The most recent article added to the National Library of Medicine’s Technical Bulletin outlines 2 new features in PubMed.

1) A Download history link will be added to the PubMed, MeSH and NLM Catalog Advanced page History feature. This will download as a .csv file. (Click on the image to make it larger)

2) The search bar that includes a drop-down list of all the databases will be updated to show the last four databases searched at the top of the pull-down database menu. The alphabetic list with all the databases will also include the recently searched databases.  (Click on the image to make it larger)

Read the article online at:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/techbull/jf13/jf13_pm_history_search_bar.html

This recording covers the advantages of creating a My NCBI account, managing and manipulating your My NCBI page content using the features and options available in My NCBI. This session also identifies and differentiates between available filters on PubMed’s filter sidebar, and covers creating a custom filter.

Sometimes the audio and video portions of the recording are out of sync. If the slides don’t seem to match up with what the presenter is saying, close your browser window and reload the recording. This may fix the problem.

https://webmeeting.nih.gov/p17293427/

PMC has launched PubReader, an alternative web presentation that offers a more reader-friendly view of the articles in PMC. Designed for enhancing the readability of PMC journal articles on tablet and other small screen devices, PubReader can also be used on desktops, laptops and from multiple web browsers.

About the reader:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/about/pubreader/

Supported devices and browsers:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/about/pr-browsers/

Give it a try:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3479416/?report=reader

From the American Evaluation Association’s Potent Presentation Initiative (p2i): “How does one construct a logical and emotional message in the length (15 minutes) of a typical conference presentation?” Read about flipping the report. Put the good stuff at the beginning (of your 15 minutes). Why make the audience wait?

http://p2i.eval.org/wp-content/uploads/MessagingDemoSlides.pdf

Have you thought about using games as part of your teaching strategy?  “Games, Gamification, and the Quest for Learner Engagement” is an interesting article by Karl M. Kapp that discusses the advantages and drawbacks of games in instructional settings.  The article defines “gamification” as “the solution for incorporating the engaging aspects of games into the larger curriculum of an organization is the application of the concept of gamification. Gamification is using game-based mechanics, aesthetics, and game thinking to engage people, motivate action, promote learning, and solve problems.”   He points out that games give students the “freedom to fail” as well as building interest.

Building games can be time consuming and difficult, but one possibility is to use an online Game Builder to experiment with using games as a teaching activity.  One example is available at WISC-Online.

All online services will be available.