Library
The Parkwood library has resources to support staff and students in teaching and learning. We hope to be a friendly place to help students research and relax. The library policy documents will be available on this website shortly, along with research guides and pathfinders to help with your assignments.
Remember that Google always assumes the first word is the most important word. For a question like "What was life like in Ancient Egypt", Ancient Egpyt is the most important part, not life. So enter your keywords in that order: "ancient egypt life".
Most search engines will leave out very common words, like the, if or is. If you need to include one of these words, use the plus symbol in front, like this: +is.
These pages have some more information on using Google: Basic search help and Advanced search help.
Click here to access Newsbank. From inside the school, use "parkwood" as the username and password. To access Newsbank from outside the school, please ask the library staff for a username and password.
Other libraries
If you want any more information, please contact Emily McLeay through the school.
Researching on the Internet
Tips for using search engines & Google
Firstly, what you enter in the search box is words you want to find on a webpage. So, instead of typing "who built the pyramids?", you need to enter words the answer might include: perhaps just "pyramids". The more words you add, the less results you will get, so try less words first. If you get too many results, add more and more specific words.Remember that Google always assumes the first word is the most important word. For a question like "What was life like in Ancient Egypt", Ancient Egpyt is the most important part, not life. So enter your keywords in that order: "ancient egypt life".
Most search engines will leave out very common words, like the, if or is. If you need to include one of these words, use the plus symbol in front, like this: +is.
These pages have some more information on using Google: Basic search help and Advanced search help.
Evaluating Websites
When you use a website, remember to look at it carefully. Remember that the internet can change dramatically and quickly. Just because the sites listed below had credible information last week doesn’t mean they will still be worthwhile sources next week! Always examine a website thoroughly before accepting what it says.
Consider:
- Who wrote the site? You should be able to find some contact details, perhaps in an “about this site” page.
- Why did they write it? Are they trying to sell you something?
- Is the site easy to use? Do all the links still work? A reliable website should have working links and be regularly updated.
More information about evaluating websites:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ergo/evaluate_websites
http://www.polk.k12.ga.us/cms/media/evaluation.htm
http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html
Some places to find information
ERGO
Check out ergo, from the state library. They have all kinds of information about the history of Melbourne and of Victoria, and they also have great ideas to help you do better assignments. Have a look at the study skills section, and they have help for essay writing and researching.Newsbank
Search for articles in the Age, the Australian, the Weekend Magazine and the Weekly Times. Contains information since 1999.Click here to access Newsbank. From inside the school, use "parkwood" as the username and password. To access Newsbank from outside the school, please ask the library staff for a username and password.
State Library databases
The State Library of Victoria has all kinds of databases, and all of you can use them. You need to register as a user first, and then you can log in to most of them from home or school. They have a list of databases by subject area on this page.Wikipedia
Wikipedia is great. But one of the things that makes it great - that anyone can edit the articles - is also the biggest problem with it. There's nothing stopping an idiot from going in and changing anything they like. So be very careful with what you read, and use it as a place to find more information. Find out where they quote from - have a look at the "further information" at the end of each article - and go there for your research. Don't just quote from Wikipedia unless your teacher says to.Other libraries
Eastern Regional Libraries have an online catalogue. If you are a member of Ringwood, Croydon, Healesville, Lilydale or other libraries in the area, you can reserve books to pick up at your most convenient branch.
Look after yourself on the internet
There can be some pretty nasty people around. Click though here for some tips and advice on keeping yourself cybersafe.If you want any more information, please contact Emily McLeay through the school.
