An Animated Discussion

Web Resources

“Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation.”
– Walt Disney

When we say something is animated, we are conveying that that person or thing is full of life and movement. With that in mind, what could make learning and teaching resources more interesting than using the power of animation to add a little life and movement? The advent of new, user-friendly technologies have made animation available to anyone with the time and the story to tell. Animations can help us visualize what is intangible and witness processes that we might otherwise never see.

North Harris College’s Biology Department has assembled a web page with links to Science Animations, Movies & Interactive Tutorial Links. These mini-movies have impact, especially if you’re trying to understand the finer points of a particular process. The animations are categorized into the following categories: Microbiology, Plants, Animals, Ecology, Geology, Astronomy and Physics. While you’re there, check out the “Einstein Light” animation under the Physics category, just to see if it makes the theory of relativity (E=MC2) any clearer for you. I personally watched it several times and I’m more confused than ever! But it was really interesting, nonetheless…

Another great place to track down free instructional animations is at the Intute web site. Intute is an online service providing access to web resources for education and research. All their material is evaluated and selected by a network of subject specialists. To locate the animations, simply enter “interactive animations” in the search box. You can also search for thousands of resources in the areas of Science and Technology, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences and Health and Life Sciences.

Library Resources

We’re always happy when people take the time to read our BRAINblog, and now that you’re here, why don’t you stay a while longer? If you look in the box on the right-hand side of the screen, and scroll down to under the archived posts, you’ll see the neat tutorials we’ve put together for our readers. Learn about RSS, blogging basics, social bookmarking, internet tools, how to find the Hamilton Spectator in our databases and how to set up journal alerts in both EBSCOhost and ProQuest.

Our scholarly library presentations are right under the tutorials. Take a journey into Google Scholar, social software applications and blogging basics. The (magical mystery) information discovery tour is a must for anybody who’s new to the world of post-secondary research.

And while we’re shamelssly promoting the exciting, multi-media resources that are available through the Library @ Mohawk, let’s tell you about our latest BRAINcast! Yes, even your favourite library is getting in on all the podcast action. This week’s tutorial: Choose your Sources! Join us as we chat about the best sources to use for your particular assignment or class. Download us to your ipod, or simply listen via the web.

Thanks for visiting, and see you next time!

The Clumsy Brainiac

They say that this is the time of year for minor accidents and other klutzy incidences. The time change, the sensory-deprivation of big mittens and clunky boots combine with a foreboding sense of “I have to get this done before the holidays!” to make this the time of year when many of us should stock up on our band-aids. We here at the Library @ Mohawk have certainly had our share of embarrassing moments lately! But I digress…

Web Resources

I recently tripped over (pun intended) some really interesting websites to help you feel super-smart even when you’re having an ego-injuring kind of day. The first one is Brainiac: What’s Happening in the World of Ideas. Put out by The Boston Globe, this blog is a safety net for people whose curiousity might otherwise lead them to go “the way of the cat”. Find out what others are thinking about books, sports, music, philosophy, and just about everything else. Getting smart about the issues can be as easy as falling off a log!

Did you know that many of the world’s greatest discoveries were accidents? Teflon, penicillin and Velcro were all stumbled upon by scientists trying to do something else! The Science Channel: Discoveries this Week fact page highlights interesting facts and discoveries from the world of science, archaeology and technology. And speaking of accidents, here’s a fact, straight from the site: “Workers in coal mines often ended up with accidental tattoos created when coal dust got into wounds and healed there. Accidental tattoos from gunpowder explosions can explode themselves if treated with a laser during removal. “ Now you know why your mom was always chasing you with the antiseptic.

Library News

We recently posted our latest podcast, and it’s just waiting for your eager ears. It’s a tour of the Library web site, TheBRAIN. Enjoy our friendly voices while you kick back and sip your double-foam caramel macchiatto latte – you’ll learn things that will help you make the most of the Library @ Mohawk. Check out our BRAINcast website today!

If you haven’t already visited our new and improved FacultySpace site, now is the time! Our resources are easier than ever to access, and our new style is simply divine. As always, if you need in-person help with any of your research, the library staff is eager to make contact!

***

Thanks for visiting the BRAINblog, and feel free to comment below on anything you have read here today. We’ll see you next time, and just watch your step on the way out!