SIRS Discoverer Opens a world of information to students

1
SIRS DiscovererOpens a world of information to
students Online Tutorialdiscoverer.sirs.com
proquestk12.com
2
Welcome to SIRS Discoverer
SIRS Discoverer

• An award-winning database designed with the young
  researcher in mind.
• Strengthens research, reading, writing, and
  computer skills.
• Articles and graphics from more than 1,900 U.S.
  and international magazines, newspapers, and U.S.
  government documents.

3
Welcome to SIRS Discoverer
SIRS Discoverer

• Materials are carefully selected for their
  educational content, interest, and level of
  readability.
• Because it includes middle and elementary
  curriculum topics, Discoverer can be easily
  integrated into classroom activities.

4
SIRS Discoverer WebFind
SIRS Discoverer

• Now includes Discoverer WebFind as a content set.
• Dynamically updated collection of websites.
• Websites are evaluated for research value, high
  interest, credibility, and age appropriateness.
• Sites are monitored for content changes by SIRS'
  sophisticated software.

5
SIRS Solutions Make The Grade
How Can I Utilize SIRS in My Library or Classroom?

• Supplement Outdated Textbooks
• Create Reading Lists
• Provide Pathfinders
• Curriculum Integration
• Homework Help
• Download Photographs, Graphics, Maps, Charts

• Research Papers
• Persuasive Speeches
• Debate Team Research
• Current Events Discussions
• Consult Primary Source Materials
• Analyze Statistical Data
• Find Materials Linked to State, National,
  Canadian Standards

6
Database Features
Whats Inside

• Activities
• Biographies
• Country Facts
• Careers
• Fiction
• Holidays
• Pathfinders
• Photo Essays
• Pictures
• Maps of the World
• Websites

7
Database Features
Top Pick

• Articles, images, and websites are regularly
  selected by our SIRS research team comprised of
  40 professionals with diverse educational
  backgrounds.
• Highlights interesting articles and images that
  are tied to timely themes.

8
Database Features
Pathfinders

• Research ideas to help pupils start researching
  right away. Includes
• Born this Month Biographies
• Holidays CelebrationsWorld cultures
• Challenge Quest Quiz and pathfinders aid
  information literacy
• Suggested Research Topics
• Start research with these top searches

9
Database Features
Activities

• Provides a shortcut to full-text articles that
  offer activities
• Science experiments
• Craft projects
• Writing activities
• Activities are marked with a label in the article
  results list (an a) to make them easy to identify
  within results.

10
Database Features
Biographies

• 1,500 full-text biographies of famous and
  notable people are available, including U.S.
  Presidents.
• Available in multiple reading levels.
• WebFind features sites with biographical
  information on artists, scientists, inventors,
  historical figures, and more.

11
Database Features
Fiction

• From Historical Fiction to Myths and Fairytales,
  SIRS Discoverer provides hundreds of articles,
  and websites, to suit every interest.

12
Database Features
Country Facts

• Articles with information on nearly 200
  countries.
• Printable maps, flags, population statistics,
  government information, languages spoken,
  economic data, history.
• Many countries also have links to Culture Facts.
• In addition, profiles and graphics are included
  for every U.S. State and Canadian Province.

13
Database Features
Photo Essays

• Photo Essays portray social issues and global
  concepts.
• Each topic consists of several essays containing
  photographs, maps, or other graphic elements,
  along with brief, informative text.

14
Database Features
Pictures

• Keyword search or browse for pictures using an
  alphabetical index.
• 33,000 high-quality pictures accompany
  full-text articles.
• Pictures include photographs, illustrations,
  maps, charts, and more.
• Send pictures as email attachments, or save to
  HD/CD/USB flash drives for use in presentations.

15
Database Features
Maps of the World

• More than 3,000 detailed, printable maps are
  available as an online reference almanac.
• Maps include all 50 United States, the provinces
  and territories of Canada, as well as nations and
  regions of the world.
• Includes U.S. Historical, World Historical, and
  Outline Maps.

