An Approach to Solving Information Problems
1. TASK DEFINITION
- What needs to be done?
- Do I understand the assignment?
- Do I understand the question?
- What types of information will I need?
2. INFORMATION SEEKING
- Brainstorming
- What do I already know about this?
- What resources should I Use?
- Books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, almanacs, magazines, videos, CD-ROMs, the Internet, others . . .
3. LOCATION AND ACCESS
- Where can I find the information?
- Home, classroom, libraries, computers . . .
- Using the index, table of contents, card catalog . . .
- Formatting effective keyword searches
4. USE OF INFORMATION
- Skim, scan, and read for keywords and details
- Take notes and record where it comes from
- What information from each source should I use?
5. SYNTHESIS
- Organize all of the information so that it makes sense
- What is the best way to present what I have learned?
- Develop and check over my project
6. EVALUATION
- Is my work neat and complete? Does it include my name?
- Did I answer all the questions that were asked?
- Did I give credit to my sources?
- Did I do my best work?
Based on Eisenberg and Berkowitz's Big Six Skills problem solving approach.
| 