Digital Learning CommonsDigital Learning Commons

infoSkills Training Outline

Total Time: 30–45 minutes

Quick Intro (5 minutes)

DLC Site

  • Point out the Search box (appears on every page) and the About section.
  • Explain differences between Students, Educators, and Parents sections.
  • Point out the Bookmarks tab and provide a brief overview.

infoSkills

These information-literacy-skills tools are designed to help students conduct research and take papers or projects from start to finish. Students will find tips for organizing their thoughts, finding resources, formatting research papers, and more.

researchTutor (5–10 minutes)

researchTutor is a DLC-made tool that's extra helpful when it comes to writing research papers. It includes tips on the following topics:

  • Avoiding plagiarism
  • Paraphrasing
  • Summarizing
  • Quoting
  • Citing sources
  • Note taking
  • Evaluating sources
  • Creating a bibliography

researchTutor is easy for students to navigate, due to imbedded links. Be sure that students explore the Helpful Resources links too:

  • Helpful Resources link directly to tools in resources like netTrekker and SIRS that help students do research and write papers.

Big6 (5–10 minutes)

Big6 takes students through six information problem-solving steps: (1) task definition, (2) information seeking strategies, (3) location and access, (4) use of information, (5) synthesis, and (6) evaluation.

  • Spotlight features stories about how Big6 has helped students complete their projects and take their work to the next level.
  • Know How features Big6 tools and tips to help support students using this tool.
  • For Teachers and Parents includes information and tools for using Big6.

Citation Maker (5–10 minutes)

Citation Maker makes it easy for students to create a bibliography for research projects and papers.

  • How to Use Citation Maker in the Help file outlines the steps for using this tool.

How to Do Research (5 minutes)

How to Do Research is an online board game, organized by six sections: (1) Plan, (2) Search for Information, (3) Take Notes, (4) Use the Information, (5) Report, and (6) Evaluate. This can be very useful for teaching students a variety of ways to do research.

  • Glossary is a collection of terms that are related to research and the researching process.
  • Teachers Tool Box includes some great tools to help teachers use this resource in the classroom.

Online Library Learning Center (5 minutes)

Online Library Learning Center leads students through a mini course in online research. There are ten units total, including Welcome to the Information Age, Tips for Using the Internet, and Evaluating Sources. Unit 2 is especially useful for learning how to do research for a paper. Unit 8 covers important issues such as copyright and plagiarism.

  • Glossary is a collection of terms associated with information literacy and this specific resource.
  • Site Map can be used to navigate the site and find specific units or topics of interest.

Assessments (2–5 minutes)

Return to the Digital Learning Commons website. Click on the Training Evaluation link, which appears at bottom of every page on the site.