The Big6 SkillsThe Big6 Skills

A Problem-Solving Approach

to

Information Skills Instruction

as developed by Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz

The Big6(tm) is copyright (c) (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and RobertE. Berkowitz. www.big6.com

ScenarioScenario

The Pokorny family wants to get a new dog. They’re going to use the Big6 research skills to help them decide what kind of dog to get.

1. Task Definition1. Task Definition Define the information problem (choose a

topic). Identify the information needed to solve the

problem.“Find the perfect dog for our family”

-Identify Criteria: Easy to train? Size?

Short hair? Good with children? Cost?

2. Information 2. Information Seeking StrategiesSeeking Strategies

Brainstorm all possible sources. Select the best sources.

“Where can we find information that will help us make our choice?”-Breed specific books? Encyclopedias?Magazines? Friends with dogs? Internet?

Breeders?

3. Location and 3. Location and AccessAccess

Locate sources. Find information within sources.“Let’s start gathering quality information to

help us make our decision…”

Visit the library, call breeders/vets, look online

4. Use of 4. Use of InformationInformation Evaluate the information

Take out needed information Put facts in your own words

“Of the information we found, what is going to help us make our decision?”

-Scan the information. Is it accurate? (from a reliable source?) Take notes. Use Index.

5. Synthesis5. Synthesis Organize information from all sources. Create your product to share

information- (paper, poster, PowerPoint)“Let’s put this all together, draw conclusions, and make an

educated decision.”

Put note/fact cards in logical order, categorize information, create spreadsheet with dog characteristics by breed, compare/contrast top choices to make best decision.

6. Evaluation6. Evaluation Edit your product. Check for

mistakes. Judge the product- could you have

done better? (Use rubric)“Are we happy with our new pet?”

Did we accurately determine if the pet was a good fit for our family? Did we find enough information?Was the information we found accurate?

What kind of dog did the Pokorny What kind of dog did the Pokorny family choose?family choose?

Louise

To sum up...To sum up...

Information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They are prepared for life long learning because they can

always find the information needed for any task or decision at hand.