Information Literacy Plan

Tina Moses
Georgia Southern University
FRIT 7136, Fall 2012
Reference and Information Sources
Georgia OnMyLine
Rebecca Warren, Instructor

Research Pathfinder:
http://tinamoses67.pbworks.com/w/page/60938197/FrontPage

Information Literacy Lesson Plan

Grade:

10

SLMS: Tina Moses

Content Topic: American History

Teacher: Mashuq Askerzada

Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Standard:
1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.
Skills Indicator:
1.1.5 Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity,
and appropriateness for needs, importance, and social and cultural context.
Benchmark:
1.1.5 -Recognize that knowledge can be organized into disciplines that influence the
way information is presented and use this understanding to effectively access
information.
-Evaluate information from a variety of social or cultural contexts, based on
currency, accuracy, authority, and point of view.
Dispositions Indicator(s):
1.2.2: - Demonstrate confidence and self direction by making independent choices in
the selection of resources and information.
1.2.4: - Maintain a critical stance by questioning the validity and accuracy of all
information.
Self-Assessment Strategies Indicator(s):
1.4.1 Monitor on information seeking processes for effectiveness and progress, and
adapt as necessary.
1.4.2 - Use interaction with and feedback from teachers and peers to guide on inquiry
process.
1.4.4- Seek appropriate help when it is needed.

CONNECTION TO LOCAL OR STATE STANDARDS:

SSUSH1: The student will describe European settlement in North America during the 17th century.
SSUSH3: The student will explain the primary causes of the American Revolution.
SSUSH4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American
Revolution
SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption
and implementation of the United States Constitution
SSUSH6 The student will analyze the impact of territorial expansion and population growth
and the impact of this growth in the early decades of the new nation

Overview:
The students will learn the methods of website evaluation for their various American
History research projects. The students will learn about neighborhood of a source,
evaluating author and publisher background, degree of bias, expertise thoroughness of
content and currency of the contents.
Final Product
Students will learn to evaluate websites to assist in their research projects using the
schools databases and the SLMS created pathfinder.
Assessment:
1. Students will use a rubric to guide their web site evaluation.
2. Students will use the website evaluation form to determine the reliability of the
resources they will choose for their research.
Process:
1. The teacher and SLMS will use the rubric to assess students evaluation of
websites.
2. The teacher and SLMS will also use the web evaluation form to assess students
website evaluation skills.
3. The teacher and SLMS will also observe students as they locate and evaluate
websites for their papers.
Students self-questioning:
-What sources should I use?
-Am I using the correct criteria in evaluating this website?
- How can this become a habit when seeking information in real life situations?
Instructional Plans:
Resources the student will use.

Websites
Research pathfinder: http://tinamoses67.pbworks.com/w/page/60938197/FrontPage
Instruction/activities:
Direct Instruction: I will use the Smart board and the computer to demonstrate the
different criteria for website evaluation. I will show students reliable websites and
hoax sites. I will discuss why it is important to have reliable sources for research. I
will show hoax sites and why they should be careful when searching for information
on the web. I will also talk about how important it is to think critically about
information searches in real life situations.
Modeling and guided practice: Using the research pathfinder I will select a website
and demonstrate the process of evaluating a website using the checklist I provided
for the students. I will think out loud and show the students how I arrived at my
answers. I will then find another website and have the students practice using the
criteria for website evaluation.
Independent practice: The students will start their research by selecting websites that
are appropriate for their topics. I will instruct the students to choose one website
randomly from the web to evaluate. The students will use the website checklist to
determine if the website is appropriate for use in their research.
Sharing and reflecting: If there is time the students will share their experiences and
what they have learned about website evaluation.
Reflection of BOTH lesson and collaboration: The hardest part of the collaboration
was finding the time to get together and discuss what the students needed to learn. He
essentially said I trust you to deliver a good lesson. He requested the lesson be limited
to one day because of the time frame he has established to cover the standards. The
challenge then became how can I deliver and assess a lesson within 50 minutes. I think
this was the biggest challenge.
As I began the lesson I realized many of the students had problems searching for
appropriate resources because their topics were not narrow enough. Many of them had
no idea where to start with their research projects. I gave them a brief explanation of
what the media center is and told them their media specialist will be their best friend
through this entire project. The students were really engaged and excited about learning
this new skill. They had lots of questions and the most exciting part was during
independent practice as we walked around and engaged the students during their
searches. The thing I found fascinating is that teachers and administrators do recognize
the SLMS as a resource to assist teachers and schools meet their instructional goals.

The students performed well on the assessment. I wanted to design an assessment that
would allow the students to think about the process. There were 28 students in the class
and 13 scored very well, 12 fell in the good range, and 3 did not meet all of the criteria. I
think they were the ones that had the most problems in the general search for
information.

Website Evaluation
Name______________________________________________________________
Website URL: ______________________________________________________
Subject____________________________________________________________
What is the Neighborhood of the website?
Who is the author/ or publisher? Does the site clearly state who the author is?

Yes

No

Is contact information provided for the contact and or publisher?

Yes

No

How current is the information? Is it hard to determine? Are there any revisions?

Yes

No

How well is the site written? Are there any grammatical errors?

Yes

No

Does any bias exist on the site?

Yes

No

Does the site list the sources for the information? Are there any links to additional
sources or bibliography given?

Yes

No

Is the information useful for your purposes? Please explain how it will be useful for
your research

Yes

No

Source: Adapted from the web site evaluation check list of Deborah Lindblad

Evaluation Rubric

Website Evaluation

CATEGORY

Does not meet

Good

Exceptional

Criteria

Does not recognize the

criteria for web
evaluation. Less than 3
questions answered
correctly

Recognizes most of the

criteria for web
evaluation. Answered 3
or more questions
correctly

Recognizes all of the criteria for web

evaluation. All questions answered
correctly.

Questions

Student does not show

Student shows an
Student shows excellent synthesis. The
synthesis of information adequate synthesis of
student clearly references material in
when answering
information when
answers.
questions. Includes no
answering questions.
reference to material in Includes some reference
answers
to material in answers

Sources

Student does not

Student chose some
choose appropriate
appropriate websites to
websites to evaluate for
evaluate for topics.
topics

Student chose appropriate websites to

evaluate for topic