Discovering D.I.S.C.O.V.E.R

I found a small light at the end of the tunnel. While I have accepted the techno world. In my head I keep asking myself how the heck am I going to implement this in a classroom. After watching a video on information literacy and DISCOVER I am a little more confident in the implementation. https://campusweb.msmc.edu/moodle190/mod/resource/view.php?inpopup=true&id=3611

First, the video starts off with 'data smog' or the idea of information overkill. Information literacy is the solution to data smog. Basically it is the skills that will allow us to know what info to look for and how to organize the data efficiently and effectively. By the way, the official definition ...

Information Literacy is the ability to articulate a problem to be investigated, locate and assemble information, scrutinize gathered resources, process and apply information towards a solution, and contemplate the effectiveness of the entire process.

But wait, there is more. The technique used is DISCOVER.

• Define. What exactly are you looking for? Different search terms may turn up very different results. Try different strings.
  
• Inquire. use a variety of online resources, use journal, magazines, newspaper articles.
  
• Search. Use different search engines beyond google, like dogpile and metacrawler.
  
• Collect. Websites for further consideration - site sources (no stealing).
  
• Organize. Info based on what will help me most.
  
• Verify. Authors of websites and that the info is unbiased, reliable, truthful. Websites that end in .edu, .gov, might be more reliable than .com.
  
• Express. Publish info into a presentation or report- share my findings.
  
• Reflect. How well did the search string work? Was info current and up to date? Narrow search?

Ok, so that was very factual. Using an example of MT. Everest the video showed a hands on way to implement DISCOVER in the classroom, which was extremely beneficial!

Use the D in discover to dissect or ask the Who? What? When? Where? Why? questions. Next, define the possible search terms to the class prior to the search in a graphic organizer. Model the Inquiry process (look beyond traditional sources ie non-fiction, fiction, essays, interviews, photos, videos). Search beyond google (use dogpile and metacrawler). Collect sources. Verifying - look for contact info, home page link, date last modified, authors, advertising, extension .gov, .edu, etc). Express discovery - share. And reflect, did you find what you were looking for?

So I think what helped me most is that the video made me THINK. It made me QUESTION. Now I will go beyond google, question the validity of the information, discover new sites, source my information, check to see if material has been updated. And now I have a starting point to work with kids in the classroom.