Tools for Student Research
January 2016
Best Practice
1. Recognize whether a site is valid, reliable, and appropriate. Who is the author of the site? Is the information accurate? Complete? Is the reading level of the site appropriate?
Try the WayBack Machine to check out the history of a website! https://archive.org/web/
2. Focus sources of information for students. We know there just isn't enough time in a day or a class period to allow students to peruse the internet for information by doing a general Google search. More importantly, how are you able to discern whether the sites they are using are accurate or appropriate for your task?
3. Teach students to cite their sources. A website is a resource for information and students should cite them. A wonderful tool for this is again, the Research Tool in Google Docs.
4. Help students develop the skill of locating information and then putting it into their own words. Students should never copy and paste something they read on a website. Help students understand how to pick out the information they need, record it, and then put it into their own words in their own original work. Doing so reinforces the notion that plagiarism is wrong and encourages students to generate and write their own thoughts.
Custom Google Search Engine
GoGooligans
Google Junior
Safe Search Kids
Symbaloo
Photos for Class
Annette Clark, M. Ed.
Email: annetteclark@apps.sheldonisd.com
Twitter: @EdTechClark