LIBRARY MEDIA SKILLS OBJECTIVES

The student will use the Internet to locate information related to a specific topic.

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MOTIVATIONAL OBJECTIVES: The student will:

-become interested in the research process.

-understand the importance of information skills.

-experience increased confidence in research ability

-understand the value of information skills.

-achieve satisfaction in research accomplishments.

INSTRUCTIONAL ROLES -

The science teacher initiates the project and the library media specialist follows with instruction on the use of the Internet. Sessions with the library media specialist include whole group as well as small group work. In addition, peers, the teacher, and the library media specialist provide assistance during small group activities.

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ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETION -

This lesson is presented after students have had several lessons providing general knowledge of basic life structures and common features among insects. After the student explores the topic in traditional resources such as encyclopedias, magazines, and reference books, the student accesses information via electronic sources. CD-ROM programs include reference encyclopedias such as 'Encarta' or 'Compton's.' An interactive program such as 'the Multimedia Bug Book,' although geared for the elementary level, may be included becasue of its outstanding visuals and fun, user-friendly features such as the optional audio button for students who have difficulty with reading.

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-By using visuals, the library media specialist introduces the Internet and basic search techniques to access information on the WWW.

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-The library media specialist provides a follow-up activity by displaying a poster, 'Inspecting the Wide World of Insets on the Web.' The poster captures students' attention through stimulating colors, inviting text, and interesting prictures. Students use the poster's URL addrsss to locate a specific Internet site to strengthen search skills. The library media specialist accesses the Internet and walks the students through the process of locating the site and relevant information on a a specific insect. She focuses on unique featurea of structure, habitat, and behavior of insects.

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-Students then apply their library skills knowledge by gathering specific information via the WWW to complete a science project. Peer, teacher, and library media specialist assistance throughout the activity provide a non-threatening learning environment. A computer graphics handout is provided for review of Internet searching features.

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-Students work collaboratively in pairs to search, record, and communicate their findings about a specific insect. The students' final product is a poster that presents information through pictures and text. Students focus on unique characteristics or differences of insects by structure, habitat, and behavior. The library media specialist reviews what kinds of facts or details should be recorded and follows up with a discussion on qualities of a good Internet site such as authority, accuracy, currency, and bias-free information. Students will be given an Internet resource finder to record information and to rate the web site. The teacher reviews students' notes and suggests what information should be presented on the poster. The library media specialist provides additional guidance on the selection of pictures from old magazines or drawings and the placement of visuals and text on the poster.

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FOLLOW-UP The students may:

-write to a key-pal taken from the Bug Club Internet site

-locate other web sites on insects

-display posters in the library media center and help other students access information on insects via the Internet.