1. The Big6: a new trick to teaching guided inquiry and problem solving
Forget the old saying! You CAN teach your students a new trick!
Stacie Alexander: Creative Pitch, Explanation, Rational, Pathfinder, & PowerPoint Creation
Bert Becker: Implementation Plan, Lessons, & Additional Support
Stacie Alexander & Bert Becker

2. What is The Big 6?
Most widely used approach to teaching information and technology skills in the world
Appropriate for K-12, higher education, adult training programs, and anyone else who does problem-solving
“applicable to every age group and level of development from pre-K to senior citizen” (Eisenberg, 2003, p. 13)
Integrates information search and use skills with technology tools
A Guided Inquiry Model
A six step process model of how people of all ages solve an information problem
A process that encourages students to work smarter and develop the skills and understandings they need to find, process, and use information effectively
Guided Inquiry is a process that uses units of inquiry that are planned and guided by the LMS and teachers to help students gain deeper understandings of subject area content and information literacy concepts. Guided Inquiry teaches students skills that are needed in the workplace and daily lives of 21st-century learners (Kuhlthau, Maniotes, & Caspari, 2007).
Eisenberg, M. B. (2003). Technology for a purpose: Technology for information problem-solving with the Big6. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 47(1),
Kuhlthau, C., Maniotes, L., and Caspari, A (2007). Guided inquiry: Learning in the 21st century. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

3. Information Seeking Strategies
Task Definition
Information Seeking Strategies
Location & Access
Use of Information
Synthesis
Evaluation
The 6 Steps of the Big6
Provide handout from Big6 webpage on the process.
The steps of the Big6 are not a linear process, students can be doing any step at any time and may already be doing these steps, but just not realize it.
Each step has two sub-steps.
1. Task Definition Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed
2. Information Determine all possible sources
Seeking Select the best sources
Strategies
3. Location & Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
Access Find information within sources
4. Use of Engage (read, hear, view, touch)
Information Extract relevant information
5. Synthesis Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information
6. Evaluation Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
Big 6 skills overview. (2014). Retrieved from

4. Why use The Big6?
21st-century learners must be able to problem solve, be computer literate, and know how to use technology for a purpose.
The Big6 combines all of these skills in a 6 step process that students can apply to any situation, in the classroom or outside the classroom.
The Big6 is a process that encourages students to work smarter, not just faster.
The Big6 teaches students how to research with a purpose.
Eisenberg, M. B. (2003). Technology for a purpose: Technology for information problem-solving with the Big6. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 47(1),
Lincoln Tech. (2011, January 25). Big 6 research [video]. Retrieved from

5. Big6 Planning Team Members
Administrators
Teachers
Library Media Specialist
Instructional Support Staff

6. What are your responsibilities in the Big6 Implementation?
Administrators
Teachers
LMS
Instructional Support Staff
Arrange for Professional Development session on using Big6
Provide follow up sessions for teachers, LMS, and support staff to meet
Plan lessons and units using the Big6
Introduce students to Big6 process
Meet with LMS and support staff to collaborate and evaluate throughout the implementation process
Collaborate with teachers to plan lessons and units using the Big6
Provide instruction to students on using the Big6 process in the library
Meet with teachers and support staff to collaborate and evaluate the implementation process
Collaborate with teachers and LMS as needed to support Big6 implementation
Meet with teachers and LMS as needed to evaluate the Big6 implementation process

7. Implementation Action Plan
Understand
Plan Do
Evaluate
Understand the Big6 process
Plan units using the Big6
Collaborate with LMS on the units
Start using Big6 terminology in the classroom
Students visit the library for further instruction on the Big6 and research
Teachers and LMS evaluate the Big6 process and continue to collaborate throughout the year
Implementing Big6 will require PD sessions to start but once teachers know the basics, they start planning the Big6 into their units right away. The team needs to have time to meet and collaborate to start and then meet periodically throughout to evaluate and collaborate.

