Research and Reference Tools Educational Databases, Evaluation, and Citation Tools
The following are educational databases that provide reliable and valid information while saving search time. Use these educational databases and citation tools to improve your access to information.
MEL (Michigan eLibrary)
Click on the MEL image to see a video that will walk you through using the MEL databases.
Michigan eLibrary is an educational database available to any Michigan school, library or citizen of Michigan. All public schools have access to this through their school library. (eFull text magazines and newspapers, practice testing for GED, ACT, Careers, SAT, etc.) MEL has 46 databases where you can read full text articles from magazines and newspapers; find current reference sources; use advanced search functions; cite sources. The advantage of this site is that the information is valid and reliable, and limited in comparison to a search performed within a search engine like Google or Yahoo.
This service is funded by the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library of Michigan. It is accessible to all Michigan residents with a valid drivers license or State ID number.
More Online Resources for Educators: Locate lesson plans and curriculum aids searchable by subject or state standard for free at http://www.mel.org .
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Aligned to NETS-T: 1.a, 1.b, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c, 3.a., 3.d, 4.b
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The Reference Desk
News, information, calendars, translations, newspapers, resources, search engines, and facts are all one click away with this site. One-stop shopping for facts and information.
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Aligned to NETS-T: 1.b, 2.1, 2.b, 2.c, 3.a, 4.b
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Wikipedia: Avoid the Pitfalls!
What in the world is a wiki?
A wiki is a web page under constant revisions - anyone can become a participant and the page is constantly edited for content. There are many examples of wikis, but in many school districts they are blocked.
What is Wikipedia?
Explore the origins of Wikipedia, and the pros and cons of using one of the top ten sites visited on the Internet. This site, often a topic of hot debate, is a form of Wiki in which anyone can edit its content. Although the company has put controls in place after much scrutiny, it is NOT a place where students should be directed for valid or reliable information. There are many examples in which postings have been made to Wikipedia which are inaccurate, untrue, or just plain false. Clilck on the link to check out this example of how Wikipedia has been abused.
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Aligned to NETS-T: 1.b, 2.a, 2.b, 2.c, 3.a, 4.a, 4.b, 4.c
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Citation Makers
David Warlick's Citation Machine allows students to select from a variety of media formats (books, journals, online, encyclopedias, etc.) to create citations in multiple formats (APA, MLA, Turabian, or Chicago).
View a Screencast-o-matic video on Landmark's Citation Machine.
Other FREE Citation Tools
Click here to explore the bib tools and citation makers listed below.
21things Hands-On Activity and Assignment:
Using the http://www.mel.org site, complete the following activities to evaluate educational databases.
1. Student Research: Select one of the pairs of databases below to compare/contrast the appropriateness, usability, content, and credibility for use within the classroom. Capture a screen shot of one of the databases, and include your compare/contrast analysis in the reflection for your portfolio.
· e-Library Elementary and Kids InfoBits
· InfoTrac Junior Edition and InfoTrac Student Edition
· SIRS Discoverer Deluxe and SIRS Renaissance
2. Advanced Research: Select one of the databases below and explore the appropriateness, usability, content, and credibility for use within the classroom. Capture a screen shot of one of the databases, and include your analysis in the reflection for your portfolio.
· Academic One File, General One File, Educators Reference Complete
3. Work Cited - 1: Using the MEL databases, complete a search for an educational topic. Create a citation for the web address using the citation tools within MEL, in either MLA or APA format. Copy and paste a screen shot and the citation into the reflection of your Portfolio.
Using other FREE Citation Makers
4. Work Cited - 2: Select one of the FREE citation makers (Ex: BibMe, LandMark Citation Machine, etc.) and create a citation for a book or journal/magazine article. Capture a screen shot of the citation tool you selected, and copy/paste the citation into the reflection of your Portfolio.
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