Project Help

Information Skills Process

Plan                  Investigate             Present            Reflect

Define   Locate          Select  Organise               Present                      Assess



Plan

Defining


Brainstorm key words and questions for your task.You can so this in class with your group, or family at home! Use dictionaries and encyclopedias to define key terms. Visuwords is a good way to help define your key terms.
Use a mind map to cluster key ideas- you can try exploratree to develop your mind-map.
Check the assessment rubric [if you've been given one] or project task to make sure you are doing what you need to.

Encyclopedias & Dictionaries

Join Kogarah City Council Library  [at South Hurstville or Oatley] to access World Book Online!
Join Hurstville City Library [at Hurstville or Penshurst] to access Encyclopaedia Britannica online!


Check out the How to do Research: Plan Your Project website for more ideas on Defining your task.

Locating


Brainstorm with your group what you know already and think about what you need to find out.
Think about where you might find useful resources.
Consider some of the following resources to help you:

  • Libraries
  • Websites
  • People
  • Organisations

Libraries

School Library
Library Catalogue [From School] or login to Kidspace and use the MyLibrary there.


Local Libraries:
You need to be a member of the local library to borrow from them and use their online resources- join today!

Two libraries close to us are:
Kogarah City Council Library - you can go to South Hurstville or Oatley branches and they will order the book if it is at Kogarah. You can also access World Book Encyclopaedia online from home with your library card!
Hurstville City Library - Hurstville also has a library at Penshurst [near the netball courts at Olds Park]. You can also access Encyclopaedia Britannica online from home with your library card!

Search Engines

This is a very helpful search engine because you just keep making choices until it gets you where you want to be - you don't have to worry about making spelling or typing mistakes!
This is a really easy to use search engine that will show different types of results for your keyword. It will include websites, images and a definition if there is one. Make sure you look on the left had side as it will also give suggestions to widen your search [cover more of the topic] or narrow your search [make it more specific].
When you begin typing a keyword in this search engine, it will give you options to improve your search. Once you have finished typing, it also gives other options to help your search, including choosing to search for Australian sites.
Yippy - formerly "clusty" a different way of looking at search results

Check out the How to do Research: Search for Information website for more ideas on locating your information

 

Investigate

Selecting


Is the Website you found a good site to use - click here to remind yourself of What makes a good site
How useful is the source to your particular task?
Skim the information.
Look for keywords.
Identify information that links with your task.
Decide if the information seems reliable.
Summarise and record useful information in a learning journal or draft book.
Record sources of information such as website addresses or book title and author.
Use the Bibliography help sheet to record your sources :-) [don't forget to download the Word version so you can add your books and websites!]

Check out the How to do Research: Take Notes and  How to do Research: Use Your Information website for more ideas on taking notes and using information.

Organising


Review the purpose of your task - check the assessment rubric [if you've been given one] or project task again!
Ask yourself:

  • Have I found out what I needed to?
  • Have I enough information?
  • Do I need to use all the information?
  • How can I best combine the information from the different sources?
Create a structure for your information - eg do you want to use headings for the different sections of information


Presenting


What will you do with the information?
How will you present it?
Consider who your audience is.
Prepare your presentation
Present your information
Depending on your task [and maybe your teacher's requirements], your presentation could include one or more of the following:
  • report
  • model
  • poster
  • pamphlet
  • powerpoint
  • digital "story" - imovie
  • speech
  • short video clip

Check out the How to do Research: Share website for more ideas on how to present you work

Reflect 

Assessing


Did your finished product meet the task requirements?
How did you go with each step of the task?
How did you go presenting your information?
What were you happy with?
What do you need to improve?
Check the assessment rubric [if you were given one] to make sure you did what you need to.
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