Explore Lesson 5 Oxford Reference Collection

Lesson 5- OXFORD REFERENCE COLLECTION

Once again I had a few issues with being able to get on this site but after trying several methods I managed to get in and found a variety of References that are very useful.

Question1

   I went to the English Dictionaries and Thesauruses link and looked up "Habeas Corpus", I found there were 7 different dictionaries that had entries for the term.

2.  I used the same link but a different subject; that of Guide to Grammar and Writing which I liked because often our kids don't know the difference between the parts of speech and this site was well illustrated and certainly easy to navigate.  The song that illustrated nouns was a well known Oscar and Hammerstein song from the Sound of Music, My Favorite Things! 

Rainndrops on roses and whiskers on kittens


Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens


Brown paper packages tied up with strings


These are a few of my favorite nouns

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels


Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles


Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings


These are a few of my favorite nouns

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes


Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes


Silver white winters that melt into springs


These are a few of my favorite nouns

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad


I simply remember my favorite nouns


And then I don't feel so bad.

I really like this model and I love the music as well.

3.  The next question asked we use the same link but in the Visual Dictionary and look up "Boat", I did and I found the following examples of boats and ships

container ship 

bulk carrier 

drill ship 

hovercraft 

tug 

ice-breaker 

trawler tanker 

motor yacht 

runabout 

houseboat 

ferry 

cruise-liner 

hydrofoil boat 

4.  I was now having lots of fun and I went to the link for English Reference and found 18 different titles for English Language Reference.

5.  For this one I selected the "Irish Dictionary and the word "wealthy" and this is the reference I got.

1. wealthy adj

saibhir .(From The Pocket Oxford Irish Dictionary (English-Irish) in Bilingual Dictionaries  I am not sure that this is what you mean't to do?

6. The next question was to go to link for Quotes and John Locke

 Locke, John

The end of law is, not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.

(From Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations in Quotations

. John Locke this was the other one I found.

[That] ill deserves the name of confinement which hedges us in only from bogs and precipices.

So that, however it may be mistaken, the end of law is, not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.

(From Oxford Dictionary of Quotations in Quotation

The second part of browsing 'abolish" took me to other subjects like slavery.

7.  I did a search for Syria from the site linked to Maps and Illustrations and found the following:

Subjects searched: Maps & Illustrations

SYRIA Displaying 3 of 3 results

1. Syria From World Flags in Maps & Illustrations)

2. Syria (From World Maps in Maps & Illustrations)

3. flags: Asia

Keywords Bangladesh Bhutan China Democratic People' Republic of Korea India Japan Maldives Mongolia Nepal Republic of Korea Sri Lanka Keywords Afghanistan Azerbaijan Iran Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Pakistan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Keywords ...

(From Visual English Dictionary in Maps & Illustrations)

8.  From the Oxford Reference home page I went to Encyclopedias and did a search on Syria, the difference between the two sources the global handbook and encyclopedia, handbook provides information on every country in the world with a quick reference fact box and valuable supplemental information comparing Syria to other countries in the world.  An encyclopedia only gives facts on the one country you are looking up rather than comparing world wide.

9.  There are 25 definitions for the term "recycling" and unfortunately I could not find Refine by Book option, but when searching I found more than 20 references to books with information on recycling including encyclopedia of Science, environmental books and books about healthy living.

10.  I am glad this was optional because it would not work with my browser! Search Oxford Reference
I could copy it in a document but that javascript would not enable my to put it into my browser.

Reflections:
I wanted to share some warmth and nature from California for all of my Alaskans!  Summer is coming for us too!


This was a good lesson for me as I have never used any of these resources and the first thing I am doing now is going back to the Quotations link and picking out some of my favorites to add to my signature line on my emails.  I love when I receive mail from Bookworm with fabulous quotes to think about.  I did spend quite a long time on this lesson because I kept finding more things to explore and I think I put in around 3-4 Hours but it was well spent.  I actually posted some new quotes to my signature line in mail.

Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” 

― Mark Twain

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” 

― Anne Frank

“Where there is love there is life.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

Thanks to a Wonderful Support System

Goldilocks hits roadblock to the Heritage Quest Site!
March 13, 2012
I must share the latest problem I encountered with try to access sites in Alaska from an outside location.  I site Heritage Quest read my web address and knew I wasn't in Alaska and would not let me enter.  Thankfully, with the help of our teacher and facilitators the problem was cleared up by the end of the day.  I am impressed with the timely way this was handled by all and I want to say, "Thank You", I can't wait to continue with Lesson 2!  What a great support staff, now someone in the class please read this and comment so I know I really am posting correctly!
Exercise 4A and 4B
Now I have found another kink in my assignment for Lesson 4A and 4B, because I am out of Alaska I cannot get on the data base for this lesson.  It reads my URL location and it appears I cannot get around this.  I will skip this until I return to Alaska and then redo the assignment.  I appreciate the quick response from Daniel again advising me what to do.

