Beyond Google:
Improving Students’ Research and
Information Gathering Techniques
Breanna Weston - Librarian
Library and Media Services
Why is Information Literacy Important?
Institutional Aspiration for Learning –WOU
Required for accreditation by NWCCU
General skill
Data Smog
Better work
What is Information Literacy
“Information literacy is a set of abilities
requiring individuals to ‘recognize when
information is needed and have the ability
to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the
needed information.’”
(IL Comp Standard for Higher Ed-ACRL)
Information R/evolution – Michael Wesch
Information Literacy Standards
or Creating Life Long Learners…
Know
Access
Evaluate
Use
Ethics
ACRL – IL Comp Standards for Higher Ed
http://www.platowa.com/images/Not_yet.jpg
Know
Thesis Statement
Planning
Publication Process
Explaining
Articulates
Identifies
Plan
Reevaluates
Initial thesis statement
development.
News article vs. original
research
Create a timeline of
research including
possible sources.
Access
Information
Retreival Systems
Search Strategies
Finding Resource
Select
Search
Retrieves
Refines
Manage
Comparison of search
engines. (Google,
Academic Search
Premier, PsychINFO)
Require variety of
sources.
Track searches.
Evaluate
Summarizes
Impact
Applies
Validation
Synthesize
Revision
Integrates
Main Points
Compare sources
Evaluate
Annotated
bibliographies
Construct new
concepts
Discussion
Create a forum/blog
posts – require
postings.
Use
Applies
Revises
Communicates
Producing product
Product – paper, video,
podcast, wiki
Revising
Presentation of product
Sharing
Allow revisions
Ethics
Understands
Follows
Acknowledges
Plagiarism/Works Cited
Paraphrasing lessons
Copyright
Practice good ethics
Privacy/Security
Works cited
Netiquette
More integrated
approach.
Censorship/
Freedom of Speech
KNOW

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Articulates
ACCESS
Identifies
Plan
 Select
Reevaluates  Search
 Retrieves EVALUATE
 Refines
 Summarizes
 Manage  Applies
 Synthesize
 Integrates
 Impact
USE
 Validation
 Revision  Applies
ETHICS
 Revises
 Communicates  Understands
 Follows
 Acknowledges
Designing IL Assignments
Changing resources
Use reserves
Collaborate
Assume limited knowledge
Try assignments
WOU, Hardesty
Designing IL Assignments II
In context
Post assignments
Clarify sources
Incorporate technology
Break down assignments
WOU, Hardesty
Assignment Part 1
Write a two page summary on some
topical issue from The Oregonian.
Summarize the facts and then the debate.
Cite using MLA format.
Student
Where do I get the Oregonian? Grocery store?
Pick topic of interest in edition picked up.
Main Points
What is MLA format?
Dr. Eddy – WR135, F07
Educator (Professor/Librarian)
Oregonian Database
Have? Where?
Search strategies – limit by date
Accessing article – print/online
Paraphrasing – Main points
MLA/NoodleBib
Assignment Part 2
Adding to the first part, use at least two
different sources to explain the two sides
of the debate. (2-3 pages, attach
previous)
Student
sources = internet/google
Dr. Eddy – WR135, F07
Educator (Professor/Librarian)
Kind of sources – books, articles
Find the sources –
Catalog/call numbers
ability to use database
Only local info enough? Summit?
Evaluation of sources
Assignment Part 3
Adding to part 2, persuasively argue at
least one side of the debate. (3 sources,
3-4 pages, attach previous)
Student
One more source - internet
Argument - instinct
Dr. Eddy – WR135, F07
Educator (Professor/Librarian)
Thesis statement
Another source
Use previous methods/ may already have extra
Logical argument
Organization
The Classic Paper
Write a 10-12 page paper on a topic in
XYZ subject using scholarly articles with
APA citations.
How can we purposefully incorporate IL?
Groups of 2-3 and brainstorm ideas for 5-10
minutes.
Brainstorms
Sources
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ACRL - IL Competency Standard for Higher Ed
Institutional Aspirations for Learning
NWCCU
Information R/evolution – Michael Wesch
WOU Library Instruction Tips for better library/research assignments
The Role of the Library in the First College Year –
Chapeter 8 Strategies for Designing Assignments to
Support Information Literacy Initiatives Larry l. Hardesty
 Dr. Eddy – WR135, Fall 2007 Current Event Assignment
Accessing This Presentation
• Slideshare
• www.wou.edu/~westonb