Comments on: Turning Topics Into Searches

By: Iris

Iris — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:56:40 +0000

Hmmm… Yes, I think mediated conversations might be the way to mesh the two, or having a conversation with someone/something where you also have to teach them the language? There’s a solution in there somewhere! Or else we could just mix our metaphors proudly. :-)

By: Tasha Bergson-Michel

Tasha Bergson-Michel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:13:02 +0000

That is so funny, I also teach that computers can’t read–just as firmly. Sigh. I guess the conversation is mediated by the search engine, but is actually with my fellow humans around the world, no? Since the search tool is not the source of the information. I’ll be thinking about it, too…

By: Iris

Iris — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:45:27 +0000

Oh, I like that idea of the search itself being a conversation. I wonder how I can make that metaphor mesh with my emphatic “COMPUTERS CAN’T READ” statements (which I use to emphasize the need to watch for terms that might make better search terms, because all the computer is doing is matching letters in a row). I’ll have to think on this… Thanks!

By: Tasha Bergson-Michel

Tasha Bergson-Michel — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:40:31 +0000

Always love the way you think about research–I also teach about “conversations,” because, to me, searching is a conversation. An important conversational skill is checking whether you make sense to your conversation partner, and also listening for new ideas that might change your thinking. When I search I offer a notion/query. My first job is to look at my results and see if the search tool “understood” my need, or if I should reframe it in order to communicate fully. During this iterative process, I keep a careful ear open for any new ideas (such as search terms, but also points of view, theories, etc.) that my conversation partner offers up. And so on…. Thank you so much for sharing your lessons–helps me to reframe how I think about my own, and add on new ideas.

By: Some 100-level information literacy concepts in lesson plan form

Some 100-level information literacy concepts in lesson plan form — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 03:58:17 +0000

[...] Turning topics into searches Builds off of the idea of concept mapping in ways that then generate source decisions and search terms in very practical ways. This takes about 15 minutes and it helps if you have some seeds to start with that you can lay out on the board as the students are working. [...]

By: Iris

Iris — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:32:56 +0000

Hi Nic. Nice to see an alumn here!

Sounds like you’ve been doing this with your classes for longer than I have, so if you have any pointers for making it run smoothly, or other aspects of information literacy I can hang on the exercise, I’m all ears.

By: Nic

Nic — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:53:03 +0000

This is a really nice idea. I already do something similar with my 9th grade Information Literacy class, but I like the activity aspect of your plan. I may try it out next semester. Thanks for Sharing!

Nic Netzel (Carleton ’01)

By: Iris

Iris — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:13:21 +0000

Thanks guys! If you figure out tweaks or changes as you’re experimenting with this, I’d love to know. I feel like it’s a technique with potential, but I’ve only just begun to work out the bugs.

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:01:53 +0000

I taught a class last night on narrowing research topics. Even though it was a 200 level class this is something that they needed to learn. If only I had seen this blog posting yesterday morning! This blog is fantastic! Thanks for all of your insight and suggestions! Keep up the great work.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:59:46 +0000

This looks great. I’m always looking for new ideas to use in my composition classes.