Transitioning Knowledge to Synthesis - Reflection

"When we approach Internet inquiry as both teachers and learners, we join our students on the journey of inquiry..."(Eagleton, 2007). The model of Internet inquiry in the text Reading the Web strategies for Internet inquiry describes five (Questioning, Understanding resources, Evaluating, Synthesizing, Transforming) phase and strategies required in each phase. Having each phase described helped me realize the literacy skills students must acquire to be successful using the Internet.
One of the most enlightening applications from the course Supporting Information Literacy and Online Inquiry was evaluating search engines and websites. I have always used Google to do searches and took for granite that the sites I used were valid. I realize that my students may have had the same experience, only using what is familiar and not knowing how to evaluate a website for validity. Another insightful application was citing resources. While writing I have used the practice of citing sources, I did not realize anything being reproduced should be cited. I will definitely make sure in my future practices to cite worksheets, pictures, or content from sources I use in my classroom.
Moving forward I would like to share my new knowledge with my students. I would like to try the Internet inquiry based lesson created in this course. My students will learn the QUEST model, complete activities reinforcing literacy skills and produce a culminating project.


Reference:
Eagleton, M.B., & Dobler, E. (2007). Reading the web:Strategies for internet inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press.