Lesson 4A and 4B

I was in Alaska only for less than a week but in Homer at my DKG conference I managed on a Saturday night to contact Tutor.com through live homework help. It was very exciting to get through  so quickly and find a real person helping me with Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.  
Because I was so limited in time I asked a question about English currency, math problems using pounds and pence.  My tutor caught my mistake within seconds and suggested an alternate way for me to find the correct answer.  I was impressed but sad that you cannot access this site from outside Alaska.  I see many possibilities for students to get help from this site and the fact they can access it with their library cards is wonderful.


I am hoping I have time when I return to Alaska around the middle of May to try to finish the rest of the assignment.
I am now back in Alaska, May 21, 2012 and I have completed part 4B although I did have difficulty transferring to my blog.  
It was easy to do the advanced search in the Teacher Reference Center to find articles about teacher education and Alaska. My first attempt was incorrect and I found over 543 articles, when I did follow the exact directions it became more realistic with a total of 58 results which I then narrowed using the full text option and after 2008 for the date to a total of 9 articles and some were repeats.
I was impressed with the example of the 3 minute video because as a retired teacher unfortunately most of my current research is into medical issues and it really gave an incite into finding current journal articles about many things I am involved with.
The APA citation is for the article:

APA

(American Psychological Assoc.)

References

Authors:

CHRISTIE, KATHY

Source:

Phi Delta Kappan, Feb2008, Vol. 89 Issue 6, p405-406, 2p

Document Type:

Article

Subject Terms:

EDUCATION -- United States

INTERNET in education

SCHOOL day

INSTITUTE of Education Sciences (U.S.)

EDUCATION -- Finance -- Government policy

UNITED States. Dept. of Education

Geographic Terms:

UNITED States

I think this information of how to search for specific articles and resources is very important but having had no familiarity with it's use I found it quite difficult and time consuming.  I probably spent over 3 hours and trying to figure this out.

Lesson 3 Reader's Advisory-NoveList by Goldilocks goes Digital

 I just finished editing this entire lesson and I lost all my information by clicking on the wrong arrow----how totally frustrating.  I will start over and say I found this fascinating because I haven't used this resource before and I have a "reluctant reader grandson" who is 9 and in the 4th grade at Barnette Magnet School.   The only series he has been turned on by and read every book was Jeff Kinney and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.  He can read if he is engrossed because he has read Lego Directions, Science experiments etc.  His 3rd-4th Grade teacher would not let him do any book reviews on the Kinney' books so it has been a constant battle to get him to read.


Using NoveList K-8 I found some other others he may like and it was easy to make a list and email it to his Mom!  I also kept a copy for this summer when I am back home.  I see the usefulness of this resource even if I am just volunteering at school to help kids find other reading series they may enjoy.


In looked at How To Use NoveList support center and in the Knowledge Base services I found trainings offered as well as self training online downloads for most subjects.  I was especially interested in the Audiobooks, Biography reference center, kids search and Small Engine Repair.


I read Book Recommendation Article and I have copied the 7 sites into my notebook as I feel each is good and uniques in it's own way.
I have used a couple of them before just by using goggle and Good Reads!


My reflections on this lesson is that it will be one of my favorites and most useful sites in this course.  I enjoyed all the time I spent on this even when I lost all my information.  I am not taking any chances so I will publish without editing!!! HA, good luck.

lesson 2 Genealogy Resources

Lesson 2:   Genealogy Resources
In the past I have tried to research my family tree using some on line sources and mostly hit dead-ends.  I have found that most of my ancestors came in through Ellis Island in the second part  of the 18th Century but I have never had success in going back further than my grandfather.  I did find a Great-Aunt and Uncle in my search on Heritage Quest OnLine.  My relatives changed the spelling of their name from KOHN or COHN to Cowan/Kowan so it would not be so "Jewish".    I found my great- uncle, here but I could not find any of my other relatives. I learned his wife was Lilli and he was a merchant.   I learned I spent quite a bit of time because it was so interesting.  I am waiting on some requested information on my great-grandparents and will go back and check further later.

This is my Great-Uncle:

COWAN MAURICE 28 M W RUSS OH CUYAHOGA 20-WD CLEVELAND 1910

Surname GivenName Age Sex Race Birthplace State County Location Year COWAN MAURICE 28 M W RUSS OH CUYAHOGA 20-WD CLEVELAND 1910

In the  Browse the Census option. I looked for  the first year Alaska became part of the federal census, but it was much easier to Google it and I found Alaska included from 1890 on.  I found it easier to save things on text edit on my computer rather than an alternative way.

I read the two readings for this week and really appreciated the Alaskana references as my husband has grandchildren that are 4th generation Alaskans.  They do have the Mormon church system for use and have published a book on the family.  The Family name Is Beistline and Herning both long time Alaskans.


Reflections:
This was fun and very captivating although I didn't find as much information as I had previously on sites you pay for on Goggle.  I found some of the options difficult to us like notebook and reading some of  the Census information.  I think since the big fire where records were lost that some of the safer ways of guarding information have been with digital records and files.  One can save pictures with CD's and also with on-line sites for small charges.  I plan to return to this exercise again after I find more family information.

