If you have visited the Babaganewz website in the last week, no doubt you have noticed some changes.
We are in the middle of introducing an enhanced and expanded version of the Babaganewz website and searchable Resource Libraries. It will offer a growing, carefully curated collection of resources specifically for the Jewish classroom. The collection will continue to include a wide array of free articles, games, e-cards, and videos, and will offer lesson plans and other multimedia resources for a fee. This mix will allow Babaganewz to take crucial steps toward self-sustainability, and thereby continue to create the valuable classroom materials Jewish educators have counted on for the past twelve years, through the generous support of the AVI CHAI Foundation.
The new version of the Resource Libraries will have a more powerful, faceted search feature that will make it easier than ever to find just the resources you want. Take a sneak peek at our new Resource Libraries here: http://www.behrmanhouse.com/resource-libraries.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: When will the new Resource Libraries be up and running?
A: The website should be fully changed over to the new format before the end of the month. While the website is in transition, some content may be temporarily unavailable.
Q: How will I get to the Resource Libraries on the new format?
A: The navigation buttons at the top of the Babaganewz homepage will take you directly to the Resource Libraries. Just click on Articles, Activities, MediaMidrash, Music, or Teachers. All these resources are now fully indexed in twelve categories in the new faceted search menu, making them easier than ever to find. Looking for an article about modern Israel? Simply click on Israel in the left-hand menu, and every resource related to Israel will be pulled into the search results. Refine your search further by clicking on any of the subcategories.
The Babaganewz homepage buttons for Games and Ecards will still take you to your favorite digital games such as Jewpardy, or to send a digital card.
Q: What will the Resource Libraries include?
A: The Resource Libraries will still contain all the content you have come to rely on from Babaganewz: articles on values, holidays, and current events, ideas for activities for your classes, lesson plans, videos, and music.
In addition, we will be adding a broad range of new materials, including G-dcast videos adapted especially for the Online Learning Center; Smart Game Wizard, a web-based tool that allows teachers to make digital games with their classroom content; JLand, a multilevel game environment that teaches Jewish identity; Living Jewish Values Music Video Curriculum; essays by Rabbi David Wolpe; and Torah Topics Today.
In all, over 1,600 individual resources will be in the libraries, with more coming each and every month.
Q: How will I use the Resource Libraries?
A: You can continue to use materials from the Resource Libraries as you always have--simply click and read or download and print. In addition, the Resource Libraries can be accessed through the Behrman House Online Learning Center, where members can post articles and videos directly into class pages, or organize them in special folders for later use.
Q: Will you be charging for Babaganewz materials now?
A: A great deal of material in the Resource Libraries will remain free, including a wide range of essays, articles, videos, music clips, online games, and e-cards. Some types of materials, including lesson plans and our new line of 60 PowerPoint lessons featuring Jewish values, will be available for a fee. These items will be priced individually right now; we are also developing a prepaid subscription option for schools that will be available in time for the 2012-2013 school year and will offer discounts on published prices for schools that adopt the plan.
Q: What else will Babaganewz offer?
A: Babaganewz will continue to offer the popular Technology Tuesdays series free, as well as monthly e-letters, plus online games, videos, and e-cards. We will continue to offer seven featured articles on our homepage each month, some of which will always be free.
Q: How will I pay for materials?
A: Once our site is fully transitioned, any resource that requires a payment will display a price and an "Add to Cart" button. (If there is no price and no "Add to Cart" button, the resource is FREE.) Click on the title of the resource to get additional information about the material. To buy, click "Add to Cart." Your choice will be added to the list under "Shopping Cart" at the top of the Resource Library. When you are ready to pay, click "Checkout." You will be able to enter your account information and pay by credit card, check, or purchase order from your school.
IMPORTANT: Resources you pay for by check or school purchase order will be available after your check has reached us or your school has authorized your purchase. If you need INSTANT ACCESS to materials, please use a credit card. Resource Library purchases are FINAL. As digital downloads, Resource Library materials are not returnable.
We are excited about the expanded Babaganewz and its growing list of materials for Jewish education. Thank you for your continued support as Babaganewz takes this important step toward independence!
