Explore Online Learning Links

This directory is a collection of what the library staff considers to be the best and most useful links and resources for a range of key subject areas. Staff have considered accessibility, authoritative sources as well as their ease of use and aim to present a fair and well rounded perspective of the respective subject matter

1. Learn about the Ipswich Area

Discover Ipswich – you may find out something that you never knew before.
Ipswich Community and Cultural Directory – list hosted by the Ipswich City Council includes disability, indigenous, multicultural, youth and senior groups and organisations. Promote your group by adding details to the list.
Picture Ipswich – a collection of historical images of Ipswich which provides a unique insight to the local history of Ipswich.
Ipswich History Subject Guide – suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Ipswich Art Gallery – do you know what’s happening at your Art Gallery?
Oral Histories of the Ipswich Area –a collection of oral histories produced covering a broad range of topics relevant to the history of the City of Ipswich.
Parks and Gardens in the Ipswich area - find out more about the attractive and useable parklands provided by the Ipswich City Council for the use of the people of Ipswich.
Senior Net – seniors helping seniors to learn about computers and the web.
Volunteer Opportunities – volunteering helps the community and builds your skills at the same time.
Queensland Times - read the local newspaper online.
Real Estate – search for a house to buy or rent.

2. Learning sites with loads of topics

About.com’s video tutorials – a wide range of categories including:- parenting, find a job, sport and hobbies.
eHow – a popular place to find clear instructions on how to do just about everything. Topics include electronics, photography, health, weddings and home and garden. Text and video available.
Expert Village - a huge choice of professionally produced and researched videos, to answer your everyday questions. Topics include sport and fitness, pets, music, food and internet.
Howcast – offers engaging, useful how-to videos and guides on whenever you need to know. Check out their sections on:-
- Cars and transportation
- Mind and body
- Business and finance
How stuff works – wide range of topics. Often has advertising before the selected video.
HP online learning center - an opportunity to take free classes on a wide range of computer related topics. Classes are presented over a week or more.
Instrucatbles – detailed text guides, some slide shows and videos available. If you don’t know what to do, explore this rather quirky site.
Learn that – text based training. Categories include: –
- Business
- Computers
- Finance
- House and Home Repair
- Software
- Lifestyle – games, pets sport and travel
SuTree – use SuTree to learn (almost) anything you wish. I love the section on magic. You might want to:-
- Fix stuff at home
- Solve math problems
- Improve your golf or basketball skills
- Prepare a cheesecake
- Speak Chinese
- Choose your next holiday destination
- Find online games
View Do – simple informative videos covering topics such as:-
- Arts and Craft
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Music
- Outdoors
Wonder How To - this site hand-selects instructional videos from over 1,700 websites. Check out the Wonder of the day section. Other topics include language, self help, games and art and craft.
Wydea - simple science and technology videos. Limited number of topics but clear illustrations and explanation

3. Ready Reference

Databases – available through the Ipswich library website. Includes:-
- General knowledge
- Newspapers and magazines
- Health and fitness
- Music
- Science
- Careers
Internet Public Library – basic research tools such as almanacs, dictionaries and encyclopaedias
Maps Subject Guide - suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Wikipedia - a web based encyclopaedia.
- Powerset – a search engine that shows a summary of articles found in Wikipedia and finds related articles.
Your Tutor – the library provides a free connection this site. Students can connect with tutors who provide instant help and coaching in all main subject areas. See how Your Tutor works.

4. Art and Photography

Advanced drawing techniques - 40 Free Tutorials on Advanced Drawing Techniques. Generally text with some video options. Includes -
- Hands
- Eyes
- Human face
- General sketching tips
Digital photography tips – a series of tutorials on photographing a variety of situations and subjects from weddings to urban landscapes to zoos
PopPhoto HowTo Archive - a collection of photography how-to articles covering image editing, composition, lighting, and more.
Online Photo Fun – links from the Ipswich Library technology training series. Lists web sites to add enhancements and share your digital images.

5. Computers and the Internet

Subject Guide - suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Subject Guide from the Internet Public Library -the collection includes information technology, computing machines, their connections, and their capabilities.
BBC Web Wise – tutorials for beginners who want to know about the web.
In Plain English – a collection of informative videos from Common Craft. Click on Browse videos for the list available.
Goodwill Community Foundation - text based lessons with good content. The site is easy to use. Includes –
- Internet basics
- Email basics
- Internet safety
- Facebook 101
- Office software
- Work & career – resumes, cover letters,
The Computer School – text based tutorials. Includes:-
- Computer basics
- Windows Vista operating system
- MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher
- Dreamweaver
- Photoshop
Education online for computers - acts as a search engine and finds sites that have training for:–
- Dreamweaver
- Photoshop
- Desktop publishing
- Imaging and graphics
- Microsoft Office 2007
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Windows
- Web development
Mastering the Mouse – list of sites to build mouse skills for beginners
Mousing Around – a follow along tutorial about the mouse and web. Would take about 40-50 minutes to complete.
Microsoft Office – free self paced training courses.
Photoshop tutorials blog – excellent quality video tutorials with interesting tips and tricks.
PhotoshopStar - how to Photoshop articles and tutorials on a variety of different techniques.
Inpictures - tutorials on a number of popular computer programs based on pictures not words. Programs include:-
- Access 03/07
- Excel 03/07
- Powerpoint 03/07
- Publisher 03/07
- Word 03/07
TechTutorials - offers a directory containing thousands of free tutorials for IT professionals, hobbyists, and home users. Their goal is to help you solve your computer problems and learn new technologies using the many existing free tutorials available on the internet.
Getting Started with HTML and CSS

6.Downloads Links to sites where you can find learning resources to download an view on your computer or listen to audio on your mp3 player.