16
Database Features
Educators Resources

• Includes a collection of materials designed to
  help librarians and library patrons.
• Access anywhere in Discoverer from a link
  provided in the footer of every page, and on the
  home page.

Additional resources and usage boosters available
_at_ proquestk12.com
17
Database Features
Educators Resources

• Podcasts
• What's New
• Email Newsletters
• Reference Toolbox
• Discoverer Workbooks
• Source Lists
• Directory of Publications
• Library Promotional Materials
• System Administrator Options
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Free online training
• More

18
Database Features
Reference Works

• Current Events
• Spotlight of the Month
• The World Almanac for Kids
• Encyclopedia Britannica

19
Database Features
Current Events

• Dynamically updated with full-text articles and
  graphics.
• New content added daily.
• Editor-selected to encourage research and
  awareness of current events.

20
Database Features
Spotlight of the Month

• Spotlight of the Month features a new topic each
  month covering timely to encourage further
  research.
• Preview the upcoming spotlight for lesson
  planning, or review the archive from the previous
  year.

21
Database Features
World Almanac

• The World Almanac for Kids provides information
  on a variety of topics including people,
  countries, animals, the environment, and history.
• Search or browse a table of contents.
• View maps and other related graphics.

22
Database Features
Encyclopedia

• Search Encyclopedia Britannica's 17,440 entries.
• Research articles and images covering science,
  math, history, cultures, ideas, the natural
  world, places, people, and more.

23
SIRS Discoverer Search Paths
Three Search Methods

• 1. Subject Tree Search
• Locate content via 15 category buttons.
• Categories are divided into sub-topics,
  or branches, creating a subject tree.
• Useful when you have a general subject in mind
  and allows you to explore many different fields
  without limiting you to predetermined topics.

24
Database Features
Three Search Methods

• 1. Subject Tree Search
• Topics appear in each category and may be
  followed by article or website titles.
• An
• Select the branch to return to that level of the
  tree.
• An indicates there are additional levels beyond
  this branch in the tree.

25
Database Features
Three Search Methods

• 2. Keyword Search
• Boolean OperatorsAND, OR, NOT
• Truncationfarm - farmers, farming
• Phrase Searchingaffirmative action
• Natural LanguageWhy is the sky blue?
• Article SortingRelevanceDateLexile

26
Database Features
Three Search Methods

• 2. Keyword Search (Advanced)
• Additional search fields available, search by
  Title or Author, or together in conjunction with
  Full-Text.
• Reading Level SelectorsEasy, Moderate,
  Challenging
• Search in almanac or encyclopedia
• Limit results to a Lexile range.

27
Database Features
Three Search Methods

• 3. Subject Headings Search
• Use this method when you have a specific research
  topic in mind.
• Articles are indexed according to Library of
  Congress subject headings.

28
Database Features
Search Results

• Results are returned with special icons and tools
  that aid in selecting content
• 1. Source Summary
• 2. Article or Website Title
• 3. Subjects
• 4. Pictures
• 5. Article Labels
• a Activity
• f Fiction
• p People
• 6. Source/Publisher
• 7. Date
• 8. Size

29
Database Features
Source Tabs Modify

• Source tabs have been added to help further
  narrow your results.
• A search box at the bottom enable users to modify
  a search without having to start over.

30
Database Features
Source Summary

• Source information accompanies every full-text
  article and website.
• Summaries are written by SIRS editors to help
  students and teachers judge relevance quickly.

31
Database Features
Full-Text Articles

• 100 Full-Text
• Keyword bolding of search terms
• Article Reading Levels
• In-line pictures support reading
• Links to related articles
• Email articles and pictures
• Print for reading or reference

32
Database Features
WebFind Sites

• Selected by subject specialists to ensure age
  appropriateness, credibility, reliability.
• Continually monitored for content changes.
• Source, Summary, and Descriptor information aids
  in determining content.
• Supports curriculum through assigned Reading
  Levels, Topics, and Subjects.