Week 1-Discovery Exercises

 GOLDILOCKS GOES DIGITAL

Business Resources by Daniel, Exercise 1

1.  Using  EBSCO,  especially with the added directions about "Click on Company Profiles", got me
started quickly and it was easy to navigate.  I am not familiar with using digital resources although this is the second online class I have taken dealing with resources online, the first one was a nightmare and the entire class was left in the cold due to NO teacher feedback.  This class I have  already found my questions answered timely and help available!Now to answer the first question and by far the easiest to find.    I am sure everyone found the Chief Financial Officer of Microsoft was Mr. Klein who previously was Corporate Vice President of the business division

2.  The Small Business Reference Center was somewhat more difficult to quickly find what I was looking for about crafts but I came across many references for selling goods at craft shows and markets in person or on the internet.  I copied some chapter titles for information:

Chapter 14 of the book "The 2010 Leisure Market Research Handbook," by Richard K. Miller and Kelli Washington is presented. It highlights the amount of supplies for the craft and hobby market and number of people who are engaged1.

Chapter 13: Selling Your Handmade Crafts Online: Marketing Your Unique Creations.Full Text Available

How To Market & Sell Your Art, Music, Photographs & Handmade Crafts Online: Turn Your Hobby into a Cash Machine, 2008, p210-214, 5p, 1 Black and White PhotographSource:

Leisure Market Research Handbook; 2010, p136-139, 4p

4.   The Alaska Department of Law Consumer Protection Unit was easy to navigate through and find information.  I found that a landlord is responsible for maintaining the premises and letting the tenants have notice before they have to move.  The website lists the amount of money that can be collected for security deposits and about the necessities that the landlord must maintain the property in good condition with regards to heat, electricity and plumbing.

 In another section which could be easily accessed from the right hand margin list, you just clicked on Frauds and Scams and many were listed.  The two I found most interesting were Phishing and Pyramiding.  I have received emails that have the "Nigerian Letter" which if you answer you will make all kinds of money, or an email that appears to come from a legitimate source you use like Amazon or I-Tunes asking for personal information.  This is a fraudulent site that has copied the real website without authentication.  There is also a section on complaints and how to fill out and file the form with the Attorney General of the state of Alaska.

5 In my community of Fairbanks Alaska,  there are 5,350 women employed and the top employer is the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.  In the state of Alaska the top employer is Providence Health Services followed by Walmart/Sams.

6.  The six stages of understanding the Small Business Life Cycle are:
THINK, LAUNCH,GROW, REINVENT, EXIT

There is a checklist to download of over 20 items to know when starting a small business.  This is easily found by clicking on the right hand column of subjects or typing it in search box at the left.

 Why are there six stages and only five headings?  Did I miss something?  The Alaska SBDC released this guide for 2010 to help business plan and guide their own success.

7.  Broadband in Alaska  was   discussed for  the opportunities for Broadband in Rural Alaska, in an article by Heather Hudson, November 2011 and includes 35 pages. Two other publications are:

Digital Diversity: Broadband and Indigenous Populations in Alaska

Heather E. Hudson

May 2011

13 pp.

Presented at the Experts Workshop.
Sponsored by The Ford Foundation.

Available online (81.1 KB)

Request hard copy

ID: 1341

Broadband for Rural Development in Southwest Alaska

Heather E. Hudson

March 2011

28 pp.

Presented at WAISC, Bethel, March 24, 2011

Available online (1.4 MB)

Request hard copy

The last publication I looked at was:  "Small Scale Modular Nuclear Power, An Option for Alaska?" , Ginny Fay and Tobias Schwoner, March 2011, 23 pages.  The Institute of Social and Economic Research seems to have some timely and interesting areas of research.  I did not spend much time looking at these because I wasn't overly concerned.

8.  The use of nuclear power as an option was presented in what was called "Lunch Box Discussions" with several publications cited with the support  of First National Bank Alaska and the Alaska Journal of Commerce.

Some other publications were:

The First 50 Years and the Next: ISER and Rural Alaska, March 2011, 33 pages..

Presented at the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC), Bethel, March 24, 2011

I think the publications in this area were quite interesting and timely and I could see recommending them to some students doing current research in the area.

9.  I don't think this is an option for Alaska, as there are too many variables and alternate methods.  We have to small a population and the costs would be outrageous with very difficult climatic issues it would be unwise.

Reflections:
At the present time I am a retired teacher who loves learning new things and using all of these digital resources will be new to me.  I am also taking another class on-line from UAF that requires the use of some of these digital resources for research so another plus.  You may be wondering why I would do this being retired and all but it will suffice to say I have been tied down, taking care of a recovering husband from surgeries in California and I find it quite important to my mental health to keep learning new things.
I found using these sources quite interesting and challenging, taking me approximately 7-8 hours of time to examine and find the correct answers.  Hopefully, I will become more adept at doing these assignments but I will say they kept me fascinated as a new user of what is available online.!! Fascinating!
I am looking forward to finding the next exercise more user friendly, or my being a little more experienced at what I am looking for.

Confused?

I am still trying to get my blog connected to Alaska Digital Resources?  Hopefully today will be the day1