ICTI-140 Search Skills & Strategies for Research and Learning

About this course

Today’s learners have grown up using technology and online resources, yet many report they currently lack the skills to search, evaluate, organize, save, and properly cite the information they find. Current standards require students to research and respond analytically to literature and informational texts, but simply assigning a research paper may not provide students with the information and skills needed for them to effectively find information on the web, evaluate it, and put it to use. By modeling and providing both direct instruction and hands-on opportunities to develop strategies for conducting online research in the classroom, teachers can help to develop these critical 21st-century skills and prepare students for college and their future careers.

In this course, participants will learn more about search engines, search strategies, and the tools available for saving, sharing, and citing online resources and information. This course culminates in the creation of a grade level/subject area specific resource for teaching students research skills within the K-12 classroom. Topics include the importance and impact of research skills for 21st-century learners, search engines, Boolean search techniques, evaluating information and sources, resources for citing sources and tools and techniques for saving and sharing resources

 

What will I learn in this course?

Week 1: The Importance of Research Skills

Research is a form of literacy and learning to effectively conduct online searches are considered critical 21st-century skills for today’s learners. Encouraging students to develop strong research skills will help them to thrive in a digital environment and become better problem solvers as they learn to properly use the tools available to them. In this first module, you will learn more about the importance of developing research skills, examine a systematic method to find, use, apply, and evaluate information, and reflect on your current practices and skills in regards to online research.

Week 2: Developing Research Skills

The Internet contains a wealth of digital tools, resources, and information, but these resources are of no use to students if they are unable to locate them. When faced with a research assignment, many K-12 students are unsure where to start or how to use search engines like Google and others to find specific sources or information. In this module, you will learn more about search engines and strategies for effectively searching the web as well. You will also learn to help students develop a plan before conducting research to ensure searches generate relevant and related information to the topic.

Week 3: Evaluating Sources

Research suggests that even when students are able to locate a source of information on a topic, many lack the skills necessary to discern whether they have found a credible and reliable source of information. Discernment is one of the key factors in a student’s development as a researcher, and teachers often consider the ability to judge the quality and reliability of online content as essential to future success. In this module, you will analyze strategies for evaluating obtained information. Additionally, you will discuss and consider the viability of students using new media sources in their research and how strategies differ when evaluating such sources.

Week 4: Saving and Sharing Resources

After conducting research and gathering resources, the last thing to consider is how to save, cite, and share this information with students, colleagues, or other professional organizations. In this final module, you will learn about some of the online tools and resources available to help both you and your students to save research findings, properly cite sources, and collate new information and sources onto a platform to share with others. Along with the opportunity to experiment with an online social media or bookmarking site and online citation tools, you will share your knowledge and culminate learning by creating a research project for students that reviews strategies, incorporates technology, and provides examples search, evaluate, organize, save, and properly cite the information they find.

Why choose iTeach online courses?

  • Courses are delivered completely online, self-paced, and facilitated by an expert in the field.
  • Receive individualized feedback from your instructor.
  • Courses are equivalent to twenty professional development contact hours.
  • Work through each module at your own pace.
  • Register on an open-enrollment basis. No application or prerequisites required.
  • Receive a course completion certificate and digital badge after successfully completing the course. Use your badge to showcase your expertise and skill set on social media profiles, your email signature block, or electronic copies of a résumé.
  • All iTeach courses are designed to help educators and administrators more successfully integrate technology into teaching and learning.

FORMAT: Facilitated online course. Work each weekly module at your own pace.

COST: $120 per participant with discounts for larger groups.

SCHEDULE: This course can be scheduled for groups from the same school or district. It is not available for individual registration. The course is equivalent to 20 contact hours. Email TIM@fcit.us for group scheduling, volume discounts, or other questions.

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