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Guiding Student Research with Pathfinders Presentation to NMLA Annual Conference 2013
Dianne Dragoo
Librarian-Teacher Albuquerque High School
How Teens Do Research in the Digital World
The amount of information available online today is overwhelming to most students. Today’s digital technologies discourage students from using a wide range of sources when conducting research.
Purcell, Kristen, et al. How Teens Do Research in the Digital World. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 1 Nov. 2012. http://pewinternet.org. Accessed 29 Mar. 2013. Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
Most high school students won’t admit it, but they are not effective researchers.
O'Sullivan, Michael K., and Thomas J. Scott. "Pathfinders Go Online." School Library Journal Aug. 2000: S40. General OneFile. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
Teachers report that students rely mainly on search engines to conduct research in lieu of other resources such as online databases, the news sites of respected news organizations, printed books, or reference librarians.
Purcell, Kristen, et al. How Teens Do Research in the Digital World. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 1 Nov. 2012. http://pewinternet.org. Accessed 29 Mar. 2013.
CC Photo Credit Will Lion http://www.flickr.com/photos/will-lion/2595497078/sizes/z/
“They can’t put anything on the internet that isn’t true.” Oh, really?
State Farm. “State of Disbelief.” YouTube. Web. 04 F eb. 2013.
Teachers and students alike report that for today’s students,
“research” means “Googling.”
As a result, some teachers report that “doing research” has shifted from a relatively slow process of intellectual curiosity and discovery to a fast-paced, short-term exercise aimed at locating just enough information to complete an assignment.
What keeps teachers up at night?
students’ overdependence on search engines
the difficulty many students have judging the quality of online information
increasing distractions pulling at students
students’ potentially diminished critical thinking capacity
the ease with which today’s students can borrow from the work of others
Purcell, Kristen, et al. How Teens Do Research in the Digital World. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 1 Nov. 2012. http://pewinternet.org. Accessed 29 Mar. 2013. Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
What can librarians do to help guide and direct students to quality information?
Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
…a launching pad for students.
A pathfinder is a starting point…
Kuntz, Kathy. "Pathfinders: Helping Students Find Paths to Information". Multimedia and Internet Schools. May June 2003. Available online: http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/may03/kuntz.shtml
A pathfinder offers students and staff a plan of action, a place to start…a trailhead for finding information. Kuntz, Kathy. "Pathfinders: Helping Students Find Paths to Information". Multimedia and Internet Schools. May June 2003. Available online: http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/may03/kuntz.shtml Photo Credit: Public domain. Photo by A. Crane http://library.byways.org/assets/75332
Pathfinders organize annotated lists of topical resources from a variety of formats and sources in one location. They arrange information resources in a search strategy order, in order to introduce a researcher to an unfamiliar topic and to facilitate access to [high quality] information.
Wilson, A. Paula. 100 Ready-to-use Pathfinders for the Web: A Guidebook and CD-ROM. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2005. Print. Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
Before the Internet,
pathfinders consisted of
books and other print sources.
CC Photo Credit Kevin Harber at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevharb/5466078785/.
Today, information sources are more diverse. Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
Pathfinders are now dynamic and organic.
- Buffy Hamilton, The Unquiet Librarian
Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
Benefits of pathfinders
Guide students to a variety of high-quality, academic resources
Model a search strategy for students Reduce frustration and save time Enable 24/7 access, anywhere Tool for collaboration with teachers Teachers, parents can help guide
exploration Promote library use Promote librarian’s role
Old Style The handout.
New Style Online
Platforms: web site, blog, wiki, LiveBinders, LibGuides
Collaboration with teachers Ask for copy of
lesson plan Schedule mini-
lesson/demo Create rubric that
is flexible but requires a certain number of resources from the pathfinder
Assemble resources Title Photo (with citation) Introduction Essential question Print resources Databases Vetted web sites Academic search engines Technology connection Citation help Student feedback
Photo Credit Microsoft Design Gallery
Title, Photo, Essential Question
Title, Photo, Intro
Search Terms, Books
Books with Call Numbers
Databases
Web Sites
Kwout – Embed Screenshots
Search Engines
Connect to technology
Finding and using images
Citation Help
Feedback - Engage Learners
Student Survey
Other possible resources eBooks Apps Videos Audio Tutorials Social media Don’t overwhelm
students Less can be more
24/7 remote access
Other uses for pathfinders Current events/news
sources Subject-specific, e.g.
biography resources Clubs, e.g. Model UN Presidential election College info Job hunting Teacher resources, e.g.
PLC reading list
How do we know? Web site statistics Teacher comments Student surveys/assessments Gale and other database reports
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
2011-12 2012-13
Gale Database Usage
45% increase through March 31, 2013
Comments from student surveys
“The presentation on databases vs. web sites was very helpful and made my research a lot easier.”
The Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center “had good information on both viewpoints.”
“The web sites on the pathfinder were very helpful. They gave me a lot of good information on my topic.”
Questions?
Thank you!
Resources Kuntz, Kathy. "Pathfinders: Helping Students Find Paths to
Information". Multimedia and Internet Schools. May June 2003. http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/may03/kuntz.shtml
O'Sullivan, Michael K., and Thomas J. Scott. "Pathfinders Go Online." School Library Journal Aug. 2000: S40. General OneFile. Web. 10 Apr. 2013.
"Pathfinders: Pathfinders Creation and Collections." Electronic Materials for Children and Young Adults.
http://eduscapes.com/earth/informational/path4.html
Purcell, Kristen, et al. How Teens Do Research in the Digital World. Pew Internet & American Life Project,1 Nov. 2012. http://pewinternet.org. Accessed 29 Mar. 2013.
Wilson, A. Paula. 100 Ready-to-Use Pathfinders for the Web: A Guidebook and CD-ROM. Neal-Schuman. 2004.
Contact information Dianne Dragoo Librarian-Teacher Albuquerque High School 800 Odelia Rd NE Albuquerque, NM 87102 [email protected] www.bulldogsbookblog.wordpress.com www.ahslib.com (coming soon!)
