The INK THINK TANK Database is a versatile search engine designed to produce lists of award-winning nonfiction books that give your students all the information required by National Education Standards and the curriculum practices of your school district. The site also links users to current authors of nonfiction books in the areas of science, math, technology, history and other areas.
Type of Material:
This site is a database linked to educational standards
Recommended Uses:
This is primarily a resource for teachers seeking interesting, engaging and enticing resources to catch and hold student interest while developing standards-based knowledge, skills and understanding in specific areas of the curriculum using authentic information, problems and events. It could be used in a classroom by partners, teams, or individuals.
Technical Requirements:
Computer capable of playing audiovisual materials; access to the Internet and a current web browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
This site is designed to use current, relevant and interesting nonfiction literature to engage student interest in standards-based learning. Materials are available to match content and grade level with national standards in math, science, language arts, social sciences, health and physical education. Authors have linked their resources (e.g., non-fiction books) to curriculum standards through a database.
Target Student Population:
Materials are available to support learning and teaching throughout the K-12 system. Resources are available to support multiple reading levels, gifted learners and learners with special needs.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Teachers should have a clear idea of content and desired standards to be met for the most effective search results. Users need to register on the site (no cost) in order to use the database system.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The selection menu for setting up search criteria in the database is thorough and current and is clearly connected with content standards addressed by most major organizations focused on teaching content in specific areas (e.g., NCTE, NSTA & NCTM). The authors on call section of the site allows teachers to learn more about the authors and how they focus on learning and teaching, and teachers can make arrangements for the authors to link to classes through video conferencing.
Concerns:
The user must enroll by providing a page full of data. Once signed-in, the user has access to a search page which can access many of books. However, although the books have short summaries, the only option to use the material is to purchase the material in advance and then try to use it.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The database contains a wide range of books in all standard curriculum subject areas and designed for all reading levels in K-12 education. Books selected for the database are all award winning non-fiction books that engage students minds, imagination, curiosity and desire to dig deeper in specific subject areas. The search terms include grade level, subject areas and national educational standards. It is easy to find nonfiction books that support multiple standards and facilitate cross-curricular learning activities.
Concerns:
The site focuses on nonfiction books only. Those seeking fiction books to support curriculum standards will need to look elsewhere.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
This site is very easy to use. All links load quickly and each step has clear and easy-to-use instructions to get the best results from the database search. There is also an area that provides links to research-based information on the effectiveness of integrating nonfiction books in the curriculum to support standards-based learning.
Concerns:
The scrolling bar format on the front page is dizzying. Once a book is selected and added to the cart, the system crashed for one reviewer upon checkout. Some users, faced with this frustration, might log off.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
