Problem-Solving with TexShare
TexShare offers databases that can be used as a resource for student use in completing through TexShare, but the following databases are more suited to student needs:
Which database(s) should you use to find the answer to your questions or research?
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The Big6 model, developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, can help by providing a guide through the process of finding the answer to your inquiries. What's the big deal about The Big6? Eisenberg concluded that one can apply the same six basic stages to any information-based question no matter what the subject. The steps do not necessarily have to be followed in sequential order. The Big6 has become a popular information literacy model for educators and students. |
Everyone including students, librarians, and educators should strive to be, as the creators of the model put it, "effective users of ideas and information." The Big6 model leads the way by directing a person's thinking.
Why should I use The Big6? If you answer yes to the following...
- I want to be able to locate the information I need from the most appropriate source.
- I want to use information more effectively to answer my questions.
- I want to be able to think about the solution to a problem on my own.
- I want to know what information is the most accurate, reliable, and relevant to my needs.
Each database has one or more general subjects and may be focused for a grade level range.
Who can use The Big6 Model and what does it have to do with TexShare?
This thinking process isn't just for children. With over a dozen databases just a click away, you may wonder which TexShare databases will meet your needs. Deciding which one(s) to search will take some reasoning.
Where can I get more information about who developed The Big6 Model?
The key web site to visit is http://www.big6.com. Several other web sites contain examples and explain the Big6 further.
How does this relate to TexShare?
Anyone can use the Big6 to help figure out how to most effectively use the wealth of information found in the databases.
Original photo source: Images Academic Search Premiere
The Big6 is a step-by-step series of questions that will guide your search for information. It is simple and useful. There are six main stages found in the chart below.
Example: A high school senior student needs to learn the NASA program's successful missions to the moon. Dates, astronaut names, shuttle names, and details of each trip to space are needed and the student will deliver an eight-minute oral presentation with a visual component. She is advised to use Academic Search Premier, which is one of the databases offered through TexShare. The teacher emphasizes how extensive the database is and suggests students try to limit their searches to get the most appropriate sources for the project.
| Big6 Guide - Steps: | Ask Yourself: | Action: |
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1. Task definition - Define the problem - Identify what is needed |
Which questions need to be answered? What kind of information is needed to answer these questions? When is this due? How do I use the database? How do you limit searches? |
The student writes down keywords that deal with the topic such as NASA, moon, Apollo, and expeditions. She also knows she must get images for her presentation. She reads the databases Help page to learn how to use it. i.e. limiters |
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2. Info Seeking Strategies - Collect all possible sources - Pick the best sources |
Which journals/sources will offer information about space programs? How and where can I get pictures of astronauts on the expeditions to the moon? |
The student begins to search and find articles in several science and history publications. She also uses the "Images" feature and decides to limit her search by clicking on the only people limiter to find pictures of the astronauts involved in space programs. |
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3. Location & Access - Locate sources - Find information within sources |
Type keywords into search box and view the list of results. Do the results retrieve dates, names, and facts? | Begin skimming articles and filtering out articles not pertaining to the main question. |
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4. Use of Information - Engage - Extract Useful Info |
Read: What did you find in these articles? | Write down dates, names, and the events that occurred in each mission. Print out the best sources identified. |
| 5. Synthesis | What are you going to do with the information? | Use information from several articles (arrange information into student’s own words)to write a short speech outlining each Apollo mission and outcome(s). |
| 6. Evaluation |
Were all the questions answered by the information you found? What worked well? |
The speech is reviewed to check if it covered/answered the questions in the assignment. A picture from the database was used to show a shuttle launch. |
For further information on TexShare databases send questions and comments to texshare@tsl.state.tx.us.
This page was written by Ana C. Loya in Spring 2006.
INF 382S: Library Instruction and Information Literacy, taught by Dr. Loriene Roy
School of Information,
The University of Texas at Austin