BIG 6:THE INFORMATION LITERACY SOLUTION

Mandy Dempsey and Kathryn Stephenson

The Problem

Inquiry ProcessI-Search

Building Blocks of ResearchSavvy 7

Flip ItResearch Cycle

Eight Ws

What’s a teacher to do?

What method should YOU choose?

Never Fear

BIG 6IS HERE!

What is Big 6?

Big 6 is: An information literacy curriculum An information problem-solving

process A set of skills which provide a

strategy for effectively and efficiently meeting information needs

Why Should I Use Big 6? Big6 uses a multi-level approach so students can develop

competency in information problem-solving and decision-making that will carry forward into lifelong, useable skills (

Big6 integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and tasks (Robinson 11)

Big6 skills are not taught in isolation, but within context, current curriculum, and everyday experiences.

Big6 can be applied as a thinking process to deal with most problems and therefore can be applied consistently and repeatedly throughout the learning program, thereby increasing a student’s chances of learning it” (Hughes 28)

Big 6 Student Benefits

Students will: Learn transferable planning and organizing skills they will

be able to apply for a lifetime Find, sort, and apply relevant, credible information to

creatively solve a problem. Prepare a solution based on reliable information, and give

proper credit to information sources. Achieve results using any individual learning style.

Students will consider if their current style and approach works well for problem solving.

Understand general problem-solving concepts and then refine each skill to learn and perfect specific details

Big 6 Teacher Benefits

Adaptable: Your current units and lessons can be framed within the Big6 context. Big6 compliments standards-based curriculum, and has terminology to fit student learning in grades K-12 and beyond.

Flexible: Emphasize one Big6 skill or all Big6 skills throughout a school year, based on needs in your school, time and resources available, and library/classroom partnership.

Collaboration: Big6 facilitates communication among administrators, classroom teachers, and teacher-librarians. The Big6 is useful when you need to coordinate cross-curricular projects.

Training: Big6 Trainers are professional, in-school educators. Big6 workshops are tailored to meet your local needs, and the Big6.com website resources provide ongoing support.

The Big 6 Steps

Uses/Integration into Curriculum

Lessons/Examples

Support for teaching Big 6

http://www.big6.org offers teachers a vast array of teaching support and staff development including: Using Big6 in all content areas such as

Language Arts, Math, Music, Science, Social Studies, and Special Needs.

Free resources such as graphic organizers, note taking, activity pages, and more.

Information on workshops, grants for training, and webinars.

Just For Fun Teachers, engage your students before

you begin with the Big 6 song! http://www.big6.com/2006/12/10/sing-a-song-of-research-t

urning-the-big6-into-a-tune/

Conclusion

Works Cited