digital researching (Sept 16, 2008)
Libraries, as we once knew them, will soon represent another era. Recently, a classmate of mine announced that she planned to teach her students how to conduct research via the dewy decimal system. She admitted the method may be antiquated, but she felt it was important. Interestingly, her comment was a response to the notion of new literacies, a concept explored in Adolescent Literacy: Turning promise into practice. Undoubtedly, the author in question would've disagreed with her.
This conversation highlights the general hesitancy among teachers to utilize the web as a primary research tool. Unfamiliar with the broad possibilities of web-based research, many teachers defend the old-school library technique that, admittedly, served them well in their own education. Growing up, I too used very little web-based research. However, as it becomes easier to navigate, gather valid information, and share that research, the web is establishing itself as a crucial research tool.
In regards to my own research, I prefer to use university-run search engines as opposed to google or yahoo. Often, university-run search engines allow immediate access to selected articles. These search engines also allow you to save searches or chosen articles in a personal filing space. Although, this ability is sometimes dependent on association with the respective university. I also like to use BBC and New York Times search engines and RSS feeds. I find these news sources valid and credible, in addition to containing accessible RSS links.
As Richard mentioned in his new book, pathfinders is a handy tool for teachers and students alike. Throughout college, several of my professors set up course pages that contained a variety of related websites, articles, and other resources that their students could turn to for research direction. Since the professor organized the information and determined the resources, students could assume that the information was valid, current, and reliable. I view pathfinders as a solid starting point for extended research.
In terms of search categories and keywords, I like to scan previous reading for references to key people, events, or even specific article titles. I prefer a narrower search as compared to a broad search in order to avoid reading unrelated articles. Often, I find the bibliography at the end of journal articles or books as a good place to uncover helpful keywords/categories.
In a classroom setting, I plan to take advantage of a projector connected to a teacher laptop/computer. I think students need to experience appropriate web research so that they can later mimic the activity. In my opinion, media center orientations in which every student can access and immediately mimic a research presentation are the most helpful. The concept of wikis and google docs/notes should also be touched on in these presentations. As research becomes web-based, so do note-taking, writing, and communication techniques.
This conversation highlights the general hesitancy among teachers to utilize the web as a primary research tool. Unfamiliar with the broad possibilities of web-based research, many teachers defend the old-school library technique that, admittedly, served them well in their own education. Growing up, I too used very little web-based research. However, as it becomes easier to navigate, gather valid information, and share that research, the web is establishing itself as a crucial research tool.
In regards to my own research, I prefer to use university-run search engines as opposed to google or yahoo. Often, university-run search engines allow immediate access to selected articles. These search engines also allow you to save searches or chosen articles in a personal filing space. Although, this ability is sometimes dependent on association with the respective university. I also like to use BBC and New York Times search engines and RSS feeds. I find these news sources valid and credible, in addition to containing accessible RSS links.
As Richard mentioned in his new book, pathfinders is a handy tool for teachers and students alike. Throughout college, several of my professors set up course pages that contained a variety of related websites, articles, and other resources that their students could turn to for research direction. Since the professor organized the information and determined the resources, students could assume that the information was valid, current, and reliable. I view pathfinders as a solid starting point for extended research.
In terms of search categories and keywords, I like to scan previous reading for references to key people, events, or even specific article titles. I prefer a narrower search as compared to a broad search in order to avoid reading unrelated articles. Often, I find the bibliography at the end of journal articles or books as a good place to uncover helpful keywords/categories.
In a classroom setting, I plan to take advantage of a projector connected to a teacher laptop/computer. I think students need to experience appropriate web research so that they can later mimic the activity. In my opinion, media center orientations in which every student can access and immediately mimic a research presentation are the most helpful. The concept of wikis and google docs/notes should also be touched on in these presentations. As research becomes web-based, so do note-taking, writing, and communication techniques.
I liked what you said about University based search engines, but I have to admit to having poor luck with a lot of them. For some reason, despite my best tweaking, I'm inundated with irrelevant material! I've had some luck with University subscribed search engines, but the ones that the schools run have lead me to mild rage.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm typing this up as my students take a MAP test and I can see from here a list of indexes that our media center uses. I was unaware of these before today because nobody could remember that I was, at one time, new to this school. I must look at these...
Modeling the search process for the class is a great idea! Not only does it give them a concrete example of what to do, but it also limits the "so, what are we doing now?" kinds of questions I get if I don't model something first.
I also like the news sites you mention because they have pretty good news related content. Even though they annoy me, I find it necessary to also hit up some of the right leaning publications to balance things out. As much as they aggravate me, I entertain their views and slants...just in case...