Embedding Technology in the Big6 Information Literacy Process
Task
1.1 Define the
information problem –
create problem and
provide context
1.2 Identify information
needed (to solve the
information problem)
2.1 Determine all
possible sources
(brainstorm)
2.2 Select the best
sources
3.1 Locate sources
(intellectually and
physically)
Strategy
Low Tech
Big6 Step 1: Task Definition
Use prior knowledge to
Newspapers,
identify a problem that is magazines, students’
relevant to student’s
observations and
experiences
experiences
KWL, concept maps,
Photocopies of concept
graphic organizers
maps, pencil and paper
Big6 Step 2: Information Seeking Strategies
Consult a Library Media Visit the library, phone
Teacher
call, collaboration
request
Internet, blogs, videos,
multi-media
Word processing (tables
and charts), Inspiration,
SMARTBoard
Email, online
collaboration request
Class or cross-class
discussions
Clustering on
whiteboard
Blogs and wikis
Consult friends/family
Conversations
Email, text message,
social networking
Compare & contrast
Venn diagrams
Collect sources
Book carts
Books
Big6 Step 3: Location and Access
Browse the library
Encyclopedia
Print encyclopedia
Periodicals
Magazines and
newspapers
Photo archives
Pictures
3.2 Find information
within sources
New(er) Tech
Video
Primary sources
VHS, DVD
Interviews, prepackaged materials
Experiments
Simulations
Keywords
Hands-on experiments
Classroom simulations
Word web, thesaurus
Search strategies
Table of contents,
index, the blind Google
search
Pathfinders, eLibrary
BookCarts
Horizon Information
Portal (Automated
library catalog)
Subscription databases
vs. Wikipedia
Subscription databases
vs. Internet
Search engines,
specialized collections,
subscription databases
Streaming
Blogs, podcasts, webconferencing, Historical
Newspapers database
Remote sensing
Web-based simulations
Google define:, Yahoo!
directory, subject
headings
Boolean searches,
advanced search
options, Ctrl-F
Embedding Technology in the Big6 Information Literacy Process
Task
4.1 Engage (e.g. read,
hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant
information
5.1 Organize from
multiple sources
Strategy
Low Tech
Big6 Step 4: Use of Information source
Tracking and discussing Research journal, group
research
meetings, email
Note-taking,
paraphrasing
Citing sources
Pencil and paper, note
cards, Cornell notes
MLA handbook,
librarian/teacher
generated samples
Big6 Step 5: Synthesis
Concept maps, graphic
Photocopies of concept
organizers
maps, pencil and paper
Outlining
Note cards, word
processing
Timelines
Pencil and paper
Spreadsheet/Database
T-charts
Collaboration
Group meetings, email
5.2 Present the
information
Written report
Diorama
Poster
PowerPoint
New(er) Tech
Student information
spaces, blogs, wikis,
GoogleDocs
Cut and paste?
CitationMachine.net,
BibMe.org
Excel
Blogs, wikis,
GoogleDocs
Digital storytelling
Web pages
Adobe Creative Suite
SMARTBoard
Videos
Podcasts
Portfolios
Big6 Step 6: Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product
(effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process
(efficiency)
Rubrics
Learning log
Reflective journal
Word processing
Blog
The "Big6™" is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information,
visit: www.big6.com