Information for Librarians
These web pages were created for ESL 007 classes doing group speeches. The web pages are intended to be used in conjunction with library instruction, and will introduce students to how to find, use, and evaluate information in reference books and on web pages. Before the library instruction takes place, each class should select one of the main topics (e.g., The 1960s), then each group will select sub-topics. Some possible sub-topics are listed on each topical web page.
The reference books listed on these pages are located at the Alexandria Campus. Feel free to download any of these files and adapt them for your own campus.
There is an optional pre- and post-test that can be administered to the students. The pre-test would be given before library instruction and the post-test would be given after the students have completed their research and given their speeches.
Guide for Library Instruction (Adapt as you like! As outlined below, instruction takes approximately 1 hr. 20 min.):
Materials:
- Handout listing reference books appropriate for the topic, which should also include the URL for the ESL 007 main page
- Handout "How to Evaluate Web Pages"
- Web page evaluation in-class exercise
1. Make sure the class has selected one of the main topics before coming in for instruction. If you and the teacher would like the class to take the pre- and post-tests, give copies of the pre-test to the teacher for the students to complete either the day of or the class period before library instruction. Contact Anne Anderson for a copy of the pre- and post-tests.
2. During library instruction in the reference area, students should be given a handout listing the reference books appropriate for their topic. This handout should also include the URL for the ESL 007 main page.
Instruction in the reference area should cover: what reference books have to offer, why reference books are often a good place to start research, indices and tables of contents, call numbers, and selecting reference books appropriate for your topics.
In their groups, students can take 5-10 minutes to select a reference book from the list that would be appropriate for their topic and then find the book on the shelf.
3. In a computer classroom, go over how to type in the URL on their handout to get to the ESL 007 main page.
Then discuss the ease of finding any information vs. finding GOOD information on the web. Ask class to come up with criteria they would use to determine whether or not the information on a web page is good. Distribute "How to Evaluate Web Pages" handout.
Instruction should also cover the basic differences between subject directories and search engines, what each is good for, and why subject directories are usually better places to start for academic research.
For the in-class web page evaluation exercise, divide class into pairs, with each pair seeking out the answer to ONE of the questions (since there are currently only 8 questions, for classes with more than 16 students some pairs may end up answering the same question). NOTE that the exercise is available on the web, so students can go directly to that page and click on the URL to the web page they are to evaluate instead of typing it in. If there is time, each pair can also start on Question 9. Go over results together as a class.
4. Post-tests should be administered after the students give their speeches, so they will have had a chance to do the research. Find out from the teacher when the speeches will be given, then give the teacher copies of the post-test around that time. There is also an evaluation form for teachers to complete. Contact Anne Anderson for a copy of this form.
For questions or comments, please contact Anne Anderson