How to use the Resource Bank

Help topics:

1. Website address
2. How to search for a resource
3. What is the advanced search?
4. How to conduct an advanced search
5. How to view all resources in the Resource Bank
6. How to add a resource to the Resource Bank

1. Website address

The Resource Bank homepage can be found at http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ncs/resourcebank

2. How to search for a resource

From any page within the website, click ‘Search for Resources’ from the navigation menu on the left hand side of the screen

The ‘Search the Resource Bank’ page is divided into three sections:

1. Industry Sector
2. Sustainability Aspect
3. Education Level

A list of general search terms is provided for each of these three sections. A checkbox appears next to each search term. To conduct a search, follow these steps:

1. select appropriate search terms for each section (tick checkboxes)
2. click the ‘Search’ button at the bottom of the page

A result page will appear indicating the number of resources found in the Resource Bank that match the search terms you selected. A list of resource titles will follow.

Click on the title of a resource to view a brief description, organisation name and the website address.

For a more specific search you can increase the number of terms selected or conduct an advanced search.

3. What is the advanced search?

The advanced search function allows you to further define your search by selecting more specific search terms. An advance search is available for the ‘Sustainability Aspect’ and ‘Education Level’ sections.

To find out how to use the advanced search refer to ‘4. How to conduct an advanced search’

4. How to conduct an advanced search

The advanced search is hidden from the ‘Search the Resource Bank’ page.
To conduct an advanced search, select one of the following options:

1. Click ‘Advanced Search’ link in red at top of screen to show the advanced search terms for both the Sustainability Aspect and Education Level Advanced Search term boxes underneath each section heading.
2. Click ‘Try the Sustainability Aspect Advanced Search’ link in red at the bottom of the Sustainability Aspect section: this will open the Sustainability Aspect Advanced Search term box.
3. Click ‘Try the Education Level Advanced Search’ link in red at the bottom of the Education Level section: this will open the Education Level Advanced Search term box.

Clicking on a link a second time will hide the Advanced Search terms.

Once enabled the advanced search provides a greater choice of search terms to further define a search for appropriate resources. Select any number of checkboxes to define your search parameters. The advanced search terms can be selected independently or in conjunction with the more general search terms.

5. How to view all resources in the Resource Bank

From the ‘Search for Resources’ page you have the option to view all resources listed in the Resource Bank should you not wish to conduct a search.

To view all resources in the Resource Bank follow these steps:

1. click ‘Search for Resources’ from the navigation menu
2. click ‘View All Resources’ at the top of the screen.

This page is organised in alphabetically order using resource titles.

6. How to add a resource to the Resource Bank

You are encouraged to share existing information with other users by submitting relevant resources for inclusion to this site. If you know of a web based resource that you think others would benefit from, we invite you to tell us about it so that we can include it in the Resource Bank. All new resources are submitted to the National Centre for Sustainability for approval prior to inclusion on the Resource Bank website.

To add a resource select the ‘Add a Resource’ button from the navigation menu on the left hand side. An entry form will appear. The ‘Your Contact Details’ and ‘Resource Information’ fields are compulsory. You will be notified via the email address you provide of the submission and approval status of the resource you add. Please fill in search terms to the best of your ability; providing an indication of the possible Industry Sector, Sustainability Aspect and Education Level you think the resource best relates to, by checking the boxes next to a search term.

Once you have filled out the form, click the ‘Submit Resource’ button at the bottom of the screen.