[CASL-L] Easier Pro-Con Issue Sites

[STEPHANIE PATTERSON]

I like SIRS. It's a Proquestk12.com<http://proquestk12.com> database.

Features that I find helpful- visual browse by icon, alpha list of 300 controversial issues w an essential question or 2 with 3 or more source links for the pro and con sides. Gallery of images. Good for those who need it framed with more structure. Good background on many topics also. Plus plenty of info sources for those who want to search with more independence.

I had Opposing Viewpoints in Context and found it was just not the best fit - vocabulary and navigation wasn't accessible enough.

I'd contact Proquest and ask for a 30 day trial to test run with your students in an actual assignment. Then you can consider a subscription for next year after everyone has a chance to dip in.

I've used this as a primary database for the 'great debate' culminating assignment with public speaking classes for the past few years and it's been very successful.

Students use the pro con website too, but the database offers far more structure and invites you to work with small groups for research instruction. I find that too many graze on the web, rely on search results ranking on the first page as a substitute for evaluating sources and don't read deeply. The presentation on SIRS has no distractors.

If you want to chat further, we can off the list serve. Just send an email. I live out on the shoreline and pass thru your area every day.

Stephanie

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 12, 2016, at 9:11 PM, Leslie Redmond <leslie.r719 at gmail.com<mailto:leslie.r719 at gmail.com>> wrote:

Have you tried Procon.org<http://procon.org>?   I'm trying it with my 6th graders on pros and cons of social media and there were some good discussion starters.

On Fri, Feb 12, 2016 at 3:31 PM, HENNESSEY, MARGUERITE <MARGUERITE.HENNESSEY at new-haven.k12.ct.us<mailto:MARGUERITE.HENNESSEY at new-haven.k12.ct.us>> wrote:
Sorry
That should be SIRS Discoverer.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 12, 2016, at 3:30 PM, HENNESSEY, MARGUERITE <MARGUERITE.HENNESSEY at new-haven.k12.ct.us<mailto:MARGUERITE.HENNESSEY at new-haven.k12.ct.us>> wrote:
>
> SIRS Discover is intended for middle school, that may be helpful
> Rita Hennessey
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Feb 12, 2016, at 3:25 PM, Michele Eligio <meligio at northbranfordschools.org<mailto:meligio at northbranfordschools.org>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am wokring with the history dept. in our school on an assignment
>> requiring students to conduct pro/con research on a topic of their
>> choosing. We are using Issues Researcher and Opposing Viewpoints which are
>> working really well. However, we have some low level students in which the
>> information from these two databases is too complex. Does anyone have any
>> alternative information sources that they use for a similar assignment
>> with such students?
>>
>> Michele Eligio
>> Library Media Specialist
>> North Branford High School
>> 49 Caputo Road
>> North Branford, CT 06471
>> 203-484-1465<tel:203-484-1465>
>>
>> "Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up
>> windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute
>> to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better."
>>   Sidney Sheldon
>>
>>
>> The information in this transmission is privileged and confidential and
>> intended only for the recipient(s) listed above. If you have received this
>> transmission in error, please notify us immediately by telephone or email
>> and delete the original message and any attachments. Any review or use of
>> the information contained in this email message by persons other than the
>> intended recipient(s) is prohibited. If you are not the intended
>> recipient, please notify the North Branford Public Schools immediately by
>> telephone or email and destroy all copies of this message and any
>> attachments.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CASL-L mailing list
>> CASL-L at mylist.net<mailto:CASL-L at mylist.net>
>> http://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>
> _______________________________________________
> CASL-L mailing list
> CASL-L at mylist.net<mailto:CASL-L at mylist.net>
> http://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l

_______________________________________________
CASL-L mailing list
CASL-L at mylist.net<mailto:CASL-L at mylist.net>
http://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l

_______________________________________________
CASL-L mailing list
CASL-L at mylist.net<mailto:CASL-L at mylist.net>
http://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mylist.net/archives/casl-l/attachments/20160213/3054eade/attachment.html>