Access to Information Resources for Science Educators at CSULB

Cathy Outten - Science Education Librarian

COAST The library catalog Key to finding stuff we have (books,

media, etc.)

Access to Online Databases?

Most databases at CSULB◦ are Fee-based & Restricted

Free Databases Google Scholar

Research Guides

Freely Accessible

Education

Science Education

CSULB (CSU) Alumni Association

http://www.csulb.edu/alumni Library Services for CSULB Alumni:

◦ http://www.csulb.edu/library/guide/visitors.html◦ Click on “Alumni” link

What access do I have as alumni?

Borrow books and media Up to 10 items can be borrowed at once Library items renewed online Access other CSU Libraries Not use ILL Services (AR, Illiad & Link+) Only access paid databases through

“guest pass”

Other College/University Libraries

Most provide physical access to the library

Private institutions (e.G. Usc, caltech) are the most restrictive

Most have computers for access by community members

Check website, call or visit and speak with the reference librarian

Weekends are better times to visit (less busy)

Community College Libraries

Good starting point for you and your students

All have some journal databases and most provide access for community members

Collection of reference materials useful for student research

Free borrowing privileges for the district or for a fee (if you are outside the district)

Borrowing privileges for High School Students

Library instruction: contact the reference and/or instruction librarian

UC Libraries

Examples: UCLA and UC Irvine

Check campus library websites to find what access you have

http://www2.library.ucla.edu/service/385.cfm

College/University Libraries…

In general do not provide:◦ Remote access to databases◦ Inter-Library Loan services to community

members

Public Libraries DO have Inter-Library Loan for

registered borrowers

DO have Remote access to online databases

Locate nearest big central library: useful for professional development and to find resources for your students

Contact reference librarian for research and class visit/orientation

Professional Associations

Membership provides benefits List of associations on our Science

Education pagehttp://csulb.libguides.com/scienceeducation Access to online journals, magazines,

books for purchase Support for classroom activities and

professional development

Other local resources for science information

Even if you can’t get there, check out the website for online resources

Museums:◦ California Science Center◦ Natural History Museum

Botanical Collections:◦ The Arboretum of Los Angeles

Planetariums:◦ Griffith Observatory

Searching our Online Catalog and Database(s)

COASTERIC

In-Class Assignment

Pick a Science topic◦ Find a book◦ Find a journal article◦ Fill out the worksheet and turn it in to me –

don’t forget to put your name on it

Information Literacy in Science Education Lesson

Plans

Information literacy is a set of abilities allowing individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information."

-From the American College and Research Libraries

What is Information Literacy?

The American Association of School Librarians has standards known as “Information Power” for K-12 students

The student who is information literate: accesses information efficiently and effectively

evaluates information critically and competently

uses information accurately and creatively

is an independent learner and pursues information related to personal interests.

AND MORE

What is information literacy?

Important skills for students to succeed academically and beyond

Create informed citizens with critical thinking skills

Contributes to lifelong learning Another set of active learning activities

Why incorporate information literacy?

“Library research” usually part of the social studies and humanities curriculum

Traditionally not included in science lessons

But it is possible to include in science lesson plans

Information literacy and the science curriculum

Biographical information of the person named in a theory/formula ◦ Pythagoras, Archimedes, Ohm etc.

Biographical information about inventors◦ Madame Curie, Alexander Graham Bell, Wright

brothers, Samuel Morse,

Some easy ways..

Space program Environmental disasters (e.g. Deep Water

Horizon, Katrina..) Launch of new product (Example: iPad) Global Warming Biofuels

Events/Current topics

How they work (dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, telephone etc)

History of common products What are the recent advances for that

technology? Good way to introduce engineering, design

and what engineers do

Common household products

Contact the librarian, and express your interest in including information literacy in a lesson plan.

Collaborate with the school librarian

Great resource for educators Particularly good for science educators Find ideas for your curriculum and lesson

plans Why re-invent the wheel?

Internet

A metasite links to other web resources on specific topic(s)

Time-savers Sites have been evaluated Look out for metasites from faculty,

librarians and professional organizations

Metasites

Example of a “metasite” or guide to the topic

Sites are evaluated Targeted to you! Use as launch pad to explore the topic

further

CSULB Science Education page

MERLOT http://www.merlot.org/ (Multimedia Education Resource for Learning and Online Teaching) contains peer reviewed lessons, assignments and other material.

• Science Education Commons http://teachingcommons.cdl.edu/sec/index.html sponsored by CSU for California Science Teachers

• National Science Digital Library http://www.nsdl.org

Collections of Lesson Plans

Find a lesson planIntegrate Information Literacy

Thanks for Coming!

Want help?

Cathy OuttenScience Education Librarian

coutten@csulb.edu