The document describes the Big6 skills, a 6 step approach to teaching information literacy skills: 1) Task Definition, 2) Information Seeking Strategies, 3) Location and Access, 4) Use of Information, 5) Synthesis, and 6) Evaluation. It provides an example of a family using the Big6 skills to research what kind of dog to adopt, gathering information from various sources to evaluate their options and decide on the perfect breed.

1. The Big6 Skills
A Problem-Solving Approach
to
Information Skills Instruction
as developed by
Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz
The Big6(tm) is copyright (c) (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert
E. Berkowitz. www.big6.com

2. Scenario
The Pokorny family wants to get a
new dog. They’re going to use the
Big6 research skills to help them
decide what kind of dog to get.

3. 1. Task Definition
Define the information problem
(choose a topic).
Identify the information needed
to solve the problem.
“Find the perfect dog for our family”
-Identify Criteria: Easy to train? Size?
Short hair? Good with children? Cost?

4. 2. Information
Seeking Strategies
Brainstorm all possible sources.
Select the best sources.
“Where can we find information that
will help us make our choice?”
-Breed specific books? Encyclopedias?
Magazines? Friends with dogs? Internet?
Breeders?

5. 3. Location and
Access
Locate sources.
Find information within sources.
“Let’s start gathering quality information to
help us make our decision…”
Visit the library, call breeders/vets, look online

6. 4. Use of
Information
Evaluate the information
Take out needed information
Put facts in your own words
“Of the information we found, what is going to
help us make our decision?”
-Scan the information. Is it accurate? (from a
reliable source?) Take notes. Use Index.

7. 5. Synthesis
Organize information from all sources.
Create your product to share
information- (paper, poster, PowerPoint)
“Let’s put this all together, draw conclusions, and make an
educated decision.”
Put note/fact cards in logical order, categorize information,
create spreadsheet with dog characteristics by breed,
compare/contrast top choices to make best decision.

8. 6. Evaluation
Edit your product. Check for
mistakes.
Judge the product- could you have
done better? (Use rubric)
“Are we happy with our new pet?”
Did we accurately determine if the pet was a good
fit for our family? Did we find enough information?
Was the information we found accurate?

9. What kind of dog did the Pokorny
family choose?
Louise

10. To sum up...
Information literate people are
those who have learned how to
learn. They are prepared for life
long learning because they can
always find the information needed
for any task or decision at hand.