Information Fluency is a structured process to cut through info-whelm and gather good data.  We are going to look at a topic and see if we can use the Information Fluency steps to gather good quality information.

Vocabulary in this post:

• Info-whelm – being overwhelmed with information
• Structured process – steps to do something
• Topic – main idea
• Fluency – being so good at something that it is automatic
• Acquire – get something
• Analyze – see if something is good or bad

Ask: Asking a question puts you into control. Consider the difference between searching a topic like oil versus asking a question such as what types of pollution come from burning oil.

A great Wonder Question is something ungoogleable. In order to answer the question, though, you can ask sub questions to help you answer your essential question.

What will space tourism look like?

What critical questions could we ask to get at the answer?

Ask: In groups of 3-4, create 5 or 6 good questions that would help you understand what we need to know to make an accurate statement about an energy source.

Acquire: Here are some videos on energy sources.

Evaluation Guide For Online Resources by Sean Robinson

Apply: Getting information and images

Riverside Library log in

Creative Commons Search

Royalty Free images from Pexels

Your turn: Consider these BC issues with a partner or your own

Assess: What did  you do well and what could you have improved upon?

 

Criteria Sheet

Example

Ask – The critical questions I researched to answer my fundamental question?

• How did COVID-19 affect BC.s borders?
• From where do we import our gasoline?
• What is the breakdown of electricity providers?
• How did closed borders affect BC’s oil and gas?
• If we are so independent, why do gas prices fluctuate with global events?

Acquire – The digital tools that I used

• Gale Engage Learning
• Pexels
• Creative Commons
• Citation Machine

Analyze – Here is how I got my information and cited my sources.

The process I used to create my Sway was to use a notetaking document to keep track of my sources. I made sure that I didn’t copy from any of them but put relevant information in my own words. I used this document to make my Sway. I gathered pictures from share-friendly sources and cited all my sources.

Assess –  Here is how the product and process went.

Regarding my product, I could have had more content in my Sway. It is complete but could use some more details. Regarding the information fluency process, I followed the process completely and found that it really helped me understand British Columbia’s resources. I think this will help me complete other projects but also help me do quality research in the future.

More examples: Mount Polley    Squamish nexen plant