Information Problem-Solving Process

Searching the World Wide Web

Examples

Task

Definition

(Essential Question)

·         Start with Essential Question – How? Why? Which? What if?

·         Brainstorm - Collaborate

·         Define the task with more questions

·         K-W-L and Background Knowledge

·         What is the purpose?

Create a visual thinking web - Inspiration

Information

Seeking

Strategies

(Effective Research Strategies)

Which search engine will find the information I need? 

§         Metasearch – Dogpile & Kartoo

§         Directory in Google or Yahoo

§         Grolier or Newsbank (lower lexiles) subscription – check your local library and use your card online

§         INSPIRE – free subscription databases to Indiana

·         What are my best search terms? Nouns

·         Use the most common term(s) first.

·         Should I use “quotes” to find exact phrases? (also catches plagiarism)

·         Should I use an asterisk to broaden my search process? (don’t use plurals use *)

·         Use of Boolean terms

Check out Advanced Search or Search Help

§         Dogpile

§        Kartoo

§        Google 

§         Yahoo

§         Vivisimo

§         INSPIRE

§         Broad Search – technology education

§         Narrow Search – “teaching technology”

§         Expand Search -  webquest*

§         Most search engines automatically use Boolean terms:  and, or, not

§         Try “+” and “- ”   

Location

And

Access

(Find the info you need)

·         Do a search.  Look carefully at search results. Evaluate authenticity.

·         Click to see web sites.

·         Check Resource tab within sites

·         Skim web sites. Who published this info?

·         Copy and paste address – Don’t print everything!

·         Edit – Find – keyword in website

·         Not everything is on Internet – Consult Media Specialists, Librarians, Friends, Experts (but, you can email experts)

·         Understand domains - .gov, .edu, .org, .com, .net

§         Bookmark “Favorites” on your PC.

§         Copy and paste web address with a skim summary into Word or PowerPoint.

§          “~” often denotes a personal web page

Use

of

Information

(Note-taking)

·         Open bookmarked/favorite web sites.

·         Read each web site to find information. Use Edit – Find – Keyword.

·         Save important text to word processing program.

·         Include title of web site and web address for bibliography.

·         Save text document and/or pictures

·         Text: Keep a learning log in Word or PowerPoint or Excel of favorite sites with a more in depth summary, quotes, and web address.

·         Pictures: Right click "save image as". Save to hard drive or disk.

·         Remember to cite text and pictures

(PowerPoint slides make great note-taking cards. You can sort in the sort view. Click on link to see 3rd video on pg.)

Synthesis

(Finish the product)

·         Organize

·         What tool (software) do I use?

·         Present – Create the finished product

·         Storyboard

·         Word, PowerPoint, etc.

·         Noodle Tools for creating MLA & APA citations for final bibliography

      http://www.noodletools.com/

Evaluation

·         Which search engine worked best for me?  Why?

·         Did this process work for me?  Why or why not?

·         Did I get the information I wanted?

·         Keep reflective notes on what worked and what didn’t. Share these.

·         Use rubrics - http://rubistar.4teachers.org