Library & Information Science, Course 250: Instructional Strategies.
Dr. David Loertscher
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I. Appreciation and Enjoyment

Individuals will appreciate and enjoy information that appears in different formats (print and electronic): books, periodicals, video, optical disc technology, audio, television, etc.

Skills include:

• listening
• viewing
• reading
• speaking
• writing
• discussing
• verbalizing
• appreciating
• enjoying
• selecting for different purposes
• identifying different elements of a genre

II. Presearch

• Questions
• Desire to learn more for pleasure or defined purpose

Searches will develop a broad overview of their topic in this exploratory period. They will begin to develop a basic understanding of words and related concepts that expand the topic.

Skills include:

• following procedures for using information technologies and facilities
• browsing for initial information
• getting help when needed
• identifying the purpose of the research
• formulating appropriate research questions
• summarizing main ideas regarding research questions
• brainstorming ideas and information about central questions
• identifying key words and names
• exploring general sources of information
• relating information to prior knowledge
• determining information needed
• relating broad concepts through outlining, webbing, clustering, restating, etc.

III. Search

• Narrow topic
• Develop specific questions, thesis
• Plan a search strategy

Searchers will identify the location and function of information resource facilities: Home computer resource, classroom information and technology resources, library media centers, public libraries, museums, academic libraries, special libraries, community resources, etc.

Searchers will plan a search strategy using various resource, formats and tools to find information related to their topic. They will be open to cooperative searching and interaction with experts.

Skills include:

• developing resource location skills
• identifying location information
• asking questions to clarify meaning
• matching resources to types of research questions
• identifying and using information for rewording bibliographic citations
• distinguishing among information sources
• using information sources appropriately
• taking notes (handwritten and/or electronic)
• interviewing
• designing search strategies, including

   

  • Browse Search (casually inspecting information sources) Hypertext Search (moving electronically from a work/phrase to related information)
  • Hierarchical Search (examining a body of knowledge beginning with broad topics)
  • Analytical Search (using Boolean [and, or, not], Truncation, wild card, proximity)

   

• understanding the concept of nonlinear, electronic organization of information
• filtering (distinguishing between various genres and formats, fact or fiction, point of view, propaganda, bias, skimming and scanning, accuracy, currency, primary and secondary sources, relevancy, establishing integrity of information, etc.)
• using resources and information technologies successfully
• developing themes

IV. Interpretation

• Assess usefulness of information
• Reflect to develop personal meaning

Searchers will evaluate, analyze and interpret information to determine its relevance and usefulness to their search.

Skills include:

• summarizing the main idea
• paraphrasing
• inferring
• drawing conclusions
• compiling bibliographies/endnotes
• evaluating information to support to refute a thesis
• comparing and contrasting
• analyzing
• determining credibility
• classifying
• understanding cause and effect
• connecting concepts
• synthesizing
• determining patterns, trends, similarities and differences
• understanding copyright law

V. Communication

• Apply information
• Construct new knowledge

Searchers will organize and format information to construct new knowledge. They will communicate and share the new knowledge through appropriate formats.

Skills include:

• determining effective methods of communication
• organizing information
• creating
• speaking
• writing
• demonstrating
• designing
• composing
• presenting

Formats include:

research paper, report writing a book book report journal timeline table TV documentary travelogue panel discussion model crossword puzzle Venn diagram slide show puppet show creative writing

audio video poster skit, play chart presentation software animation book jacket letter writing exhibit demonstration speech diorama music art work

graph word find portfolio puzzle display experiment interview debate transparency mural map computer program graphic newspaper

VI. Evaluation

• Searcher evolution of end product
• Searcher evaluation of process
• Searcher adjustment of strategies for future searches

Searchers will recognize and define the steps taken in conducting a search and they will evaluate the outcome as well as the process. Searchers will adjust their search strategies as necessary.

Skills include:

• evaluating and redefining the question
• evaluating search strategies
• assessing/reassessing personal information seeking process
• evaluating end product (by search and peers)
• checking for effective communication of new knowledge

using appropriate tracking tools (i.e., logs, journals) to assess and modify search strategies

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