• The process of doing assignments and preparing for exams.
• Reading and comprehending information.
• Academic Integrity (referencing and bibliographies)
• Text Types
• Well being through school
• Library skills
• Internet search skills
• Learning to use a variety of resources and not rely merely on Google. 

I have been using my time this term to begin to waddle through this information and try to create a set of resources to help students succeed in their studies. I have been focusing on workshops etc and have tried to offer them at a school where I am filling in this term. Students have been very reluctant to take advantage of what is available to them. 

It feels like my head is going on several paths this term, but it will be interesting to see where it heads.