A brief quiz about 21st century information literacy, Emma Willard style.

1. Test your research IQ
What is meant by ‘Information Literacy’?
A set of standards and abilities for both recognizing when
information is needed and having the skills to find, evaluate,
and apply that information.
What is a scholarly source?
Written by an expert in the field, or included in a journal
where experts review/edit. AKA “Peer Reviewed”

2. What kind of information do most databases include?
• Popular & scholarly journals
• Maps, Photographs
• Newspapers
• Speeches, government documents
• Audio & Videos
• Critical Essays
T/F: The school has a free Noodletools account.
TRUE

3. What are some examples of PRIMARY sources?
• ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: Diaries, speeches,
manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage,
autobiographies, official records
• CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music,
art
• RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing,
buildings.

4. • Before starting their research, students should
________________________________ to get a
better general understanding of their topic.
• PRE-search
• READ critically and carefully. Literature review.
• Get general understanding of all at issue.
• Gather KEYWORDS.

5. Evaluating websites-C.R.A.P.
• Currency
• How recent is the information?
• How recently has the website been updated?
• Is it current enough for your topic?
• Reliability
• What kind of information is included in the
resource?
• Is content of the resource primarily opinion? Is is
balanced?
• Does the creator provide references or sources
for data or quotations?

6. More C.R.A.P.
• Authority
• Who is the creator or author?
• What are the credentials? Are they reputable?
• Are there advertisements on the website?
• Purpose/Point of View
• Is this fact or opinion?
• Is the creator/author trying to sell you
something?
• Is it biased?

7. Can we find good info online?
• Is there a correct way to use Wikipedia?
• Do you know about Google’s Advanced search
features?
• Do you know about Sweet Search?

8. • Do all of our new students come to us equally
prepared?
• No way, Jose’.
• Need to integrate information literacy
instruction in a meaningful way beginning 9th,
10th, polishing 11th and 12th.

9. The Big6™ Skills
The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages
solve an information problem.
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed (to solve the information problem)
o What is my current task?
o What are some topics or questions I need to answer?
o What information will I need?
2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine all possible sources (brainstorm)
2.2 Select the best sources
o What are all the possible sources to check?
o What are the best sources of information for this task?
3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
3.2 Find information within sources
o Where can I find these sources?
o Where can I find the information in the source?
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant information
o What information do I expect to find in this source?
o What information from the source is useful?
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information
o How will I organize my information?
o How should I present my information?
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
o Did I do what was required?
o Did I complete each of the Big6 Stages efficiently?
The "Big6™" is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com
Handout created by: Barbara J. Shoemaker, School Media Specialist, Mill Road Elementary, K-2
Red Hook Central School District, Red Hook, NY

10. A few Success stories
• Katie Landers & the Gender Benders Google
Lesson
• Kathy and datacenter research
• History introduction to research process,
touring physical library.
• English III Rhetoric/Persuasive Speech
• Frances Intellectual Property

11. Ideas for next year-
Have librarian will travel.
• Libguides created over summer
• Screencast demos
• Be on hand when working in class.
• Google like a librarian, demo databases, Noodletools,
etc.
• Book talk before a break.
• Performance/Display Space to inspire community
• What are your ideas?