Research the D117 way

Throughout the year, you will be talking to your students about various aspects of the research process: choosing a topic, identifying and locating sources, conducting effective search strategies, evaluating sources, and using information responsibly.

​In District 117, our students are fortunate to have access to Chromebooks and databases at each school. We want them to know about those resources and we want to instruct them on how to use them to solve information problems. Kellie and I wanted to remind you of two services that are available as you plan your research projects.

#1 - Information Literacy LibGuide

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Together with lead teachers of freshman core classes—English I, Global Studies, Physics, and Health—we developed an information literacy curriculum. The beauty of this work is that it is usable for all grade levels and content areas.
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Here’s a glimpse of what was accomplished:

• We used the Big6 as the framework of our curriculum and created an Information Literacy LibGuide that breaks down the six steps of the research process for students. The guide also provides resources, such as video tutorials and links to sites where they can use images, videos, and music without violating copyright law. Students and teachers can use all of the guide or parts of it. Teachers will appreciate how the guide suggests CRISS strategies that might be employed when instructing students in each step.
• We created generic handouts for the steps, each of which guides students through one of the steps in the research process.

​​Now...let’s talk implementation. We know there is a ton of information in this guide and not every resource is needed for a particular assignment. Enter the use of a LibGuide.

#2 - LibGuides ​

LibGuides is a neat little program that we use to customize a research project according to a teacher’s particular need that both students and teachers will like.

Students will like LibGuides because the link, posted on our website (or yours), allows them access to their project resources anytime, anywhere.

​Teachers will like LibGuides because of its versatility. You decide how to organize your content. For example, when creating the Macbeth LibGuide, the Antioch English IV teachers developed tabs (complete with database links) specifically tailored to their four informative essay prompts. Or, check out the Science Cancer Project. They opted to compile the resources students would need for the project.

The Lakes Social Studies teachers took a different approach when creating their Civic Action Project LibGuide. They provided Google links along with tabs for making a Weebly website and public service announcement. Another idea is Kellie’s Banned and Challenged Book guide. Here, students read a book that has been banned or challenged and complete a project—character interview, dialogue journal, group book club, storyboard with captions, soundtrack—demonstrating the knowledge of the book.  

​As you can see, we can create guides on virtually any topic, subject, course, or process. For more ideas, check out our LibGuide home page. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Then, when you’re ready to create your LibGuide or just want help with a research assignment, please contact me (barbara.mason@chsd117.org) or Kellie (kellie.doyle@chsd117.org).