Gale (14)

Gale Virtual Reference Library, Available through the Michigan eLibrary (http://www.mel.org). Grades 8-12.

This database is a useful tool for middle and high school students looking for concise, encyclopedia-style articles on particular topics. The search bar does not offer a very targeted search: users are better off picking a reference work themselves (they can select one after choosing a subject area from a menu on the left – subjects range from “Biography” to “Environment” to “Nation and World”) and searching within that work. Because of this, this database is a more effective tool for students who already know what they are looking for, as reference works are not particularly conducive to browsing (although each work is broken down by its table of contents, allowing users to peruse the work if they so desire – or easily access its user’s guide). The articles themselves are school-worthy sources that could easily be used in homework or projects, and the works included cover a wide variety of topics. Reference works such as Contemporary Black Biography or Women in World History could even prove useful in the classroom. Unfortunately the dryness of the interface and the lack of ease in searching do not make the database a very appealing one to teenage students.… (mehr)

Opposing Viewpoints is a Gale database with resources on contemporary social issues. Each topic has its own page which include all the resources on the chosen issue, including essays on opposing viewpoints, news, statistics, videos, photos, maps, and peer-reviewed scholarly resources. The viewpoints used include questions for users to keep in mind when reading as well as a bio on the viewpoint author and citations for further research. Each issue page is formatted in the same way making it easy for teens to navigate. Users can also use the advanced search options to search by content type and limit results to peer-reviewed articles. This would be an excellent resource for debate assignments or persuasive essays that require knowledge of controversial topic in contemporary society. Also included are national and state curriculum standards and links to additional Gale resources for teachers, including lesson plans. Highly recommended.… (mehr)

Opposing Viewpoints in Context is a database that is free to Michigan residents which allows users to search for hot topic issues and see articles of differing viewpoints. It is easy to search for these issues and even easier to browse through the issues. Each page has a description of the topic as well. There are some interface issues with this database such as the fact that the title does not take you back to the homepage. Yet it is still important for upper elementary students and middle schoolers who are learning about comparing and contrasting arguments. I would recommend this database for ages 10-13.… (mehr)