Information Problem-Solving

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a

habit.”Aristotle

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

From the Maine Learning Results

Common Core of LearningReasoning and Problem Solving

Knowledge is power. We must help students want to gain knowledge, show them how to get it, and encourage them to use it to reach a new understanding or to create a new product.

We must help students learn to reflect on their processes of learning, regardless of their field of study.

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Learning Is Problem-Solving

• Is finding and using information to solve problems important to our students?

• Can we teach a problem-solving methodology that will work for everyone?

• Shouldn’t we all be using the same language with our students to teach “Information Problem-Solving?”

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Problem: Making Ribs

1. Task Definition1.1 What do I want to know or do? 1.2 What information will I need?

• How to cook delicious ribs• Where to buy ribs? What type of ribs?

Is there a good recipe? What seasonings will I need?

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Problem: Making Ribs

2. Information Seeking Strategies2.1 Determine all possible sources2.2 Select the best sources

• Cookbooks, Internet, friends, myself, restaurants

• Read cookbooks and call Ralph

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Problem: Making Ribs

3. Location and Access3.1 Locate sources3.2 Find information within sources

• Look on the shelf with cookbooks; remember old information

• Use the cookbook index

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Problem: Making Ribs

4. Use of Information4.1 Engage - read, hear, view, touch4.2 Extract relevant information

• Read cookbooks and talk to Ralph; my memory

• Take notes from Ralph; highlight best recipes

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Problem: Making Ribs

5. Synthesis5.1 Organize info from multiple

sources5.2 Present the information - produce

• Decide which information from which source will be best

• Make the ribs!

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Problem: Making Ribs

6. Evaluation6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

• Eat and decide if I like the ribs • Decide what worked best and what

I would do differently next time

Big 6 skoelker Making Ribs

Shorthand:D PLUS E

Define the task/problem

Plan which sources to try

Locate the best sources and find information

Use the best sources to gather information

Synthesize the information by presenting it in some fashion

Evaluate the product and the process