Lesson Preparation:
Prior to this lesson, students will have been introduced to the online reference sources available to them; (POWER Library, Locally held databases, online catalogs etc.). Students will be able to perform a simple search using these resources. Students will have an assigned topic to work on. This can either be from a general list of questions (Try these sites: Rio Hondo Community College Library:
http://library.riohondo.edu/Research_Help/Research_Topics/index.htm, or this one from CSU at Long Beach http://www.csulb.edu/library/subj/Paper_Topics/hottopics/index.html for help with a list) or the lesson can be integrated with the beginning of a research paper and the topics can be ones the students will write about.
Materials required:
Computer Lab, interactive whiteboard, Internet, graphic organizers and PowerPoint (provided)
Specific Purpose(s) or Objectives:
As a result of this lesson, students will understand how to assess information needs. The student will learn how to narrow a broad topic and how to use ASK HERE PA. Collectively this class activity illustrates the importance of knowing how to narrow a topic and use Internet reference sources in an appropriate manner.
Lesson Sequence
Anticipatory set or hook: (10-15 minutes)
Using the interactive whiteboard and the graphic organizer (attached), model how a broad topic such as immigration can be narrowed through the use of “ reporters’ questions”: who, what, when where, why. Give two examples for each “w” and show them how to “mix and match selections” to get good questions and narrow the topic. Students should give at least three questions about the broad topic from the list that you provide or the broad topic they will be researching for a paper.
Hands on activity ( 10-15 minutes)
Give each student a blank handout to complete. This may be typed on the computer using the .pdf form which can be posted on a web site or network drive or filled in with a pen and pencil. Students should give at least three questions about the broad topic from the list that you provide or the broad topic they will be researching for a paper. Have each student print their results. Collect the questions.
Introduction to ASK Here PA (10 minutes)
Using the PowerPoint provided, go over the “etiquette” and how to find the service.
Talking points:
- Don’t ask the same question twice because it took too long for someone to answer you the first time.
- Tell the Ask Here Librarian if you have already “checked” out some sites. This is useful as they don’t spend time doing the same or similar search.
- Give an email address so that librarians can email articles or follow up to you. Ask Here librarians sometimes have access to subscription databases that aren’t available to you and persistent links don’t work. (Good opportunity to explain the difference between a session cookie and a persistent link)
- Be patient as research can take time
- Support for projects is there 24 X 7 by a trained researcher who knows how to judge authoritative sites
- True homework questions like solve for X or reading comprehension questions like “What wouldn’t Daniel Webster do that the Devil asked?” should be discouraged.
- Be polite, when the service gives you the answer you need, please indicate that. Don’t just cut the connection.
- Give the reference librarian an idea of how much information you need. If it is only a definition, this is different than asking for help on a 3-5 page paper or a debate topic.
Follow up activity:
From the list of questions submitted by each student, select one for the student to ask as a class ASK HERE PA. This is a homework assignment and must be done on a individual basis. Ask students to forward the chat transcript they receive to your email box. When you have received the transcripts, go over them a a class as ask what worked and what didn’t.
Alternative follow up:
Make an appointment with ASK Here PA. This is the link. Divide your students into pairs and have them pose one of the questions and collect the transcript via email. (15-20 minutes of class time)
Materials included with this lesson plan
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