Education Minister launches UQ online tool for high school students
Students from Queensland secondary schools are finding it easier to research their assignments online through a University of Queensland Library initiative.
UQ Library last year successfully piloted a project known as Cyberschool to give secondary students a taste of university research skills. This year it has opened access to all Queensland State and private high schools.
Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said the project was designed to help smooth the transition from school to University.
"Students arrive at university already equipped with tertiary level literature research skills," he said. "This project is part of a range of initiatives such as the University's Enhanced Studies Program and the Leo Howard Vacation School which aims to make the transition as seamless as possible."
University Librarian Janine Schmidt said the University Library began work on the UQL Cyberschool early in 1998 in partnership with international database publisher, Information Access Company. She said the UQL Cyberschool was a web 'place' where high school students could go to do online research using state-of-the-art electronic databases and information tools.
"Students at participating schools have shown their teachers, librarians and parents they are delighted with Cybershool. Some students send their search results home by email to use in assignment preparation," she said.
Education Minister Dean Wells will launch the UQ Library Cyberschool at a function on Monday, August 2 at the conference room, level one, Duhig Building, St Lucia at 4pm.
Mrs Schmidt said in tandem with Cyberschool, the University of Queensland Library developed a UQL Cyberschool web site to provide schools with a gateway to databases and access to the library's online catalogue and information finding tools.
The Cyberschool uses Expanded Academic ASAP, an international database offering balanced, full text coverage of a full range of subject disciplines, from advertising and microbiology to history, political science, and art history. It also incorporates many interdisciplinary journals, national news magazines, and The New York Times.
The database currently contains approximately 1600 indexed and 750 full text journal titles including Australian journals. Additional titles are being added as rights are received, with the goal to bring the product to 1000 full text journals.
Participating schools include Kenmore State High School, Brisbane Girls Grammar, Indooroopilly State High School, Somerville House, St Peter's Lutheran College and Trinity Anglican School.
Media: Further information: Janine Schmidt, telephone 07 3365 6342.
