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Morton Library HomePage: Research Help

Morton Middle School Library Home Page in Omaha Public Schools

Big 6 +Inquiry for Research

1: Task Definition

  • Asks, Creates, and Refines Questions for Inquiry
  • Determines Path for Inquiry
  • Identifies Intended Audience
  • Understands Rubric Expectations and Product Components

2 & 3: Information Seeking/Location & Access

  • Understands the Organization of the Library
  • Identifies Possible Sources of Information
  • Seeks Information from Diverse Genres, Formats, and Points of View
  • Uses Information Seeking Strategies to Locate Information within a Variety of Sources
  • Evaluates Sources of Information

4: Use of Information

  • Makes Sense of Information by Clarifying Main and Supporting Ideas
  • Looks for Patterns and Connects Ideas Across Resources
  • Organizes Information by Using a Variety of Tools & Strategies
  • Uses Information Ethically

5: Synthesis & Sharing

  • Compares New ideas to Prior Knowledge and Draws Conclusions by Integrating New Ideas with Prior Knowledge
  • Creates Product to Express New Learning and Chooses Presentation Format Based on Requirements, Audience, and Personal Strengths

6: Self Evaluation

 

  • Reflects on the inquiry process

 

Evaluating Web Resources

THE FIVE W'S OF WEB SITE EVALUATION

WHO:

  • WHO WROTE THE PAGES? ARE THEY AN EXPERT?
  • IS A BIOGRAPHY INCLUDED?
  • HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR?

WHAT:

  • WHAT DOES THE AUTHOR SAY IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SITE?
  • WHAT MAKES THE SITE EASY TO USE? WHAT INFO IS INCLUDED?
  • HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SITES?

WHEN:

  • WHEN WAS THE SITE CREATED?
  • WHEN WAS IT LAST UPDATED?

WHERE:

  • WHERE DOES THE INFORMATION COME FROM?
  • WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SPONSOR OF THIS SITE?

WHY:

  • WHY DO YOU THINK THIS PAGE WAS POSTED?
  • WHY IS THIS INFOR USEFUL FOR MY PURPOSE?
  • WHY IS THIS PAGE BETTER THAN ANOTHER?

Types of Web Resources

Online Databases

Online Databases are a group of web subscription resources that the library has selected for patrons use.  The library pays the cost of the subscription to ensure that patrons have reliable resources to easily use.  Online Databases have been evaluated by the librarians to ensure their content is current, relevant, and meets the needs of the widest variety of patrons.  Online databases include encyclopedias, magazines, eBooks, and reference materials.  Patrons can use the information, pictures, diagrams, and videos found on the databases with confidence knowing that the information is of the highest quality.

 

Search Engines

A search engine is a web site that collects and organizes content from all over the internet. Those wishing to locate something enter a term for what they would like to find and the engine provides links to websites that have the same term somewhere on the website.  The problem with search engines is that the pages suggested are not selected for quality or relevance to what the person is looking for the suggestion is solely based on the term the person uses and how the engine ranks the pages.  Search engines tend to return a large number of results with the most popular or best matches for your words at the top.  When using a search engine the web pages must be individually evaluated by the user.

 

Internet Directories

Directories place websites into categories. The websites are selected according to the policies of the group that creates the directory. Directories can lead you quickly to the best or most relevant sites on your topic. Search engines tend to return a large number of results with the most popular or best matches for your words at the top; directories return fewer but often better results. Most directories include a search feature in addition to category browsing.

 

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a free, open content online encyclopedia created through the collaborative effort of a community of users known as Wikipedians . Anyone registered on the site can create an article for publication; registration is not required to edit articles. The site's name comes from wiki, a server program that enables anyone to edit Web site content through their Web browser.  Users of Wikipedia need to remember that anyone can edit the information on the site so all entries need to be carefully evaluated.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).

Las Escuelas Públicas de Omaha no discriminan basados en la raza, color, origen nacional, religión, sexo, estado civil, orientación sexual, discapacidad , edad, información genética, estado de ciudadanía, o estado económico, en sus programas, actividades y empleo, y provee acceso equitativo a los “Boy Scouts” y a otros grupos juveniles designados. La siguiente persona ha sido designada para atender estas inquietudes referentes a las pólizas de no discriminación: El Superintendente de las Escuelas, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131 (531-299-9822).