Information Smorgasbord!

This week, we have a grab bag of tasty information tidbits, a veritable information smorgasbord! We�ve got another installment of �there�s more to life than Google�, we�ve got information on two great new databases, we have a very handy tutorial about finding articles in Evidence-Based Nursing, and lots more! Let the feast begin!

1. There�s More to life than Google: AllTheWeb
As mentioned in a previous BRAIN_blog post, every now and then we will try to feature search engines other than Google to let you know about alternative options available to you when searching the Internet. In this entry, we feature AllTheWeb.
Similar to Google, AllTheWeb lets you search categories of information. For example, Google allows you to search in �Images�, �Groups�, �Directory�, and �News�. AllTheWeb offers �News� and �Pictures� but also offers �Video�, �Audio�, and �FTP Files�. In addition, unlike Google, you can also include or exclude specific file types such as Flash, .wav or various video formats. This is useful if you are looking on the web for a tutorial or learning activity in a multimedia format. Another unique feature is the ability to limit the size of the files that you find.
Like Google, AllTheWeb features a user-friendly and simple interface. There are also options for an Advanced Search and customization of search results.
Check out the useful �Clusters� at the bottom of the search results. These are suggested search terms based on your query. In brackets are the numbers of results for each suggested term or group of terms.
Next time you search the web and you aren�t satisfied with your Google results, give AllTheWeb a try at:
http://www.alltheweb.com
For a comparison of the features of various search engines, check out the Search Engine Showdown.

2. Two new databases available from The BRAIN
We have two new databases from the information company EBSCOhost!
Communication & Mass Media Complete: This database contains the full-text for over 200 titles and also indexes encyclopedias and handbooks in the area of communications and mass media studies. Some titles included are: Advertising Age, Film Quarterly, News Media & The Law, and Trends in Communication.
American Humanities Index: This database indexes over 1000 journals published in the United States and Canada from 1975 to the present. It provides citation information for articles, essays and reviews, as well as original creative works including poems, fiction, photographs, paintings and illustrations in the area of the humanities.
Access both of these resources from the Databases Page.

3. Having trouble finding articles in Evidence-Based Nursing?
Attention nursing students and faculty!! If you�re using the little search engine on the Evidence-Based Nursing publisher�s web site (http://ebn.bmjjournals.com/), that may be the problem. This search engine does a keyword search in article title as well as in the text of articles. You will have to think of EVERY possible relevant keyword/term to describe the topic of interest if you are to do a comprehensive search of the journal. Read this tutorial to find out how to let the CINAHL index and search engine do the work for you!
EBNsearch.doc

4. Remote access tutorial updated
Our remote access tutorial has been updated with handy screenshots of what you will see when you access any of our proprietary online databases (such as EBSCOhost or ProQuest) from home. Check it out at: http://www.mohawkc.on.ca/dept/library/brain/remote_users.htm

5. Get your groove on at the e-Library!
Live music will be featured during Common Hour on March 3rd at the e-Library @ Fennell. Read more about it:
MohawkGuitars.pdf

Focus on e-learning

This week, a small departure from libraryland as we look at some hot topics in e-learning�the issues, the challenges and the excitement! First off, some new information about copyright, (very important to consider when developing online courses); then some predictions for e-learning for 2004; next, an interesting look at integrating SCT Banner, Pipeline/Luminus and online courseware in higher education, and then an indispensable piece on the social software that your students are using! Don�t be left out in the cold�get in the loop with these essential e-reads!

1. Copyright Exclusions
Access Copyright has made a change to the copyright Exclusions List which takes effect 60 days from Feb.1, 2004. �Institutions are entitled to use, offer for sale, sell or distribute all copies of any published work made prior to the April 1, 2004 effective date.� More information.
To download a copy of the Exlusions list:
http://www.accesscopyright.ca/pdfs/PressReleases/postsec_exclusions.pdf

2. Predictions on the future of e-learning
Check out this month�s issue of the free, online journal eLearn Magazine for some interesting predictions of e-learning trends for 2004. Fascinating quotes from visionaries in the e-learning field are included in the �Column� section of this month�s issue.
http://www.elearnmag.org/

3. �Integrated Information Systems for the Campus�
�is the title of an article in this month�s issue of Syllabus. (Syllabus is a free online magazine about technology in higher education.) This article is particularly interesting for us here at Mohawk as it details how a university in the U.S. implemented SCT Banner, Pipeline/Luminus as well as many different course management packages (just like we are doing now!) An interview with the Associate Vice President for Computing and Information Technology and CIO at Wayne State University is featured. Check it out at: http://www.syllabus.com/article.asp?id=8865

4. What your students are doing on the Internet�
�We-Learning: Social Software and e-Learning Part II�
From the free, online journal Learning Circuits comes a must-read article about social software and its effect on e-learning. Find out what your students are using to manage their online social networks. The article notes that social software has been called the �Technology of the Year for 2003� and it is certainly coming of age now in 2004. Not only does this article contain a useful overview of the concepts but it also features links to the popular social software tools out there as well as a great webliography so that you can learn more about it.