33
Database Features
Reading Levels

• Articles and sites are assigned a reading level
  according to editorial judgement, the Flesch
  Reading Ease and Lexile scale.
• Limit searches to include articles or websites of
  a single reading level or broader Lexile range,
  in any combination.

General (All grades)
Easy (Grades 1-4)
Moderate (Grades 5-7)
Challenging (Grades 8)
34
Database Features
Reading Levels
Lexile Score Table _at_ www.lexile.com

• Why use two separate reading levels?
• SIRS editorially-assigned reading levels take
  into account subject matter, depth of coverage
  and Flesch Reading Ease scale.
• Lexile Scores provide a formalized measurement by
  which students and teachers can track their
  reading progress, one of the necessary
  requirements for NCLB funding.

(All grade levels) (Grades 1-4) (Grades 5-7)
(8th Grade Beyond)
35
Database Features
Subjects

• Subjects are words or phrases based on Library of
  Congress subject headings that describe what an
  article is about and link to related articles.
• All articles and websites are hand-indexed to
  ensure relevant results.

36
Database Features
Pictures

• The Camera icon signifies that there are one or
  more pictures available.
• Select the icon to view a list.
• In addition, articles include inline thumbnail
  images, which assist researchers and create
  context.

37
Database Features
Article Labels

• a - Designates the article contains an activity.
• f - Designates the article is a work of fiction.
• p - Designates the article contains biographical
  information about a person.

38
Database Features
Email

• Users may email full-text articles and pictures
  to their personal email addresses right from the
  article display.

39
Database Features
Print

• A Print button displays at the top of each
  article.
• Allows quick and easy access to the print dialog
  box of your browser.

40
SIRS Discoverer
Additional Help

• SIRS educational and training materials meet the
  funding criteria for the No Child Left Behind
  (NCLB) Act.
• Provide a means for testing student achievement
  and highlighting performance improvement
  strategies with studentresearch worksheets.

41
SIRS Discoverer
Additional Help

• In addition, SIRS provides links to Standards
  Correlations in our Educators Resources area.
• Also online at proquestk12.com under Curriculum
  Support.

42
SIRS Discoverer
Additional Help

• Tutorial
• Dictionary Thesaurus
• Help Index
• Search Tips
• How to Cite
• Workbooks
• Educators Resources
• Bookmark

43
Additional Aids
Dictionary Thesaurus

• A dictionary and thesaurus are available to
  assist users in defining words, checking
  spelling, choosing the perfect word, and more.

44
Additional Aids
Help Index

• Context-sensitive help provides detailed
  instructions on locating articles and using
  database features.
• SIRS Discoverer's Help feature may be searched by
  keyword or table of contents.
• All database keywords are indexed for easy
  reference.

45
Additional Aids
Search Tips

• Search tips are provided in a handy reference
  sheet that can be viewed or printed.
• Review meanings and search syntax.
• Learn how to choose a search method, use Boolean
  operators, phrase searching, and more.

46
Additional Aids
How to Cite

• How to Cite provides descriptions and real
  examples on how to cite using the Modern Language
  Association Format (MLA), the American
  Psychological Association Format (APA), and
  Turabian.

47
Additional Aids
Workbooks

• SIRS workbooks contain exercises that help users
  master search methods.
• Educators Guide
• Primary School Edition, targeting grades 1-5
• Middle School Edition, targeting grades 6-8
• Available in PDF and HTML.

48
Additional Aids
Educators Resources

• Includes a collection of materials designed to
  help librarians and library patrons.
• Access anywhere in from a link provided in the
  footer of every page.

49
SIRS Source Lists More
_at_ proquestk12.com

• Download the latest source lists.
• Researcher, Discoverer, Renaissance, Decades
• Additional background information, training
  materials, posters, custom flyers, videos.
• www.proquestk12.com

50
SIRS DiscovererQuestions? Call our ProQuest
representatives at 1.800.521.0600 http//www.proq
uestk12.com