FREE e-book: Critical Thinking and Web Research Skills

It seems like the common answer to "What is.....?" these days is "Google it!"

Not an entirely incorrect answer given the wealth of digital devices at our disposal lately - but it does make me wonder if everyone really knows HOW to Google it!?!?!

This free classroom guide from Microsoft geared toward middle and high school students covers the following:

Mechanics of searching

Lesson plans Title Description Searching — Lesson plan — Beginner, Microsoft Office Word document, 73 KB Students who are starting to learn the research process develop beginning skills for conducting an effective and efficient search of web-based information. Searching — Lesson plan — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 84 KB Students who are proficient in conducting accurate web searches learn to refine them and explore the ways to develop questions and to translate those questions into search queries. Searching — Lesson plan — Advanced, Microsoft Office Word document, 81 KB Students refine search-conducting skills to develop the ability to search for specific sites from a variety of organizations, such as education or government agencies, and sites from specific countries and in specific languages. Student worksheets and handouts Title Description Searching — Student handout, Microsoft Office Word document, 42 KB This handout provides a search reference list that includes web addresses and their endings, along with tips for effective searching. Searching — Student worksheet 1, Microsoft Office Word document, 44 KB Students record and evaluate search results with this worksheet. Searching — Student worksheet 2, Microsoft Office Word document, 143 KB Students create a graphic organizer to track search progress with this worksheet. Class demonstration guide Title Description Searching — Teacher demo — Beginner, Microsoft Office Word document, 1.2 MB Teachers can show students this beginner-level search protocol to use as they begin to learn about web research. Searching — Teacher demo — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 50 KB Teachers can show students this intermediate-level search protocol to use as they learn more about web research. Searching — Teacher demo — Advanced, Microsoft Office Word document, 250 KB Teachers can show students an advanced-level search protocol to use as they learn about web research. Searching — Teacher demo — Tips, Microsoft Office Word document, 376 KB This handout includes tips for teachers who are demonstrating web searches and teaching web search skills.

Validity and reliability

Lesson plans Title Description Validity — Lesson plan — Beginner, Microsoft Office Word document, 77 KB Students learn beginner-level skills that help them validate the accuracy and content of a website. Validity — Lesson plan — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 70 KB Students learn intermediate-level skills that help them validate the accuracy and content of a website. Validity — Lesson plan — Advanced, Microsoft Office Word document, 77 KB Students learn advanced-level skills that help them validate the accuracy and content of a website. Student worksheets and handouts Title Description Validity — Student handout 1, Microsoft Office Word document, 59 KB Students can refer to this list of questions to consider while researching on the web. Validity — Student worksheet 1, Microsoft Office Word document, 44 KB Students find and record information about websites. Validity — Student worksheet 2, Microsoft Office Word document, 47 KB Students review websites and record how and where they were able to confirm their accuracy. Validity — Student worksheet 3, Microsoft Office Word document, 44 KB Students review websites, evaluate their accuracy, and reflect on the evaluation process. Validity — Student worksheet 4, Microsoft Office Word document, 44 KB Students review Wikipedia articles and answer questions about validity, including bias. Class demonstration guide Title Description Validity — Teacher demo — Beginner, Microsoft Office Word document, 63 KB Teachers show students how and where to find information about websites, including the publisher. Validity — Teacher demo — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 48 KB Teachers guide students through websites and lead a discussion about each site's publisher. Validity — Teacher demo — Advanced, Microsoft Office Word document, 46 KB Teachers introduce the concept of bias on web sites. Validity — Teacher demo — Wikipedia, Microsoft Office Word document, 41 KB Teachers explain how information is published on Wikipedia.

Plagiarism

Lesson plans Title Description Plagiarism — Lesson plan — Beginner, Microsoft Office Word document, 87 KB Students learn the difference between plagiarism and paraphrasing. Plagiarism — Lesson plan — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 72 KB Students learn to evaluate copyright material and how to paraphrase for research. Plagiarism — Lesson plan — Advanced, Microsoft Office Word document, 77 KB Students learn about the concepts of copyright friendly and fair use and their importance in research. Student worksheets and handouts Title Description Plagiarism — Student handout, Microsoft Office Word document, 44 KB Students can refer to this list of resources about plagiarism to help during research. Plagiarism — Student worksheet 1, Microsoft Office Word document, 38 KB Students review source information, decide whether it contains plagiarized material, and then explain their conclusions. Plagiarism — Student worksheet 2, Microsoft Office Word document, 39 KB Students review source information and then practice paraphrasing information. Class demonstration guide Title Description Plagiarism — Teacher demo — Beginner, Microsoft Office Word document, 59 KB Teachers show students the difference between paraphrasing and plagiarizing. Plagiarism — Teacher demo — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 46 KB Teachers guide independent or group work to demonstrate conceptual understanding of plagiarism and paraphrasing.

Citing web sources

Lesson plans Title Description Citing web sources — Lesson plan — Beginner, Microsoft Office Word document, 65 KB Students learn about website documentation and how to electronically document the sources they cite. Citing Web sources — Lesson plan — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 61 KB Students practice finding and document the information they need to properly cite websites. Citing web sources — Lesson plan — Advanced, Microsoft Office Word document, 77 KB As students refine their website documentation skills, this lesson provides an opportunity for them to electronically document the sources they cite. Student worksheets and handouts Title Description Citing web sources — Student worksheet — APA 1, Microsoft Office Word document, 585 KB Students practice beginner-level skills needed to cite web resources according to the American Psychological Association (APA) preferred format. Citing web sources — Student worksheet — APA 2, Microsoft Office Word document, 40 KB Students practice intermediate-level skills needed to cite web resources according to the American Psychological Association (APA) preferred format. Citing web sources — Student worksheet — APA 3, Microsoft Office Word document, 40 KB Students practice advanced-level skills needed to cite web resources according to the American Psychological Association (APA) preferred format. Citing web sources — Student worksheet — MLA 1, Microsoft Office Word document, 164 KB Students practice beginner-level skills needed to cite web resources according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) preferred format. Citing web sources — Student worksheet — MLA 2, Microsoft Office Word document, 40 KB Students practice intermediate-level skills needed to cite web resources according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) preferred format. Citing web sources — Student worksheet — MLA 3, Microsoft Office Word document, 39 KB Students practice advanced-level skills needed to cite web resources according to the Modern Language Association (MLA) preferred format. Class demonstration guide Title Description Citing web sources — Teacher demo — Beginner , Microsoft Office Word document, 53 KB Teachers show students beginner skills needed for citing sources. Citing web sources — Teacher demo — Intermediate, Microsoft Office Word document, 52 KB Teachers show students intermediate skills needed for citing sources. Citing web sources — Teacher demo — Advanced, Microsoft Office Word document, 51 KB Teachers show students advanced skills needed for citing sources.

Civil discourse   Read it - you might just learn a tip or two as well!!