Curriculum
Research and Information Fluency: Grades 6-8
Online @ the Library
Download Student Sheet(s) for printout in PDF format.
Read a Letter to Educators about Internet research and information fluency from CyberSmart!
Overview
Students learn that there are often advantages to using the Internet from a school or public library and investigate the specific services offered by their own library.
Objectives
- Identify four possible advantages of using the Internet at a library
- Investigate the specific Internet opportunities, and related restrictions, at their own library
National Educational Technology Standards for Students © 2007
Source: International Society for Technology in Education- Research and Information Fluency
- plan strategies to guide inquiry.
- Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making
- use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions.
Home Connection
Download the Home Connection sheet related to this lesson.
Site Preview
- No internet site is used in this lesson.
Materials
- Activity sheets (2)
Introduce
- Discuss how people always used to go to the library to find information. In contrast, most people today think first about using the Internet to find information.
- Explain that, in many ways, the library is still the best place to do research.
Teach 1
- Distribute Activity Sheet 1.
- Read and discuss "Here's what you can do online with a library card."
- Tell students that their parents might be required to sign a permission form allowing them to use the Internet from the library. There may be a time limit for being online. They might have to pay for each page printed. Some libraries do not permit E-mail or chat.
- When discussing subscription Web sites, tell students that the librarian may help them find Web sites that collect articles on special topics such as literature, science, business, and health.
Teach 2
- Remind students of the safety rule stated in "Be CyberSmart!"
- Ask: What kinds of information are personal? (full name, address, parents' names, school name, school address, E-mail address, phone numbers, passwords, calling card number, mother's maiden name, parent's place of work, and photos in which you can be recognized)
Teach 3
- Distribute Activity Sheet 2.
- Decide whether students will investigate their school or public library. If you choose the school library, arrange for the class to interview the school media specialist. If you choose the public library, assign one student to conduct a telephone interview or a small delegation of students to visit the library after school.
- Have students complete the activity sheet and share their findings.
Assess
The following items assess student mastery of the lesson objectives.
- Ask: What are four possible advantages of using the Internet at a library? (a free Internet connection, a librarian for guidance, the use of subscription Web sites, and access to the virtual library from any Internet-connected computer)
- Ask: Which of these advantages are available in our library? What restrictions apply when using the Internet through our library?
Extend
The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson in a previous grade.
- Have students fill out Activity Sheet 2 again, as the offerings at a library may change from year to year. Also, as students mature, different sets of rules and restrictions will apply and they may be interested in different library resources.
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