Opposing Viewpoints in Context

Using Opposing Viewpoints In Context Website

Multnomah County Library web site: www.multcolib.org

Opposing Viewpoints In Context is a database available through the Multnomah County Library with a library card. Use this database to find:

• Pro and Con arguments about a social issue like genetic engineering, censorship, endangered species, and terrorism

• Background material on the topic (biographies of social activists, court cases, profiles of government agencies

• Images

• News media coverage of a topic.

• Links to websites featuring articles about the topic.

How do I get to Opposing Viewpoints In Context?

1. Start at the Multnomah County Library web site: www.multcolib.org

2. Click on the Homework Center link

3. Click on the link at Homework databases

4. Click on Social issues (Opposing Viewpoints). Click on this link.

5. Type in your Multnomah County Library card number and PIN. (Your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your telephone number.)

Select a topic to explore. For example Guns and Violence (a subtopic of Law and Politics) is a topic that may have high interest appeal. The depth of topics and articles becomes apparent.

The Tools menu, on when viewing an article, translations into 8 languages besides English!

Another great feature is the Interactive Map included with many topics shows statistical representations of some issues. To scroll all interactive maps, use the black menu bar:

How to use this website for differentiated instruction:

The features of this site that lend themselves to differentiating for content acquisition include:

· l -For articles all text read aloud or highlighted portions to be read back, or download an MP3

· Translation tool-(Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and Koran); can also be printed

· Multimedia (images, video, audio podcasts, interactive maps with poll ideas, content level designations for the essays);

· Online access is available for home use www.multcolib.org

· Content levels (advanced, intermediate, basic and low) to match student level through multiple resource for each topic provides all different

Instruction strategies for differentiating content, environment and process

· Pre-assessment-know your student-The number of resources to help teachers choose from can meet the needs of students (interests, style, readiness…).

· Use interactive read aloud with

o essays with content levels above student level

o high interest issues

o whole group activity

· Use sentence frames and question starters in all discussion/interactive situations for English language learners which is any student who is learning academic or basic language skills

· Manage level of questioning for any point in the learning process using question starters

· Very user friendly site for easy access for students

· Get help http://multcolib.org/contact/ including “live” help

· Get Help“Social issues (Opposing Viewpoints” Arguments and analysis of more than 1,000 controversial topics. For help using this database, click here.” http://multcolib.org/homework/handouts/Opposing%20Viewpoints%20in%20Context%202010.pdf

· Interaction/Engagement Techniques will engage students through a myriad of processes