Pre-conference programs
Wednesday, February 1, 2006

From the education institute


9:00 am-4:00 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
BEYOND GOOGLE: SEARCHING FASTER AND SMARTER ON THE WEB
with Rita Vine

You know about the "invisible" Web. You've heard about the limitations of even the "best" search engines. You understand how advertisers influence search results in popular search tools. How do you put that knowledge into practice to help you save time and search the Web more efficiently? How can you find value in (or even spot) the rubble of useless links and crass promotions?

Who Should Attend
This course will benefit experienced Web searchers who want to refine and improve their searching, and discover new top-quality FREE Web search resources from one of North America's leading experts in effective Web searching.

The Benefits

  • Advanced search techniques and "best practices" for finding relevant reference and related resources on the Internet.
  • Great, largely unknown resources that you can use and share with your library patrons.
  • Resources and mechanisms for staying current on Internet developments affecting librarians.
  • Computer features, tools that dramatically enhance on-line searching efficiency and productivity.

Rita Vine
Rita Vine is Canada's best-known Internet search trainer and co-founder of Workingfaster.com, developer of this course for the Education Institute.

See the Education Institute course calendar - February for more details and to register.
Members $239. Non-members $284.


9:00 am-Noon
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
POWERPOINT FOR EVERYDAY SUCCESS
Tim Gauntley, District Wide Coordinator, Library and Learning Resources, Toronto District School Board

Unleash new skills with this powerful media tool. Explore how to create effective PowerPoint presentations everyday by following four strategies similar to the stages of the research process itself. Learn how to strengthen the message in making presentations and rethink the use of PowerPoint pedagogically.
Member $50. Non-member $75.


9:00 am-Noon
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
VISUAL ORGANIZERS
Marilyn Legault, Consultant, Information Technology, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Focus on the importance and use of visual organizers throughout the research process and in other areas of the school library program, Kindergarten to Grade 12. Software such as Smart Ideas and AppleWorks will be highlighted as tools for both teacher-librarians and students in making use of visual organizers in all aspects of their teaching and learning.
Member $50. Non-member $75.


1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
SCHOOL LIBRARY WEB PAGES:
FROM CREATION TO INTEGRATION
Roger Nevin, Teacher-Librarian, School Web Master, Adam Scott Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

Experience simple methods and strategies for creating your own school library Web page. This session will discuss new tools that allow teacher-librarians with no technical skills to create and maintain a Web page. View examples of effective school library Web pages and gather ideas on how to use the library Web page as an advocate for your school library program.
Member $50. Non-member $75.


1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
STUDENT LEARNING THROUGH DIGITAL IMAGING
Anita Brooks Kirkland, Information Technology Consultant, Waterloo Region District School Board, OSLA President 2005-2006; Kevin Bradbeer, Information Communication Technology Manager, Toronto District School Board

In order to make effective use of technology, it must be part of the learning process from beginning to end. Focus on both teachers and students incorporating technology into the planning of their work. The focus here will be on the use of digital images, both still and video, and the role this technology can play in the school library program and the research process. Participants will use such software as Kid Pix, Appleworks, iMovie and Movie Maker.
Member $50. Non-member $75.

TO REGISTER or to see MORE DESCRIPTION
Education Institute course calendar - February

THE EDUCATION INSTITUTE <www.thepartnership.ca>
is a joint venture of The Partnership, the national network of provincial and territorial library associations.


THE VRL SEMINAR

9:00 am to Noon
Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street
Le@rning Centre / Classroom A

THE VIRTUAL REFERENCE LIBRARY:
THE 'RE-DESIGNED' DIGITAL COLLECTIONS PORTALS

A new suite of portals for the Toronto Public Library's Digital Collections was launched in Fall 2005. Includes Digital Collections, Historicity: Toronto Then and Now, Canadian Theatre Record and Ontario History Quest with re-sources of interest to communities across Ontario. The content and design of the portals have been improved to include:

  • new user interfaces
  • enhanced search and browse functionality
  • new collections content
  • enhanced metadata
  • updated Ontario curriculum-based homework resources
  • ability to sort or limit search results by different areas of Ontario

This hands-on session is for library staff who use or may want to use the portals in their daily work or with their clients. It provides a valuable walk-through for those who want to create or enhance their own digital collections resources. Learn how to find out about Ontario history and move through the portals, making the best use of their many features. Participants will receive the training script.

Pre-registration required.
Member $25. Non-member $30.