Teaching how to choose a research topic in a bibliographic instruction class should emphasize the underlying methods and principles of library research while making research tools as unobtrusive as possible. This approach teaches the basics of scientific inquiry and provides a structure in which to teach library skills. (EM)

This book, created by three reference librarians, teaches the beginning researcher good research habits. It provides names of tools students should consult for a well-rounded, well-researched paper on a controversial issue in the news. Books, specialized databases, online resources, and agencies to contact are all included. Each…

Using this inquiry-based process allows the teacher and librarian to assign mystery topics to individual students so they can conduct independent research on high-interest subjects. The book provides the tools and strategies teachers and librarians need to help students think and rethink methods of gathering and organizing information to solve…

The Reference Department at the University of Colorado at Boulder provides a research consultation service to undergraduates enrolled in the mandatory introductory writing course. The Research Center is staffed by graduate students trained in providing reference assistance. Librarians in the Reference Department administered a patron satisfaction…

Arguing that the primary means of integrating the library with classroom instruction is the library assignment or research paper, this paper takes a practical look at what constitutes an effective library assignment. It begins by debunking various misconceptions about the library and students' library skills which tend to undermine library…

Discusses the development of inquiry skills as a legitimate goal for education and possible ways of using technology to support the inquiry process in classrooms. Three elements of inquiry are examined--how inquiry can be motivated, the centrality of questioning, and metacognitive aspects--and examples of classroom projects are given. (EM)

Illustrates how the "Big Six Skills" model of information problem solving (Task Definition, Information Seeking Strategies, Location and Access, Use of Information, Synthesis, and Evaluation) is a perfect match to the influx of technology in student research. Outlines two typical assignments that focus the Big Six perspective on the…

The three guides in the new Information Literacy Toolkit Series can help school library media specialists and teachers to promote and teach information literacy skills to young library users and to: collaborate in curriculum planning so that students will develop a cohesive skill set; teach the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that…

The intent of this document, designed and developed by North Carolina educators, system-level and school-based media coordinators to support the "K-12 Information Skills Standard Course of Study," is to provide successful strategies, activities, and ideas for media coordinators and classroom teachers as they teach the essential knowledge and…

This book contains multicultural "treasure hunts" designed for use by teachers and librarians working with grades five through eight to: develop students' awareness of cultures other than their own; promote student research that requires using books other than an encyclopedia; provide students with annotated reference lists that may be used for…

Although this guide was designed to support "Pennsylvania Online: A Curriculum Guide for School Library Media Centers" (1985), the State of Pennsylvania curriculum guide for online searching, many of its components are also suitable for use by school librarians when teaching the elements involved in searching for resources manually. Designed to…

Discusses overuse and abuse of the online search in academic libraries, citing cases where patrons are not well served by it. Suggestions include helping students define and refine research goals and use of print indexes and abstracts which display citations in context of related literature. (15 references) (EJS)

Students are responsible for their own knowledge construction in student-centered, constructivist-learning environments. To be successful, students need tools, or organizers, to help explore relationships, organize information, and think critically. This article discusses and provides examples of presearch, search, interpretation, communication,…

The materials included in this document supporting library instruction are divided into two chapters. The first chapter contains bibliographies of instructional materials, professional periodicals, general reference tools, and religious reference tools. Throughout the bibliographies, the approximate cost of the materials is indicated by dollar…

This directory presents a broad sampling of some of the best Internet resources for educators, school library media specialists, students, and parents. The 2000/2001 edition is the seventh in a series of annual publications. With 1,515 entries, this edition has 440 new and updated entries. The directory is divided into 11 chapters, each addressing…