Thing 09: Databases & Search Tools

  Databases: Explore a database that you’re not an expert with yet. Find out how it works, what features are available. Consider how you might use it with your classes.
Our district subscribes to the online database WorldBook Online. I explored the Early World of Learning tab and found the leveled readers. There are six books at each of four different reading levels. The books have printed text and a read-along feature. I'll be using them in the next few weeks with an enrichment group of first graders I work with.

Search Tools: Pick a tool you don’t know well and explore it. Is it appropriate for the students you work with?
The title KidRex appealed to me as I'm sure it was intended to. Just as grocery stores put the sugary, brightly colored cereal on shelves that are eye level with children and high fiber cereal at eye level with the colonoscopy crowd, I was drawn in by the crayon drawings and red palm tree.

Look a bit closer and you can see that it is a "Brent Media Site", who's stated mission is to "prove—through sound scientific research—that liberal bias in the media does exist and undermines traditional American values.
http://www.mrc.org/
Further exploration into MRC's home site finds:
https://info.mrc.org/mrc-2nd-amendment-petition.html
https://info.mrc.org/planned-parenthood-shocking-cover-up.html

We need to be very careful about going a several steps beyond what search engines look good to find which ones actually are good and present facts...just as search engines for children should. Opinions should be left on the opinion page.