Learning Objectives

• Identify best practices for using ISearch in the classroom.
• Reflect on learning by sharing information with others.

The five lessons in the Helping Students and Staff use ISearch module focus on how you can help your students, their parents, and your colleagues use ISearch. This lesson will help you help your students search for best results in the My Library tab. Start by showing them how to find a specific item or an item by a specific author in your school library. Once they have practiced this search, build on their knowledge, and help them find books in your school library with information on a topic.

Helping Students Stay Focused on the Task

Prepare students for the lesson by showing them each of the tabs and talking about the results they will find in each. Let them know they will have the opportunity to use the other tabs, but that today they are to use the My Library Tab only. They will be searching for a book to read or for learning. 

Graphic organizers can be a helpful way to help students stay focused on the task when using a computer or other device to find information. Consider using one from Cult of Pedagogy to help you keep students engaged in the learning. 

Searching for a Title in the My Library Tab

1. Tell students that ISearch is a great resource to look for books in your school library or information on a topic because it's full of resources that the library purchases and recommends.
2. Show students how to find ISearch. If you are working with young students, direct them to an instance of ISearch that shows only their library or show them how to select their library from the drop-down menu.
3. Demonstrate a search that uses a few words from the title of a book in your library or an author's last name. For example, you could try a search for dog man or pilkey.
4. Point out the call number (1) and availability (2).
5. Talk about the icons that indicate what kind of media the item is - book, video, eBook, or other material.

Be sure to provide instruction to students on how to locate a book in the library. Consider tips from this Library Media Connection article to get you started.

Searching By Topic in the My Library Tab

1. Tell students that ISearch is a great place to look for books in your school library or information on a topic because it's full of resources that the library purchases and recommends.
2. Show students how to find ISearch. If you are working with young students, consider directing them to an instance of ISearch that shows only their library (rather than all the libraries in the district) or show them how to select their library from the drop-down menu.
3. Demonstrate a search that uses simple keywords to show them how to find books in your library with information on a topic. For example, you could try a search for polar bears.
4. Point out the tabs at the top but let students know they are focusing on the My Library tab.

Let students know if there isn't anything on their topic in your school library or if their search is too narrow, they might land on the Encyclopedias tab.

Learn More About the Results

Once you have conducted the search and have results, be sure to model for students how they can learn more about each book and how to use the limiters on the left to find just the right item.

Click a book cover to show students they can find more information about that book including information they can use to cite the book for a report or research project.

Discuss the limiters that appear in the left column.

Ask students to record the item and its location on a piece of paper and then help them find the book.

Failing Forward

Read the article If You Have to Fail—And You Do—Fail Forward. "Failing forward" involves learning from mistakes or errors to achieve success. One way to help students fail forward and develop grit is to provide them with opportunities in safe spaces to make, identify, correct, and learn from mistakes. Complete these steps to give students a positive example for how they can learn from mistakes to achieve success.

1. Demonstrate a search for captin underpants (spelling captain incorrectly on purpose).
2. You will land on the Encyclopedias tab and will see a message that says "Click another tab for results."

1. Tell students, "Whoops, that didn't work, did it? I know I have Captain Underpants books in my library. What's wrong? And it looks like I'm not on the My Library tab anymore? What should I try?" Let students provide suggestions or try to help you find the error.
2. Explain that if ISearch can't find any results in your school library, it will automatically try looking in Encyclopedias. Click the My Library tab.
3. From the My Library tab, see if the "Did You Mean" suggested search link applies to your search terms. Tell students that sometimes this can help them find what they are looking for. Click the link.
4. Remind students if they don't find what they are looking for with their first search, they can try another search or ask you for help.

Reflecting on Your Learning

Answer the following questions in the ISearch Users Open Space group Discussions. Find the Teaching Students to Search the My Library Tab reflection question in the Discussions tab. Reply to the thread and review other participants' responses.

1. At what grade level or age do you begin introducing your students to your online catalog?
2. Will you need to point out the tabs across the top? Does it depend on the age or reading level of your students?
3. What do you need to share about the limiters on the My Library tab with your students? Are there any limiters that will be more useful to older students than younger students?
4. Can you think of a time when you have made, identified, corrected, and learned from a mistake? How did you feel when you made it through that process?