#2: INFORMATION SEEKING STRATEGIES
ASK A QUESTION:
EQ: How can we use technology and information literacy for developing Information Seeking skills?
OR HANGOUT WITH US USING GOOGLE HANGOUTS:
Sara Lefever
Once the information problem has been formulated, the student must consider all possible sources and develop a plan for searching.
Students will be able to:
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Determine the range of available information resources.
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Select the best sources.
Students brainstorm all possible sources for data gathering, including databases, physical resources, Internet and other electronic resources, then identify and apply specific criteria for evaluating these resources in relation to their information task.
Students will select the best electronic sources, then use organizing software such as Inspiration, Word or Excel to help them plan and organize information problem-solving tasks.
Part 1: Determine the range of possible sources
Ask: What sources can I use?
What are all the sources you could use to get the information you need, if you had unlimited time and money?
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Make a wish list. Let your imagination go free when you brainstorm.
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See the List of Possible Sources for ideas.
Part 2: Select the best sources
Ask: Which sources are the best for me to use?
What sources on my wish list are the best and most possible for me to use for this assignment?
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Check off the sources on your list that are possible for you to use, given your time and money.
Possible Sources List
Do you need quotations, maps, diary entries, political cartoons, song lyrics, diagrams, narratives, statistics?
Once you know the kinds of information you need, you can make a list of all the possible sources in which you think you can find that information.
These could include any of the following, or others:
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Books
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Magazine Articles
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Newspaper Articles
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Maps or Atlases
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Expert people - interview
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Site visits (to museums, etc.)
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Television Shows
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Radio Shows
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Sound Recordings
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Video Recordings
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Electronic Databases
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Websites
Now star the sources on your list that you will most likely be able to use, given the time and sources you have available. Give them a prioritized number order for which you will use first, which second... etc...
Once you do this, you are ready to start locating these sources.
Hint: Librarians are very useful at knowing which kinds of sources can be used to find certain types of information. Use their expertise. It will save you valuable time.
Ready for the next step? Click here for #3: Location & Access