Technology Enhanced Language Learning at the English Language Institute
The Power of Digital Search
Issue
6, Fall 2004
TELL
ELI Archives
Annotated Collection on Information Literacy
Debbie Mitchell
How's your information literacy faring these days? Not only is it a challenge for us to remain proficient with rapidly expanding databases and USF's ever-changing library homepage, but we are also expected to be able to teach our students to use these resources, and do so in a fun yet meaningful way. The following lesson plans and online activities have been selected and reviewed to help you expand your repertoire.
Literacy
TILT--The
Information Literacy Tutorial
http://web.lib.usf.edu/ref/TILT/index.html
TILT was developed by the University of Texas to teach information literacy
in an interactive format. Rather than being taught in a dry, traditional
way, students are given basic concepts in a colorful, graphic layout,
and then presented with questions and problems to work through. Once they
have submitted their entries, they are given immediate feedback. TILT
includes three, 30-minute lessons: selecting database resources, searching
with keywords, and evaluating the source and MLA citation format. Each
lesson also includes a summary quiz. Although some pages are text-heavy
and not written for ESL, there are some very motivating games such as
“Think Fast” and “Library Squares,” an animated
version of the Hollywood Squares game show.
http://library.nyu.edu/research/tutorials/boolean/boolean.html
Students often need to use databases to find sources for research assignments; however, they often give up because their searches are too broad or too narrow. The problem is their choice of keyword, lack of knowledge on truncation, or unfamiliarity with Boolean search terms. This interactive tutorial will teach them how to use Boolean tools to make their searches more effective.
Following a brief introduction, students are greeted by a little green alien who arrives in a rocket ship. The UFO theme continues with a sample research problem about the government concealing UFO encounters. After reading the problem, the student is asked a series of questions related to Boolean searching. As they make selections of search terms, authentic displays are provided and feedback is given for each answer choice. The student may try again or move on. At any time during the tutorial, the student can click on the questions and terms to see explanations and definitions. Unlike other library tutorials, this one is not full of lengthy text. The text boxes are easy to read and vocabulary is highlighted with quick links to definitions.
Research
101. An online tutorial with Flash Animation
http://www.lib.washington.edu/uwill/research101/
Research 101 is an interactive online tutorial for students needing an
introduction to research skills. The tutorial covers the basics, including
how to select a topic and develop research questions, as well as how to
select, search for, find, and evaluate information sources. Although this
site was developed by the University of Washington, it is not specific
to the UW library, and it can be downloaded. There are six units in this
tutorial, each with its own set of objectives, information, exercises,
and an interactive review quiz providing immediate feedback. The units
also include downloadable worksheets that can be completed as the student
moves through the tutorial. The worksheets can be filled out online and
e-mailed to the teacher, or printed out and brought to class.
USF
Librarian, Jim Vastine. Homepage
http://www.lib.usf.edu/ref/jvastine/classes.htm
Jim Vastine has served both ELI teachers and ELI students for many years.
He understands our needs, and as a result his homepage is a trove of resources
for lessons and presentation. When you review his homepage, you will see
ELI PowerPoint and ELI Library Tour.
In addition, other useful downloads include the Library Tour Assignment,
a worksheet for advanced database instructional help, a comprehensive
brochure for the University Experience course, and a Library Brochure,
which includes: using your ID card, floor plans, beginning research, and
links to everything else you need that you cannot find.
http://web.lib.usf.edu/services/vtours.html
Short video tours, using Real Player, introduce students to the USF Library. There are six videos, including Orientation, Reference, Periodicals, Government Documents and Media Resources. Each video tour is approximately two to four minutes in length. Choose 256K for better resolution.
Teaching
Information Literacy to Generation Y
http://www.library.csuhayward.edu/staff/ginno/ACRL/default.htm
Tested Strategies for Reaching the Headphone-Wearing, Itchy Mouse-Fingered,
and Frequently Paged. This website is from a poster session by Judith
Faust, et al, presented at the ACRL 10th National Conference - Spring
2001 at California State University. The author provides examples of traditional
(old) lessons and then compares them to examples of (new) lessons plans
geared to Generation Y students. The lesson plans include ideas good for
students with short attention spans or those who are bored easily. Lessons
involve group work, charts, movement, and visually-cued directions instead
of text-heavy directions. Some lessons could be used as is; others will
need to be adapted.
http://www.libraryinstruction.com/lessons.html
This is a list of lesson plans compiled by Michael Lorenzen, Head Reference Librarian at Central Michigan University. These lessons have been contributed by other teachers, and although not ESL specific, they can be adapted to most any classroom. Ideas include jigsaw activities, group activities, and PowerPoint presentations on evaluating the news, journals vs. magazines, and plagiarism. The site also includes links to articles on library instruction and information literacy.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Information_Literacy
This website is a project of the Information Institute of Syracuse, with links to ERIC. In addition to articles on Library Instruction, there are a few lesson plans for aimed at Continuing Education/Adult students. Lessons include a search engine scavenger hunt, a multi-task lesson surrounding a story, discussion questions, website evaluations, and posting research findings.
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