Pioneer Library Scavenger Hunt

Summary

Students will use the Internet to learn how to use the Pioneer library for research. Ties to core curriculum on all grade levels, although the activities may need to be adjusted.

Materials

Completed in a computer lab with Internet access. Students need pencil and paper.

Background for Teachers

Pioneer Library is Utah's online library and includes such resources as Digital Curriculum, World Book Online, EBSCO for elementary students, middle school students, high school students and college students and other reference works. It is a subscription service which is available for any Utah student. At school the access is open, but at home teachers will need to log on through UEN. Students will need the log-in and password. It is also available at any public library.

Student Prior Knowledge

Basic computer skills including keyboarding, mouse skills and general familarity with an Internet browser.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will learn how to use the Internet to access Pioneer Online Library resources. They will learn how to identify, select, and prioritize potential information sources and analyze and compare content of Pioneer library. Students will identify and describe general references, e.g., general encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, charts, maps, and pictures.

Instructional Procedures

Advance organizer: Compare the difference between an online library and a physical library using a Venn diagram. Allow students to speculate as to what they might find in a virtual library. If they do not mention all of the resources, that is okay. Have students log on to the network and open an Internet browser to the district website: www.granite.k12.ut.us. Have them then go to the student link. The first link is the Pioneer Library. Before entering the Pioneer library, point out the other links on the student page including the lunch menu, online grades that they will use in junior high and the homework hotline. After assuring that every student is on the student page, enter Pioneer Library. Follow the activity directions from Janet Wellman's scavenger hunt (see bibliography) including following the links. Teach students how to use browser functions to follow the links and then return to the activity page. Student should write the answers to the questions on a piece of paper. At the end of the scavenger hunt have the students log off of the network and come to the front of the lab. If students finish earlier than others have them search for their teacher's e-mail address in the district directory. Have them find it by searching for the teacher by name and have them find it by searching by school. Concluding discussion: What other resources are found at the Pioneer Online Library? Complete Venn diagram.

Strategies for Diverse Learners

Gifted students may help with struggling students, although they are not to drive the other student's keyboard. The teacher will circulate to assist struggling students and keep all students on task. EBSCO is available to search in spanish, although at this time the articles will still be in English.

Extensions

Have students use Pioneer Library to research a project. Teach them to cite the sources found at Pioneer Library.

Bibliography

Janet Wellman. Pioneer Library Scavenger Hunt,www.uen.org/utahlink/activities/view_activity.cgi?activity_id=10055