8. Timeline of Implementation
Beginning of school year
Winter Break
End of school year
1-3 4 8
5-6 7 9 10
Timeline of Implementation
Professional Development Session
Planning of units
Teachers collaborate with LMS to improve units & plan library visits
Teachers start using Big6 terminology in the classroom
Students start working on Big6 planned units & visit the library for further instruction from the LMS
Teachers & LMS guide students through first unit and the Big6 process
Teachers & LMS reflect and evaluate the Big6 process and student success with process
Students continue using the Big6 throughout the year
Teachers & LMS meet to collaborate on units and plan library visits throughout the rest of the school year
Teachers & LMS collaborate to make improvements for next year

9. What are the learning outcomes for 9th-12th grade students using the Big6?
Guided Inquiry “espouses investigation, exploration, search, quest, research, pursuit, and study”. It “does not stand alone, it engages, interests and challenges students to connect their world with the curriculum” (Kuhlthau, Maniotes, & Caspari, 2007, p. 2).
Students will :
be able to apply the Big6 skills to any problem-solving situation to help solve a problem, make a decision, or complete a task.
be able to research a topic in an effective manner.
be able to apply the Big6 process to everyday situations, in and out of the classroom.
have a basic set of essential life skills to use whenever they need to solve a problem.
Kuhlthau, C., Maniotes, L., and Caspari, A (2007). Guided inquiry: Learning in the 21st century. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

10. Big6 in the classroom Big6 Research Project Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
21st-Century Learner Standards
Standard 1: Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge
Standard 2: Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge
Standard 3: Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society
Standard 4: Pursue personal and aesthetic growth
Jansen, B. (n. d.). Big6 writing process organizer. Retrieved from
Explain lesson- Students conduct research project using the Big6 process and the Big6 Project organizer linked above. Explain how students use the Big6 process and how teacher, LMS, and support staff can all collaborate for this lesson. Teacher and LMS would plan unit/project together and each would teach parts. Support staff would assist as needed throughout the project.

11. Big6 in the classroom (cont.)
Civil War: A Study in Change
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
21st- Century Learner Standards
Standard 1: Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge
Standard 2: Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge
Standard 3: Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society
Standard 4: Pursue personal and aesthetic growth
Berkowitz, B. (n. d.). U.S. history, Civil War: A study in change. Retrieved from
Explain lesson, provide explanation of how lesson uses Big6 process. Explain how teachers, LMS, and support staff can all collaborate for this lesson. Teacher sets up lesson and LMS helps provide resources for students to use for research, and support staff will be utilized as needed.

12. Electronic Database Resources
Pathfinder for the Big6
Electronic Database Resources
Print Resources
Eisenberg, M. B. (2003). Technology for a purpose: Technology for information problem-solving with the Big6. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 47(1),
Eisenberg, a creator of The Big6, explains how the model helps students with learning technology skills and encourages collaboration.
Eisenberg, M., Murray, J., & Bartow, C. (2014). Big6 by the month: A common sense approach to effective use of common standards for information literacy learning. Library Media Connection, 32(6),
This article connects the Common Core Standards, 21st-Century Learner Standards, ISTE Standards, and Big6 Skills and provides an explanation of how the Big6 and Common Core can work together to benefit students.
Eisenberg, M. & Berkowitz, R. E. (2000). Teaching information and technology skills: The Big6 in secondary schools. Worthington, OH: Linworth Pub.
Eisenberg & Berkowitz book, available from the WKU Education Center (ZA3075 .E ), is a guide for using the Big6 process with secondary students.
Kuhlthau, C., Maniotes, L., and Caspari, A (2007). Guided inquiry: Learning in the 21st century. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
This book, available in the WKU Education Center (LB1060 .K ), provides an introduction to guided inquiry and why it is essential for 21st-century learners.

13. Pathfinder for the Big6 (cont.)
Search Engines
Information Inquiry Web Sites
Lincoln Tech. (2011, January 25). Big 6 research [video]. Retrieved from
Lincoln Tech has created a short comic-type video detailing a typical student interaction related to research. It highlights why students need to learn information literacy skills. Students often just want to use a computer to use it, but the Big6 can help provide guidance to the research process.
Online resources to support Big6 information skills. (2009, June). Retrieved from
This website contains resources for each step of the Big6 process including planning charts, brainstorming activities, note-taking methods, and many others. The resources are helpful for all grade levels.
What is the Big6. (2014). Retrieved from
This site provides an in-depth explanation of the Big6 model, sample lessons using the Big6 model, and many professional resources related to the Big6.
Project information literacy. (2014, October 10). Retrieved from
The Project Information Literacy webpage describes what PIL is and what it is seeking to do. The site provides research on information literacy in the early adult years (start of college) and provides a series called “Smart Talks” where leaders in the field of information literacy share information. This site is helpful for high school teachers to understand how important teaching information literacy really is to the success of students beyond high school.

14. What will the new trick, The Big6, do for you?
Encourage Collaboration
Teach students a process that they can use now and forever
Present a straight forward approach to information problem solving
Connect computer skills with information & technology skills
Require students to self-assess before submitting work
Provide a way for students to break assignments down into manageable parts and thus build confidence