Internet Resources

Information Skills Resources on the Internet

Big Six Information Problem-Solving

"Big Six" is a scheme developed by Michael Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz in the United States of America to "provide a systematic approach to information problem-solving that relies upon critical thinking skills". It is a process that "can be used by librarians, teachers and information specialists to help learners attain information literacy". This page provides an overview of "Big Six", plus instructional units and other information and resources. See also The Super3 -- an early childhood version of the process.

Wrapping Up Research

An Australian Web site that focuses on "teaching information skills for the middle years of schooling". There is an outline of the "information skills process", with links to a range of resources to support the various stages of the process.

Basic Steps to the Research Process

This site takes users step-by-step through the research process, with easily-located tip sheets for specific parts of the process. The tip sheets include: Selecting a research topic; Writing a ststement of purpose; Brainstorming research questions; Finding information within sources; Citing sources; Writing a conclusion. The site was developed by Holly Samuels, a school librarian; it is suitable for school levels from upper primary through to senior high school.

Information Literacy

This is a page of information skills and information literacy resources, including lesson plans and curriculum documents. It is provided by the Washington Library Media Association in Washington State (USA).

Information Power: The Nine Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning

This page is excerpted from Chapter 2, "Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning", of the 1998 document, Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, published by the American Library Association and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

Research Process Helper

Developed by Sandra Hughes (Canada), this site is designed for junior-intermediate school students, to help them to: understand the research process; do their research; evaluate what they are doing; and provide support for getting the job done. It is accessible to students at home as well as at school.

Research Buddy

The Squires Researchers' Pages, created by the school library media specialist of Squires Elementary School in Lexington, Kentucky, USA (Mrs Gibson), is a children's Web-based guide to doing a research project. It is based on the"Big 6" model but with extra help, suggestions, "research tips", and a glossary.

Information Searcher's Cybertours

This site is "an electronic extension of Internet for Active Learners: K-12 Curriculum Strategies by Pam Berger (ALA Editions, 1998)." It includes links to selected Web sites, information about search strategies, Web page evaluation suggestions, and information about integrating Web resources into the curriculum.

EdNA's Information Literacy Category

EdNA (the Education Network of Australia) has an Information Literacy category, with links to skills sequences such as the Big6, pathfinders, lesson plans, and other resources related to information skills and information literacy. While there are many Australian resources, the collection of links is international. The links are annotated.

Online Research Modules

The New South Wales (Australia) Country Areas Program Web site has a collection of Online Research Modules. The aim is "to provide an easy access to Internet research for students and teachers. [The modules] are designed so that students are encouraged to not merely gather information but to select, analyse, organise and use information to provide creative answers or solutions to set questions or situations... Each module is designed to fit into the New South Wales Curriculum". The modules are listed on the index page according to curriculum stages, from years 1 and 2 to years 11 and 12.

Headbone Derby

Headbone Derby is an Internet skills site for elementary school children and their teachers. It is bright, colourful, visually stimulating, and always full of new things to do. The "derby" is actually a series of contests, designed to teach Internet searching skills. Use of the site is free, and the children can win prizes for their school and for themselves. There are things to buy, including the usual t-shirts, but there are also giveaways too. There is a Teachers Guide section with information about "using the Derby series in your classroom", with examples, plus an "Internet Primer for Teachers" and other resources.

Module Maker

This section of the "From Now On" site guides teachers through the process of creating online research modules for their students. "The research module presented here is intended to challenge your students to make up their own minds while supplying them with rich information to support such thinking". The guidance includes advice on asking good questions, developing assignments, and setting up the online module.

Webmonkey for Kids

This site (from Hotwired) is designed to teach children the basics of Web design, home page development, and HTML. It provides project ideas, templates, and guidance for teachers and parents who are working with children on Web-based projects.

Measure of Student Success: Assessing Information Problem-Solving Skills

"Measure of Student Success: Assessing Information Problem-Solving Skills", an article by Jamieson McKenzie and the Library Media Staff of the Oak Harbor Schools in Washington State (USA) incorporates the Oak Harbor Information Skills Rating Scale.

Evaluation Rubrics for Web Sites

"Evaluation Rubrics for Web Sites" is "designed for primary, intermediate, or secondary students", to help them to evaluate the World Wide Web sites that they use for information gathering.

The Australian School Library Association

The Australian School Library Association (ASLA) Web site has two policy statements related to information skills generally: the Policy Statement on Information Literacy and the Policy Statement on Electronic Information Literacy.

Resources Related to the Dewey Decimal Classification

Other Resources Related to Information Skills

Last Updated 11 March 2005 (LAC)