Team+4,+ref+log+1a


 * Team 4, Reference log 1a: Encyclopedias ||  ||<   ||
 * Reviewed by //Nigel//

//Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia// (6th Ed.). (2007). Retrieved January 26, 2010, from []

//The Columbia Encyclopedia //has been writing and revising encyclopedias since the 1920’s. This is the 6th edition and in an online format. There are nearly 1300 new entries since the last edition and almost 40% of the previous entries have been revisited and revised. The new edition boasts over 51000 entries that covers a broad scope. The website is easy to load and even easier to browse. The user can browse through a couple of different components. Users can search by key word or words or by subject. For each entry a brief synopsis is given. From there the user can choose from several links within the entry. Most of the entries provide bibliographies. The website also offers links for related information that can provide additional paths to more for more in-depth research. Some of the benefits of this type of resource are the ease of access and user friendliness. Additionally, it is effortless to cross reference entries. Once could easily lose focus with the in-text links to so many other topics. Some other benefits include the ability to print, cite, bookmark, and even email the entries. One disappointment was that the website did not offer pictures or photos with the entries as compared with print resources. __Reviewer’s Opinion __ This website was easy to navigate and even easier to read. The information is presented in a straight forward format without any bells and whistles. I think that my students could use this website as a source for online research. However, like myself, I think that many of them will miss having the photo and picture component. This is often essential for our visual learners and assisting with engagement. __Grade Level __: Middle and High __Subject Areas __: All __Overall Rating: __6 ||  ||< //Tiffany's// comment :Nigel This site has a wealth of information and seems to be updated frequently, and I agree with you that this electronic encyclopedia is fairly easy to navigate. Students can look up topics and retrieve information through a brief summary to examine the the main basis of the information retrieved.It's always a plus when students can search a number of different ways.

//Kristie's// comment :Nigel, this site includes many pictures and phots which tremendously adds to the depth of the site and the wealth of information that the site gives. Additionally, students can utilize the site to go to additional links which contain related information which also makes it a very useful tool. || Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America Online Retrieved February 5, 2010 from www. gale.com/eBooks .
 * Reviewed by //Tiffany// ||

This Reference encyclopedia recognizes that ethnic differences are transforming the American education expectations, political principles and popular culture, Gale presents a imperative, new multicultural reference. //Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America// contains 152 original essays (containing about 8,000-12,000 words each) on specific minority and ethnic groups in the U.S., highlighting subjects on culture (religions, holidays, customs, language) in addition to information on historical background and settlement patterns. The //Encyclopedia// also covers ethno religious groups such as Jews, Chaldeans and Amish. Each essay has a listing of organizations and research centers; names addresses and contact information for periodicals, radio and television stations; and a list of suggestions for further reading. Also featured is a general annotated bibliography with over 100 items concerning multiculturalism. Its scope, combined with reliable headings throughout each essay, and more than 250 photographs and illustrations and subject index combine to make it the most complete and accessible source available. This title is now available in eBook format through //Gale Virtual Reference Library.//
 * Grade**: Internet savvy 5th and higher.
 * Age**: 10/11 and older.

S**ubject area**: multicultural


 * Rating**: 10


 * ||  ||   ||<  //Nigel's// comment : I love that this resource is online avaialable to students 24/7. This would be a great resource for Social Studies, Geography and cross curricular assignments. For older studnets the annotated bibliography would be a useful resource for futher study.

//Kristie's// comment : Tiffany, This is a great tool to utilize when researching multicultural information. I always find that this time of year (Black History Month) everyone is looking for new and innovative ways to explore Black History. This encylopedia can certainly be utilized for that purpose. One feature that I particularly liked about this tool is the names and addresses and other contact information for the periodicals, etc. ||
 * Keller, R.S., & Ruether, R.R. (Eds.). //Encyclopedia of// //Women and Religion in North America// (Vol. 2). Bloomington: Indiana, University Press.

Volume 2 focuses on women with a focus on Oriental women in Orthodox traditions. Additionally, this volume also chronicles a more up to date condition of women's religious experiences in North America. This encyclopedia is also a collection of many scholars that actually makes for a very thorough examination of women and religion in North America which is seemingly directed toward a wide, general audience. The encyclopedia is interreligious, interracial, and multicultural and is aimed at a broad general audience. The encyclopedia is comprised of a number of lengthy essays which accurately explain significant themes throughout the encyclopedia including many focuses on important institutions, ideas, and movements. In addition, the encyclopedia includes biographical sketches in many of the essays which lends a colorful value to the reference as it relates to women in North American and their religious lives. This section ends with modern day issues of women in religion. Additional sections focus on Islamic and Asian women and new religious movements, religions with women as the center, social reform, women, and religion, and movements that focus on multiple denominations. This resource would be used by a college student focusing on women’s studies or a theology student working on a research paper/ dissertation on women around the world and religion. My overall rating would be 8.

Grade: College students or above

Age: 16 and beyond

Subject Area: Women's Studies and Religion

Rating: 8 out of 10 ||  ||<  //Nigel's// comment : What a really cool book for older students. As a middle school teacher, I can see our social studies teachers using it as a resource to highlight the religious experience in North America. However, becuse it is a compilation of essays, I don't think that many middle school students would be perusing the pages. Great resource for high school and college level studnents.

//Tiffany's// comment : Kristie, this would be an excellent read both for students and aduts. This resource seems to cover a vast amount of material, without biases and represents a general understanding of interreligious, interracial, and multicultural practices/views. The only negative im my opinion would be the lengthy essays. I guess thats why you recommended that the target audience be College students or higher. ||