Mary Ann Fitzgerald

Relevance judging, evaluation, and decision making in virtual libraries: a descriptive study

This study explored higher-order thinking processes in undergraduates using a virtual library. Ten undergraduates pursuing topics pertaining to their academic work were interviewed and observed as they used GALILEO (GeorgiA LIbrary LEarning Online, a virtual library containing many scholarly databases). Specifically, the study focused on relevance judging, evaluation (critical thinking), and decision making. We found a high degree of intermingling between relevance judging and evaluation, along with a number of strategies participants used to assist them in both thinking processes. Also, participants made decisions through one of three avenues in each of their appraisals of online resources.

Networking for Leadership, Inquiry, and Systemic Thinking: A New Approach to Inquiry-Based Learning

Recent changes in science education standards have mandated a prominent place for inquiry learning in science curricula. However, change from traditional teaching methods to a more inquiry-centered approach is difficult to enact. While research to date demonstrates a number of successful inquiry implementations, it also reveals a slow rate of change along with possible reasons for difficulty in adopting inquiry instructional methods. Further, inquiry reforms have failed in the past. The Networking for Leadership, Inquiry, and Systemic Thinking (NLIST) initiative, sponsored by the Council of State Science Supervisors and NASA, proposes to facilitate inquiry through systemic reform designed to avoid the mistakes of the past and incorporate new knowledge about teaching and learning. Systemic elements targeted for change include a standard conceptualization of science as inquiry, instructional materials, professional development, administrative support and leadership, facilities, community involvement, and technology infrastructure. To date, the initiative has created a detailed definition of inquiry learning and a rubric for evaluating instructional materials against this definition. This paper presents the theoretical and empirical foundations for the NLIST initiative, describes its progress, and outlines future goals.

Wikipedia: Adventures in the New Info-Paradigm

School library media specialists, along with other librarians, are often reluctant for students to use Wikipedia in their school work. This chapter argues against this perspective, citing the values of the free online encyclopedia, and suggesting strategies for exploiting its weaknesses to help students develop critical thinking skills.