Proquest

1. Do a basic search on something of interest to you. Report your findings and observations.

I did a basic search on geothermal heat pumps. The number of results I received was a bit overwhelming. I was able to sort the result to find the newest articles first. I could also limit the type of results I received from just viewing magazine articles to reports. I could even view articles only written in a specific country. I found that by even doing a basic search you have a wide variety of options to help you find what you needed.

1.a. See what your Challenge cohort is discovering. Choose at least one other Challenge blog, read that person's post (about this or a previous lesson), and comment on it. You may like to check each other's blogs throughout the Challenge as you learn together.

I looked at Journey Library's blog posting for Proquest. It looks like we discovered many of the same things. Even though we searched different topics we both came up with a large number of results. I guess, this speaks to the size and breath of the Proquest database!


2. Click the Publications tab at the top of the page. You will see an alphabetical list of the periodicals indexed in Proquest and the years included. Notice that this list is "Full text only." Do a search for a journal in your profession by typing a title or keyword in the search box. Report your findings and observations.

I discovered that the search would be very limiting if you didn't know the title of the journal you were searching for. You also have to be very careful with your use of singular and plural. I searched public library and used "in publication summary" and received 0 results but by switching library to libraries i was able to find two journals with full text articles in this database.

In your blog post, name the standard and briefly and specifically describe the lesson you will teach using ProQuest to help meet the standard.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

I would have students research the topic of geothermal as an alternative heating and cooling source. They would need to use bother scholarly sources as well as magazines and newspapers. Most articles I found talked about more than just geothermal. Students would need to come using geothermal to one other source. This would require students to use skills to filter through articles that may not be relevant to their topic but contain information about the topic.

Learning Express Library

1. Set-up an account in Learning Express and browse through the available exams.

That was easy! Setting up an account in Learning Express requires only a couple of quick entries and you are set up ready to go.

2. Choose one and answer a few questions. Then click "Score my test" in the top toolbar. Ignore the warnings and continue to have your test scored, so that you can see how the diagnostic page looks. Then click "View Answers" at the bottom of the page. What did you think about this test experience?

I found Learning Express practice test to be very realistic. The timed factor on the simulation test helps you develop your ability to complete the test in the allotted time. The ability to test in different modes is a nice feature allowing every level of user to get the experience he/she needs. The test was very easy to navigate and I’m assuming that this will be a very similar feel to what the test taking experience will be like for real.

3. Job searching and resume writing are among the self-paced courses in Learning Express. Locate the career resources and add one of the courses to your center. Take a few minutes to explore the course and note your observations.

The course was very simple to navigate. It a matter of a couple of quick clicks I was able to save the course to my portfolio to save my place and return to it later. One of my favorite features of the courses was that there was not an overwhelming amount of text on a page. Each topic was broken down into manageable pieces.

4. Type a search term in the search box for a skills improvement or career topic in which you are interested. Notice that results are sorted by tests, courses and eBooks (if all of those are available for your chosen topic). Please select an eBook and look through its pages.

I searched "Social Networking." There were two eBooks available through Learn Express on this topic. I was surprised by the eBook. I was figuring the book would be a condensed version but this book looks to be the full version and contains a Table of Contents to help you navigate the text. I was able to save the book to my computer and easily access it for later use.

Common Core Connection

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.10
By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9-10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
I could use the Information Reading Test to help students who are struggling to meet the reading standard. The Informational Reading Practice Test will give extra practice in reading information text and then get tested on the material to determine if they are retaining the information. In the Learner option you are able to see your answers as you go and if you answer a question incorrectly you are given the correct answer and then told where the answer could be found in the text to help the student with the learning process.

Chilton Library and Mango Languages

Chilton Library
1. Look up the maintenance schedule for your vehicle. View the whole chart and list 3 things that should be done at 30,000 miles.

I drive a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta. It is an automatic sedan with a 4 cylinder diesel engine. According to the maintenance schedule at 30,000 miles there are several things I should be checking or replacing at this point. The three big ones, in my opinion are: service/inspect Brake pad thickness, service/inspect rotate tires, and replace Engine oil and filter.

2. What was the most recent Technical Service Bulletin or Recall notice on your car about and when was it issued?

The most recent Technical Service Bulletin for a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta was issued on October 3 2013. The Technical Bulletin was issued because customers were experiencing issues with the about of oil being consumed was higher than the standard consumption of up to .5 quarts per 600 miles.

3. Click to the Repair tab and note some of the information about brakes for your car.

I don't know the first thing about my car, which is one of the many reasons I'm so thankful for my husband! After looking under the Brakes, I found out that my brakes are an Anti-Locking System and there are both hydraulic and mechanical components.
I also felt like I was reading a foreign language when reading through the descriptions and information listed under the Brakes drop-down. There were specifications listed for the Brake system that I’m sure are very helpful for people who know what they are doing.
The Chilton Library is a great tool but as a people not knowing about cars found it very difficult to read through.
 
Common Core Connections
1. How could you use Chilton Library to meet Common Core English Language Arts Reading Standards in the area of Integration of Knowledge and Ideas?

In the Chilton Library they use both text and visual materials to give directions on how to repair or replace components of a vehicle. Chilton Library is using a diverse format as well as using a variety of formats to convey their message.

Mango Languages
1. In Mango, choose a language. Read about the language and culture. What did you learn?

I selected Irish. Ireland has been a dream destination of mine for many years. I am fascinated by the deep history and numerous castles. Irish is only spoken in Ireland and there are about 355,000 people today who speak Irish.

2. Try out a lesson. How helpful would this program be to help you learn a language? What did you like? What didn’t you like? Why?

I found the Mango languages to be a very help language learning tool. There were several pieces of the lessons that i found liked. I like that you could have the translation repeated as many times as you needed. I found the pronunciation of the translation to be extremely helpful. When i saw the pronunciation I was then able to better hear how to pronounce the translated phrases. There is lots of repetition in each lesson, which for myself, is the best way I learn.
The only complaint I have about the database is that I found it a bit confusing on how to start the lessons. I assumed I needed to click on the "1 course available" when that was actually directing me lower on the page to the lesson and needed to click on the image.

Common Core Connections
1. How could Mango Languages help you meet the Language standards in English Language Arts?

We can use the English Courses for non-English speakers to help our foreign exchange students improve their English speaking abilities. This will help them to better meet the English Language Art Standards.