Before the instructor’s lecture and demonstration about specialized databases, students complete a short pretest that covers basic information about databases and how to use them in order to prime them to learn more. The instructor may also give an identical post-test at the end of class to see how much students learned from his/her lecture and demonstration.
Other activities in this series: Activity 5B, Subject Heading Searching
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Begin forming a mental map of important information about specialized databases.
- Learn more from the instructor’s subsequent lecture and demonstration than they otherwise would have.
- Use specialized databases.
Relevant Threshold Concepts
- Research as inquiry.
Suggestions for Use
- This activity should be helpful in classes where student researchers will be choosing and using databases.
- Alter your lecture and demonstration, if necessary, so it includes what’s on the pretest and post-test, Handouts 5A-1 and 5A-2. If you would rather not, then plan to go over the answers with students before beginning your lecture and demonstration.
- If you prefer different questions on the pre-and post-test, change and/or delete the ones currently there and adjust the class time accordingly if your tests are longer. Pretests and post-tests have to be identical but do not have to cover your entire lecture and demonstration.
- Students can complete Handouts 5A-1 and 5A-2 electronically or in print.
- Consider assigning students to read before class the section “Specialized Databases,” Chapter 5, Search Tools in Choosing & Using Sources.
Pre-Class Preparation
- Look over Handouts 5A-1 and 5A-2.
- Review In-Class Procedure below.
- Decide whether you are going to use just the pretest or both the pretest and post-test.
- Decide whether you want students to complete Handouts 5A-1 and 5A-2 on paper or electronically.
- If you decided on electronic handouts, put Handouts 5A-1 and 5A-2 in your learning management system.
- As you prepare your lecture and demonstration of how, when, and why to use database(s), make sure to incorporate in a few sentences the concepts and advice that are the subject of the pretest and post-test.
- Download/print In-Class Procedure so you can take it with you to class.
In-Class Procedure
- If you’re having students use printed copies of Handout 5A-1, pass them out or set them where students can pick them up as they come in.
- Introduce the activity by telling students you’re going to be talking about specialized databases today and ask them the question: what are specialized databases? If students don’t know or won’t say, answer the question for them.
- If you’re using electronic handouts, tell students where to find Handout 5A-1.
- Ask students to complete Handout 5A-1 within 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, collect the print handouts or ask students to stop working on the electronic copies.
- Go over the questions on the pretest if you have not incorporated them into your lecture and demonstration.
- Deliver your lecture and demonstration.
- If you’re using the post-test, 15 minutes before the end of class distribute copies of Handout 5A-2 or tell students where to find the electronic version.
- Ask students to complete it within 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, collect the print handouts or ask students to stop work on the electronic handout.
- After class, score the pretest and, if you used it, the post-test. You may score it for individual students or for the class as a whole.
- Return the completed handouts to students when you’re ready.
Relevant Choosing & Using Sources Chapters:
Chapter 5, Search Tools, “Specialized Databases.”
