Research Project Worksheet*
Name: ____________________________________________
Grade:____________________________________________
Subject Area:______________________________________
Project Description:_________________________________
Information Literacy Assignment Checklist:
Does your assignment include at least 4 types of thinking from Blooms Taxonomy?
- Knowledge: Who, what, where, when… questions
- Comprehension: what, why… questions
- Application: Modify, solve, change, explain … questions
- Analysis: Predict, compare, contrast, why, analyze, what do you think … questions
- Synthesis: Create, construct, plan, role-play… questions
- Evaluation: what is your opinion about, criticize, summarize… questions
If your assignment does not challenge students to move beyond identifying existing information, what changes can you make to your assignment?
By designing challenging assignments we have already begun to address the first step of the Big 6 Information Problem Solving Model:
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the problem
1.2 Identify the information needed
___Have you created an assignment where students will gather facts and, or, opinions that they will then have to utilize to create a new information product that goes beyond mere recitation of basic facts about any particular subject?
__ Has the problem been clearly defined and keywords identified so students can be successful in extracting the information they need?
___Have you devised a thesis statement which encompasses the entire project?
___Have you devised specific research questions from which students can extract key words or "treasure words?"
Does your assignment need to be modified at this point? If so, how?
2. 2. Information Seeking Strategies
3. 2.1 Determine all possible sources
2.2 Select the best source
__Have you consulted with the library media specialist to consider if there are Internet sites, and/or specialized print sources that could assist your students?
__Did you consult with the library media specialist to determine if the information exists that you want students to find?
__ Do you require when possible, that students use a variety of print and nonprint resources (online databases, Internet, and CDROM)?
Does your assignment need to be modified at this point? If so, how?
3. Location & Access
3.1 Locate sources
3.2 Find Information within sources
__ Do your students know how to use the OPAC (online public access catalog) to find library resources?
__ Did you consult with the library media specialist on search skills your students need to learn to locate information in Internet sites and print sources? Trash and Treasure Technique.
__Are your students able to utilize the Library Media Center Web page as an information resource? Please speak to Holly about putting helpful sites on the page so students can access them from home.
Does your assignment need to be modified at this point? If so, how?
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g. read, hear, view)
4.2 Extract information
__Are you addressing multiple intelligences when presenting information so students are able to utilize their strengths when extracting relevant facts and opinions?
__ Are you using graphic organizers/note sheets that require students to cite their sources?
__ Are you asking students to evaluate the sources of information they use?
__ Are you identifying and adding additional keywords throughout the research process that will lead students to relevant information?
Does your assignment need to be modified at this point? If so, how?
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize information from multiple sources
5.2 Present the result
__ Does your assignment require multiple sources?
__ Does your assignment encourage presenting information in the form of graphs, tables, diagrams, or maps?
__ Have you considered integrating technology through PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, databases, videoconferencing, Web pages, and other applications?
Does your assignment need to be modified at this point? If so, how?
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the result (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
__Did you provide students with a clear and thorough rubric and that would allow them to complete the assignment successfully?
__ Does your assignment/rubric require them to evaluate the entire research process?
__Does your assignment/rubric ask students to identify what was the best source of information for the project and explain why?
__Did you ask students to reflect on what they could have done better next time when locating information?
__ Did you ask students to reflect on what they did particularly well when locating information?
__ Did you ask students to provide advice to future students on where and how to find the information they need for the assignment?
Does your assignment need to be modified at this point? If so, how?
*Information Literacy Assignment Checklist created by Kate Kelley, Michelle Steever; Chariho Middle School Library Media Specialists