SIRS Renaissance (A and H)
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, MeL Training Materials
SIRS Renaissance
06/10 KRB
Start the demonstration by having the class find SIRS RENAISSANCE in the alphabetical list of databases at mel.org and open it.
SIRS Renaissance is a reference database that provides information on the following topics: architecture and design, culture, literature, multimedia, music, performing arts, philosophy and religion, and visual arts. Full-text articles are selected from more than 1200 domestic and international publications. It is updated daily, with coverage from 1983 to present. SIRS Renaissance should be highly useful and popular for students from middle school on up.
Point out that the Home page has some layout and functional similarities to the already-familiar SIRS Discoverer screen, which should make it easy for students to pick up if they have used Discoverer.
There is a basic Search box at the top. In the middle, there are several browsing categories with descriptions of their subtopics. On the right side of the screen, there is a box for Editor's Top Pick and a box for Database Features, including Curriculum Pathfinders, which we will come back to look at later. Literary Corner is an author search option. There are also several tabs and text links across the top of the screen for navigation and tools.
Have the class click on the HUMANITIES & EDUCATION link on the right side of the screen. Give them a minute or two to review the page. This provides valuable information as to why the arts and humanities are important, especially for curriculum support. Point out the second statement that talks about creative writing and business.
Click on the SIRS logo in the upper left corner of the screen to return to the Home page.
KEYWORD SEARCH:
1. Have the class type Machu Picchu in the search box (defaults to Keyword). Point out that ProQuest has added a type-ahead feature. If the word being typed matches a subject indexed in the database, it will offer suggested subject headings. In this case, there is no match for Machu Picchu. Click on the SEARCH button.
2. Point out the tabs and tools links across the top. Point out the box on the left side of the screen that indicates the number of each type of result, as well as the box with related subject headings. Have the class look at the citation for the kind of information available there. Have them click on the SHOW link just above the list of records to show the detailed information available for each record. Have them click on the HIDE link to hide the information. Have them click on the box next to "Add to My List" to mark a couple of records. Have them click on the first article to see what the full text looks like.
3. Point out the Email, "Print view", and Share icons at the top of the screen, as well as the Translate feature. Also point out that the search term we entered is displayed in boldface type. On the right side of the screen, point out the box that has CITATION; clicking on this link will show a bib citation that can be copied and pasted. Point out the Subjects box on the right side of the screen. Explain that clicking on any of the subjects will launch a new search. Have the class click on the WORLD HERITAGE AREAS link.
4. Point out to the class that the results screen functions the same way when we did a Keyword search. Have them "mark" a couple of articles. Have them click on the MY LIST link at the top of the screen. "My List" is a personal file for people to store "tagged/marked" articles. In order to email or print the articles, you first need to select which articles you want to email/print. It does not automatically email/print all of the articles listed.
5. Have the class click on the TOOLBOX link at the top of the screen. This is a great place to direct students to find help with research papers, how to do PowerPoints, how to prepare for a debate, how to cite, etc. Have them click on the RESEARCH GUIDE FOR CRITICAL THINKING link. This will open up in a Word document. This is an excellent guide for students to help them learn to think through and analyze things when working on a research paper.
6. Next, have the class click on the EDUCATORS’ RESOURCES link in the upper right corner of the screen. A lot of good information is provided here. Have them click on the PDF version of the SIRS VS. GOOGLE document. Give them a minute or two to review the information.
7. Point out to the class the Standards Correlations link in the upper right corner of the screen. This link will help you find articles related to curriculum support.
8. Click on the SIRS logo in the upper left corner of the screen to get return to the Home page.
SUBJECT HEADING SEARCH:
1. Have the class change the radio button to SUBJECT HEADINGS. Have them type Harlem Renaissance in the search box. As mentioned earlier, ProQuest has added a type-ahead feature. If the word being typed matches a subject indexed in the database, it will offer suggested subject headings. In this case, there is a subject heading for Harlem Renaissance. Have the class select it. The search is done automatically. Point out that the results screen functions the same way as when we did a Keyword search. Have the class "mark" a couple of articles.
2. Click on the SIRS logo in the upper left corner of the screen to return to the Home page.
BROWSE TOPICS SEARCH:
1. Point out the large box in the middle of the screen. It has eight major topics, and each of those has many subtopics. This can help users narrow down a search idea. Have the class click on the VISUAL ARTS link in the Browse Topics area. Let each person pick a subdivision to click on.
TRAINER NOTE: As of July 2009, the results for this type of search will still display in the "old" way. If you look at the screen, most of the functionality is there; it is just visually different. ProQuest plans to release an enhancement sometime in the next year that will make these results screens consistent with the Keyword and Subject search results screens. Give the class a few minutes to look at the results so they understand this.
2. Have the class "mark" a couple of articles. After "marking" the articles, be sure to click on the UPDATE TAGGED LIST button at the bottom of the screen. If you do not click on this button, your "marked" articles will not get added to "My List." The reason for this is because the results are displayed in the "old" way. Once ProQuest makes the Browse Topics search results consistent with the Keyword and Subject search results, this step will become unnecessary.
DATABASE FEATURES:
1. From this results screen, have the class click on the DATABASE FEATURES tab at the top of the screen. Point out the current events links on this page; many students will find these helpful. There is also a direct link to SIRS Discoverer.
2. Have the class click on the LITERARY CORNER link. Point out the alphabetical listing of authors in the middle of the screen. On the right side of the screen is a box for Literary Profiles. Have them click on one of the links for AMERICAN LITERATURE and then on a link for an author listed. As you will notice, the results screen displays in the "old" way, as it did with the Browse Topics search. Have the class "mark" a couple of articles and click on the UPDATE TAGGED LIST button at the bottom of the screen.
3. Have the class click on the DATABASE FEATURES tab at the top of the screen and point out some of the other available links. "Spotlight on..." highlights a different topic each month, with an archive for previous topics. CURRICULUM PATHFINDERS is a great section where students can find a wide-ranging set of reliable websites covering all types of topics, not only the focus topics for Renaissance. There are websites for Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Fine Arts, and Health. For Fines Arts, point out some of the available information (e.g. Research Ideas, Interactive tools). This is an excellent part of Renaissance for all students to use. Let the class explore the Pathfinders section for a few minutes.
4. Lastly, have the class hover over the "My List" link at the top of the screen and click on the SEARCH HISTORY link. This will show what searches have been conducted, and clicking on any of the search links will re-launch that particular search. Go back to the "My List" link and click on the SAVE SESSION link. Students can save their current search session for up to 30 days.
Ask for questions. Have the class do the exercises.
This service is funded in part by the State of Michigan through the Library of Michigan. Additional project support comes from the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
