CIVICS

State of our Democracy in Canada

Ontario eLaws

Canadian Encyclopedia

The Reference Desk (encyclopedias, etc.)

(note:
- broaden topic to: canad* and right* if original search found nothing
- add another term if necessary to narrow search
- check subject headings of items found for other search terms as needed

- Browse:

• 320s - Political Science
• 340s - Law
• 970s - History - North America
• 971s - History - Canada

• use KEYWORD search
• use WCI search as example
• use "SEARCH FILTERS" to delimit location
• sort results if necessary

Use the WCI search examples to possible keywords, search strategies and areas to browse.

• most search engines will extrapolate variations of a word if the "main" word is used (eg./ the singular vs. plural form of a word)
• use quote marks " ..." to enclose phrases as necessary
• - (minus sign) to say not this term

eg/
"pierre elliot trudeau" legacy

you may search Google now:

MAGAZINE, NEWSPAPER & JOURNAL DATABASES

• Select preferred package of databases:
  from YRDSB's Trillium Databases (Home access requires password)

  • including Ebscohost's Canadian Points of View

  or directly from
    - InfoTrac by Thomson / Gale - includes all our Gale ebooks (Home access requires password)
   - or -
              from Vaughan Public Libraries - Online Databases (VPL membership required)

• Select appropriate database(s) within preferred package

• Choose "Advanced Search" tab

• Ensure Fulltext selected

• type keyword(s):

  • combine keywords needed with AND operator

  • search most important keywords in Subject field (or broaden search to default fields if necessary)

  • use truncation as required

  • cluster similar concepts if necessary to optimize on line limitations

  • check assigned subject headings of highly relevant articles for alternate keywords

  • no one perfect strategy -- play around for the one that works best for given search

Infotrac articles may be emailed directly to user

GROUP WORK SUGGESTION
Use a wiki such as Microsoft Office Live for group work from various remote locations

Create and share your work online

Edit anytime, from anywhere

Pick who can access your documents

Share changes in real time

Files are stored securely online

It's MS Office so files can be resaved to open locally
      on MS Office (without going through the Web)

It's FREE!

Technology How To's ...

• Google Advanced Image Search

• YouTube

• Download / Convert Streaming Videos (Save streamed videos from YouTube, etc. for  presenting without access to Internet)

• Screen Capture (capturing an image that cannot otherwise be save to file)

• for more complete Tech Help pls see: Technology How To's ...