That’s right. As an Ohio citizen you are the owner of a great personal library that resides in your computer. INFOhio is the Information Network for Ohio Schools and is funded by your tax dollars. Through special licensing agreements with data subscription services, all Ohio students have access to quality online resources at just a fraction of what a district would pay for them without the state contracts. So, just what all do you own?

YOU are very information-rich. Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of the online resources available through INFOhio, just to call them to your attention. When it is cold outside, you can stay warm inside and still get that school assignment or project completed! Visit www.infohio.org

A handy resource that you have at your fingertips is the Oxford Reference Online Premium Collection. This is just like having an entire bookcase of reference books in your den! The collection has more than 130 complete reference titles, fully indexed and cross-searchable, from a wide range of disciplines. None of these resources are extensive. Think of each as a single volume dictionary-style reference book on a topic. What are some of those topics? History, Science, Performing Arts, Military History, Mythology & Folklore, Religion & Philosophy, Literature, Biology, Law, Medicine, Economics, Business, Architecture and the list goes on. Again, you will find quality web sites linked through these books, as well as timelines, photos and maps.

Ever wish you had access to more newspapers than just those in the Toledo area? You do! Check out NewsBank and you’ll see that you have access to almost every major newspaper in Ohio and many local papers, also. But the good news doesn’t end there! You also have access to many national newspapers including The Chicago Tribune, The Detroit News, The Indianapolis Star and The Washington Post. Again, this resource has been infused with quality web sites to enhance student research.

 

Another handy resource you have available to you is Science Online by Facts on File. The award-winning Science Online offers a comprehensive, curriculum-oriented overview of a broad range of scientific disciplines through extensive definitions, essays, diagrams, biographies, and experiments. The content is organized by subject area and type of resource, as well as by national and state science education standards. Users can follow an extensive network of hyperlinks and suggested searches to related topics. 

 

World Book Web contains encyclopedias for three levels: World Book Kids (K-5), World Book Online Reference Center (6-8), and World Book Advanced (HS and college). 

World Book Web is a powerful reference tool that includes encyclopedic, multimedia, e-book, and primary source databases, fully integrated in a single search. Research tools, including dictionary, atlas, and local and country research guides, help users compile the data and information they need to complete their assignments and background research. Also available from World Book are two foreign language online encyclopedias. L'Encyclopédie Découverte is an online French language encyclopedia that is appropriate for younger French-speaking students and students just learning the French language. La Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos is an online Spanish language encyclopedia that is appropriate for younger Spanish-speaking students and students just learning the Spanish language..

So just how do you get to your library in your computer? You can always get to the district online resources and the resources offered through INFOhio through Your Virtual IMC portal at http://genoaschools.net/Staff/pscline/HS%20Online%20Resources%20Page.htm. Or you can go directly to www.infohio.org and click on the CORE RESOURCES button to access those mentioned above and many more that will be highlighted in the weeks to come. If you want to teach yourself how to effectively use these resources, look for help menus or tutorials within the products. We are not allowed to give passwords out over the web, so please request passwords from your building librarian. Students are given bookmarks with the address and passwords on it for the INFOhio resources. For an overview of INFOhio, check out the video at www.infohio.org/Parent/OutreachKit/Video2005.html
It’s short but gives you the big picture. You’ll find other valuable information for parents by clicking on the Parents link at the top.

 

Please feel free to use me, Paula Cline, as a resource to learn about any of our district or state online resources, also. You can contact me at 855-7735, ext. 13 and if you are by your computer with a question about the resources, I might be able to walk you through the answer. Or you can e-mail me at pscline@genoaschools.com.