Research, Research, Research!

This week we launch the next phase of the Extended Essay process for IB Students, lead by Mr. Kelly, EE Coordinator. While this is a very focused process for grade 11-12 students, ISB is committed to encouraging research and inquiry at all levels. As one of the Librarians at ISB I get to see the ‘behind the scenes’ of research at ISB.  Super cool things like Grade 4 students using Virtual Reality headsets lead by HS Students, to explore underwater ecosystems, or Grade 7 students reading recent news articles and watching videos on what it means to be a forced refugee.  Research is happening everywhere and every day at ISB! In some cases the librarians will go into the class (or virtual class) to support research instruction. The last 2 weeks saw Ms. Kehe, MS Librarian, has been working in Ms. Alexander’s Health classes to work with students conducting research.  
 
It is clear ISB prioritizes research skills and inquiry learning. You might ask, ‘Why are research skills important?’  The Owlcation, Perdue Universities famous Online Writing Center wrote about this topic explaining that there are “7 Reasons Why Research is Important:“

  1. It’s a Tool for Building Knowledge and Facilitating Learning

  2. It’s a Means to Understand Issues and Increase Public Awareness

  3. It Helps Us Succeed in Business

  4. It Allows Us to Disprove Lies and Support Truths

  5. It Is a Means to Find, Gauge, and Seize Opportunities

  6. It Promotes a Love of Reading, Writing, Analyzing, and Sharing Valuable Information

  7. It Provides Nourishment and Exercise for the Mind (Zarah)

The Librarians at ISB couldn’t agree more.  We would add that ensuring that ISB students head off to the next stages of their lives, whether it be college, internships, or work, should be prepared to find the best answers to all the questions.  Additionally, we want to make sure the future generations will have the skills necessary to see through fake news and be confident in finding answers.  We are always here to help and look forward to your questions. 

Zarah, Leann. “7 Reasons Why Research Is Important.” Owlcation – Education, Owlcation – Education, 20 Dec. 2010, owlcation.com/academia/Why-Research-is-Important-Within-and-Beyond-the-Academe. Accessed 4 Feb. 2021.

LIBRARY UPDATES

  • Our new books are finally processed and ready for checkout!  There are some really exciting books for all levels.  One set of books we want to highlight in the High School is a project called The Tournament of Books.  To learn more about the Tournament take a look at the 2021 Tournament of Books Website.Mr. Bell has participated in this tournament in the past.  Join us by picking up one of these books and giving your input as to the book’s quality! Here is his Google Slide show with the books listed.
  • We need your help – we need help from everyone in making sure all patrons wear their masks in the library and maintain social distancing.  Remember as you enter the library to take a card which will help keep the numbers accurate.  Also, if the library is full the Admin team is opening the Chevron for overflow students as well as other areas for students to go to during Panther Block. Thanks for your help!  
  • Grade 6 & & students – continued in-depth research this week on their topic of choice related to Puberty. They have done an excellent job evaluating sources and finding information to answer their questions. 
  • Mr. Kelly launched the next wave of EE’s!  If you are needing help or support the library is here to help.  In particular, we developed a specific set of  Research Tools – Research tab to help and Mr. Bell is always ready to help.

TECH UPDATES

  • BigSur the Mac OS update came out last week. You are free to update.  **lf you use special programs for Music, Video, Photos, etc check with me first to see if it has been tested. 
  • Make sure your browsers (Chrome and Firefox) are updated – there are recent updates to both
  • Once you’ve done your updates remember it is best practice to restart your computer.
  • If you have hardware issues you can contact Ed Tech or Me – christob@isb.ac.th
 

Bell’s Book Recommendation

The Down Days – by Ilze Hugo 

I’ve started reading the books on the Tournament of Books list. My first was The Down Days, strictly because the cover is so cool and the topic is just strange. In South Africa a new virus has come to life that kills people with one of the symptoms is laughter. Laughing out loud becomes illegal. The country falls into a terrible state of repair and the Virus Police are overwhelmed with problems. Additionally, people start to ‘see’ those who have passed on and seem to be able to engage with these people. In a weird tale, we follow several characters through an amazing story.  This is definitely a more adult title but it has everything from mystery, tragedy, and love built into this wild ride of a story.  Enjoy! 

Melinda’s Book Recommendation

Where the World Ends – by Geraldine McCaughrean

I love Adventure/Survival stories and this was particularly fascinating due to the history, location and occupation. Set on a St. Hilda stacs off Scotland three men and a group of boys are left on to go fowling for three weeks. A variety of birds make these tall rocky stacs their home during the summer to breed.  The fowlers harvest eggs, meat, oil, and feathers to help sustain the way of life of the population of St. Kilda.  “Every time a lad came fowling on the St Kilda stacs, he went home less of a boy and more of a man. If he went home at all, that is… “. The summer of 1727 started out no different from any other but no one comes back to collect them…they have no choice but to survive as best they can through a bleak winter surrounded by the ocean with no idea when and if they will ever see home again.  This is the second YA book I have read by this author, both medal winners and deservedly so!