1. Scaffolding the Research Process (6-12)
GALILEO
Scaffolding the Research Process (6-12)
Russell Palmer

2. Scaffolding
Instructional techniques and assignments that build confidence, understanding, and ultimately, independence
Middle and High School students are expected to do research
It is easy to overwhelm them causing:
Fear
Intimidation
Procrastination

3. My experience with scaffolding
Students arrive at college
Instructor expectations not aligned with student research and writing skills
Librarians assist with:
Reconciling faculty expectations with reality
Integrating a scaffolded approach to research
Research assignment suggestions that build confidence

4. Refining inquiry

5. Assignment ideas

6. Concept Mapping “A graphical map of the relationship between terms”
Helps students:
Understand all the aspects of a topic
Narrow a broad topic to something more reasonable
Discover terms they can use in their research
Helps teachers:
Identify gaps in student knowledge
Assessment
Activity doesn’t require a lot of complicated materials (post its will do)
Learn more:

8. Practice choosing the right resource

9. The annotated bibliography
Excellent preparation for a deeper research project
Improves several different skills:
Critical reading/thinking/writing
Citing sources properly
Understanding different types of resources
Scaffolds toward a larger research project:
Develops better understanding of a topic
Helps to refine the topic
Reduces the research burden for later assignments
For a good overview with examples: /The_Annotated_Bibliography.pdf

10. GALILEO resources that help
SIRS Discoverer
Explora
EBSCO eBooks High School Collection
Britannica School
Middle Search Plus
Advanced Placement Source
Academic Search Complete

11. GALILEO Tool Bar Firefox / Chrome addons available
Search from the browser (password prompts when off site)
Makes it easier to access the Discover search
Enhances the user experience in Wikipedia

13. GALILEO Special Project: National History Day

14. Hands on time!
We have seen some ideas and resources for engaging 6-12 students in the classroom
Get together in groups of 3
Brainstorm: Create 3 (one each) ideas for engaging 6-12 students in inquiry
You’ll also find a list to spark your creativity at:
Consider:
Grade level/curriculum
Building a bridge to confidence in research and writing
How GALILEO resources will help
Learning outcomes
Be ready to share:
Target age group/grade level
Idea
Resources used

15. Sharing your ideas Volunteers (if not, I call on you):
A few sentences about your idea including:
Target age group/grade level
Idea
Resources used
Learning outcomes

16. Thank you!