ABC Radio Programs – a list of informative and interesting programs to download. You can listen to your chosen programs when you want and where you want, and with a portable MP3 player, you don't even have to stay close to your computer to listen to audio files.
Audio books at the Ipswich Library – check out the audio books available for download from the Ipswich Library web site or from download kiosks at the Ipswich branch of the library. Topics include:-
- History
- Nature and Science
- Language Study
- Health and fitness
- Business and Careers
- Outdoor Recreation
- Pets
- Self Improvement
Videos at the Ipswich Library – view the video titles you can download from the library digital collection.

7. Government

Subject Guide - suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Register for an Australian Business Number – provide your details to obtain an ABN.
Register to vote – your vote is a a valuable thing. Read this guide to enrolling and voting in federal and state elections.
Seniors Card – If you are over 60 you are eligible for a Seniors Card.
Driving and public transport in Queensland - licensing, registration, public transport timetables, maps and road conditions.
Hazard Perception skills practise sites
- New South Wales
- Western Australia
eToll – cash toll booths are now closed. Check out your options.
Stay Smart Online - information and advice on how to secure your computer and your transactions online

8. Language learning tools

Livemocha - an online language-learning social networking site which allows you to progress through learning materials, practice speaking and writing with native speakers or others learning the language, and then give back by helping out other users trying to learn your own native language.
iTalk - a social network and an online resource for learning over 100 foreign languages including Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Hindi, French, Russian, Arabic and Italian.
My Happy Planet - a home for people learning languages. It lets you:-
- Send and receive messages with native speakers
- Learn about cultures and languages
- Watch videos uploaded by members in multiple languages

9. Law and Legal Issues

Subject Guide - suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.

10 Lifestyle

Brain Boosters - a Subject Guide from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Cooking and food
- BBC cooking videos - get cooking with video demonstrations by top chefs of a hundred great recipes. Five Star Rating.
- McCormick – search by occasion or difficulty level.
- YumYum – 20,000 easy to follow recipes for your enjoyment.
Employment and Careers - a Subject Guide from the Ipswich linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Craft (including Scrapooking) - a Subject Guide from the Ipswich linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Do it Yourself
- Subject Guide - from the Ipswich linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the world wide web.
- Lowe’s How-To Library – a huge collection of text based home improvement how-tos. Topics include kitchens, flooring, doors, windows and storage options.
Drugs and Alcohol - a Subject Guide from the Ipswich linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the world wide web.
Entertainment and Leisure – a Subject Guide from the Internet Public Library. Subjects include craft, gardening, games and cooking
Gardening -
- Subject Guide - suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
- Gardening Australia – watch videos from the ABC TV show.
Health and lifestyle - a Subject Guide from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Movies - a Subject Guide from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
Music
- Learn the guitar or drums - videos for all levels from beginners to advanced.
- Piano lessons – Each piano lesson is accompanied by visual flash animations that allow learners to view and hear songs as well as play along with the animations on their own piano keyboard.
Parenting - a Subject Guide from the Ipswich linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the world wide web.
Pets
- Subject Guide – suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the world wide web
- Subject Guide from the Internet Public Library about obtaining and caring for animal companions.
Travel
Subject Guide – suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to travel information on the world wide web.
How to clean stuff – a guide to cleaning almost everything including the ten dirtiest things in your home.
Genealogy
- Subject Guide – suggestions from the Ipswich Library linking you to both printed reference works available in the library and on the World Wide Web.
- Ipswich Genealogical Society – news, projects and publications from Queensland’s first Genealogical Society
- State Library of Queensland - information about accessing the resources of the State Library of Queensland's Family History servicesand links that willhelp you with your genealogical research.
- Queensland State Archives - handy guides are a quick way to identify frequently used records. All titles are available for browsing online and in the Public Search Room at Queensland.
- Family Tree research - a self-paced, text tutorial designed for beginning genealogists with basic computer and Internet skills. Has American information.
- Ipswich General Cemetery – list of names with some dates.
Meditate – learn to meditate - mostly text with some video

11. Learn more about the computer facilities available at the Ipswich Library

Internet computers - links to information available from the library web site.
Help files - this link is only available when you are using the internet computers. Learn about:-
- Programs available
- File Storage options
- Moving files to a USB flash Drive
- Burning data to a CD
- Scanning documents, photos or 35 mm slides

Qld Government