Internet Research

The Internet is a wonderful tool but don't forget about your classroom books and your media center. The Internet is one resource, not the only resource.

INTERNET RESEARCH: INSPIRED INVESTIGATIONS
http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/teacher_resources/searchingtheweb/internet_research.html

The Old Versus the New
Old Research Ritual – The Report

• Topical research projects require little more than the gathering of basic facts.
• Lower level thinking skills.
• Accumulation of detail already compiled in a good biography or article.
  • Example: Choose a famous explorer from history. Basic biographical data.

New Inspired Investigations – building a case or proving a point

• Develop essential and subsidiary questions, focusing on pertinent information.
• Only collect information that is pertinent and illuminating—searching becomes more focused.
  • Example Essential Question: Which explorer would be worthy to follow?
  • Example Subsidiary Questions: What are the traits of a good explorer?

Information Literacy

• Access information effectively.
• Evaluate information critically and competently.
• Use information effectively and creatively.

Mind Maps with Graphic Organizing Software—Inspiration!

• Facilitate flexible thinking.
• Easy to move and manipulate ideas and insights.
• Can take notes in a non-linear format which helps avoid plagiarism

Getting Organized

• The Big6: Information Literacy for the Information Age
  ... http://big6.com/index.php
• Super3 Information Page
  .....http://academic.wsc.edu/redl/classes/tami/super3.html
• Big6 Assignment Organizer
  .....http://www.standrews.austin.tx.us/library/ElementaryOrganizer.htm
• Rubrics
  .....T4 Rubric Page http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/teacher_resources/Rubrics/Rubrics.html
  ....BBig 6 http://big6.com/showarticle.php?id=39
  .....Rubistar http://rubistar.4teachers.org
  .....UEN Rubric Page http://www.uen.org/Rubric/browse.cgi
  

Using and Abusing the Web

• How to copy images and text
• Copyright – giving credit where credit is due
  • To Copy or Not to Copy
  • Copyright in an External Environment
  • Citation Maker: Elementary
    An easy-to-use citation maker for younger students based on MLA Standards. Includes a citation worksheet that can be printed.
  • Citation Maker: Secondary
    An easy-to-use citation maker for middle and high-school students based on the MLA Standards. Includes information on plagiarism, parenthetical citations, and more.
• Web Site Evaluation Checklist
  • Authority: Who owns the Web site and why?
  • Content: Is the information accurate and reliable?
  • Design and Navigation: Does the Web site function efficiently?
  • Curriculum Connections: Does the site enhance or support the curriculum?
  • Learning Environments: Does the site incorporate the unique capabilities of the Web?

Subject Directories and How to Use Them

• Guide to Using Subject Directories
  ...http://www.yahooligans.com/tg/search.html
• Librarians’ Index to the Internet
  ...http://lii.org/
• INFOMINE
  ...http://infomine.ucr.edu/
• Academic Info
  ...http://www.academicinfo.net/
• KidsClick!
  ...http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/
• Surfing the Net with Kid
  ...http://www.surfnetkids.com/
• Multnomah County Library’s Homework Center
  ...http://www.multcolib.org/homework/
• Awesome Library for Kids
  ...http://www.awesomelibrary.org/student.html
• The WWW Virtual Library
  ...http://vlib.org/Overview.html
• Yahooligans
  ...http://www.yahooligans.com

Tips for Searching the Web

• Using the Internet to Teach Internet Research
  http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/grade_level/research.html
• Internet in K-6 Classrooms
  http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/professional_development/K-6_Internet/day_1_agenda.htm
• T4: Searching the Internet: Tips and Tricks
  ..http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/professional_development/SearchingtheInternet/InternetSearch.html
• lTheSpider’sApprentice: How to Use Web Search Engines
  ..http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kboyce/sdms/otherlinks/spidap.htm
• Sink or Swim: Internet Search Tools and Techniques
  ...http://www.ouc.bc.ca/libr/connect96/search.htm
• Google
  ...http://www.google.com

More Places to Go

• Ask Jeeves
  ...http://www.ajkids.com/
• T4 Grade Level Resources
  ..http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/grade_level/index.html
• Pioneer Library
  ..http://pioneer-library.org