The purpose of this research was to determine how information synthesis skills can be taught effectively, and to discover how the level of synthesis in student writing can be effectively measured. The intervention was an information synthesis lesson that broke down the synthesis process into sequenced tasks. Researchers created a rubric which they…

According to (P21), Partnership for 21st Century Skills (n.d.), unless the gap is bridged between how students learn and how they live, today's education system will face irrelevance. The way people work and live has been transformed by demographic, economic, political, technological, and informational forces. Schools must adapt to these…

This first "OECD Skills Outlook" presents the initial results of the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), which evaluates the skills of adults in 22 OECD member countries and two partner countries. The PIAAC survey was designed to provide insights into the availability of some key skills and how they are used at work and at home through the…

Describes how to use Jean Fritz's book "George Washington's Breakfast" to teach the Big6 process of information problem solving to first graders. Six modified terms used in teaching the lesson with the first-grade classes are: task=what, strategy=how, locate=where, use=look, synthesis=show, and evaluation=well.(LRW)

Summarizes the "Big Six" information literacy skills and examines some of the research on the problems involved in information literacy for both teachers and students. Implications of these studies and guidelines for student use of the Internet are discussed. (PEN)

Explains the importance of student self-assessment skills and how, by sharpening these skills, students and teachers can see excellent results both in and out of the classroom. Self-assessment is explained as the central part of the evaluation section of the Big6 information problem-solving process. (LRW)

Discusses ways in which new technologies, including multimedia and the World Wide Web, support and enhance a range of skills associated with deep-level processing and meaningful learning such as metacognition, problem solving, and critical thinking. Argues that these technologies are underestimated in their capacity to facilitate intellectual…

Provides specific techniques and tools to help students improve their self-assessment skills based on the evaluation component of the Big6 information problem-solving process. Highlights include an "Ask & Answer" sheet, formative assessment, group participation assessment, and scoring guides. (LRW)

Describes "FLIP IT," a process developed to help a seventh-grade class succeed at information problem solving by analyzing and defining the research process. Explains the mnemonic, FLIP IT, as focusing on the topic, locating appropriate resources, investigating and implementing the information, and producing results while using intelligent…

Describes a new competence-based engineering doctorate proposed by the Science and Economics Research Council (United Kingdom). The Parnaby Report mandated expert knowledge; appreciation of industrial engineering and development culture; skills in: project and program management, teamwork and leadership, communication, technical organization,…

Focuses on stage three of the Big6 process for teaching information problem solving--location and access. This stage has two components: locate sources and find information within sources. Highlights include the concept of index, keyword search strategy, and Boolean searching. (AEF)

Discussion of the development of information literacy focuses on a study in New Zealand elementary schools that examined teachers' understanding of information skills; teachers' understanding of resource-based learning; the role of the library; a model of information problem solving; students' experiences; conflicting information; and reading and…

Over the past 20 years, library media professionals have worked to move from teaching isolated library skills to teaching integrated information skills. Effective integration of information skills has two requirements: (1) the skills must directly relate to the content area curriculum and to classroom assignments; and (2) the skills themselves…

This handbook is intended to help classroom teachers, teacher-librarians, technology teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and students to learn about the Big6 Skills approach to information and technology skills, to use the Big6 process in their own activities, and to implement a Big6 information and technology skills program. The…

This study surveyed 126 school librarians in 18 countries, representing 131 schools serving more than 113,260 students. The survey instrument requested respondents to describe techniques they used to facilitate information literacy, their perceptions of their functions in the development of independent learners, and the training they received that…