1. Intersections: The Research Process in Project Based Learning
Pete McDonnell
Presentation to Ex Ed 644 class
November 12, 2007

2. Background Excited by Project Based Learning!
Interest in Information Literacy
Personal Experience
Witnessed Project Presentation

3. Driving Questions
How are information sources (including libraries) used in Project Based Learning?
Are library research methods “taught” in project based schools? How is it assessed?
What do educators at these schools say about library research and the project method?
Possibilities for collaboration

4. Dewey Says… Why the Project Based method?
“Subject matter never can be got into the child from without. Learning is active. It involves reaching out of the mind” (p. 471, The Philosophy of John Dewey)
Opportunities for relevance, engagement, and collaboration

5. What is Project Based Learning?
Students create (individually or in groups) projects or products built around a personally meaningful theme, build basic skills, and learn subject content.
Authentic, engaged inquiry
Student-centered
Teacher becomes an advisor/facilitator
Meets mandated standards

6. Library Research in Traditional Education
Library Media Centers (K-12)
Library Media Specialist
Books, periodicals, and computers
A spectrum of librarian roles:
Organizer and locator of information (simple)
Advisor or tutor (more complex)
Counselor (most complex)

7. Information Literacy
A set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” (ALA web site:

8. Information Literacy
Learners construct meaning through experience (Constructivism)
Learners seek information and incorporate into their knowledge base (Dewey’s Pattern of Inquiry)
Learning theory and information theory are closely aligned

9. The Pattern of Inquiry Perplexity; problem needs to be defined
Hypothesize
Gather data, observe, remember past experience; make a plan
Experiment and test
Reflect and repeat the process

10. How does Project Based method compare with Information Literacy
Recognizes need for info/Formulates question (Inquiry)
Develops strategies for locating info (Planning)
Determines accuracy and relevance
Selects information appropriate to the problem at hand

11. American Association of School Librarians “Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning”(from Information Power)
Integrates new information into one’s knowledge base
Pursues information related to personal interests (Relevance)
Assesses the quality of personal information seeking (Reflection)
Revises, improves, updates knowledge (Reflection)

12. Intersections—Info Lit and Project based Learning
Rubrics for Accessing and Selecting Information
Project Resources Form
Books and other library resources
Organizations and Community groups (could include libraries)
Internet Resources
Avalon Charter School
Project Rubric and proposal forms include research criteria

13. Intersections
“Students without experience in projects will need training in research methods” (p. 8, Project Based Learning Handbook)
Collaboration is a key recommendation of Information Power/AASL Standards
Collaboration between librarians and teachers supports authentic learning within the curriculum, and beyond into lifelong learning

14. Intersections
“The Never-Ending Story: Questioning Strategies for the Information Age” (Cathleen Galas)
Engagement and Relevance in science projects
Teacher models good researching behavior and connects students with resources at the point of need
Research is continually folded into the inquiry process
Libraries not specifically mentioned as collaborators; Use of Internet resources is highlighted

15. Intersections
“Be True to Your School: Real-life Learning through the Library Media Center” (Gail Bush)
Emphasizes teacher/library collaboration
Teacher and librarian become “facilitators and coaches who no longer have all the answers but guide students in the pursuit of information”
Connecting to external resources/experts
Field trips to local libraries

16. Intersections: Teacher Interviews
Four questions about:
Library collections and services
Instruction in use of information sources
Use of external library/info resources
Collaborations between libraries and schools

17. Teacher Interviews Common themes Small library/media collections
Strong Internet/technology base
Orientation to library research: “Project class”
Advisors guide students through research
Use of public libraries
Collaboration is welcomed
Avoid Wikipedia!

18. Teacher Interviews Differences Rubrics to assess quality of research
Subscription databases/resources for student projects

19. What I learned from the Project
Project Based Learning methods and Information Literacy have common roots
Use of computers, digital media, and electronic information is a key component of Project Based Learning today
Collaboration is good!

20. What worked and what didn’t
Noticed my own research process throughout the project (Pattern of Inquiry again!)
Perspective of practicing teachers was very helpful
Look more closely at the similarities between learning theory and information theory
Could have focused more on how students use and evaluate Web sources in their projects

21. Future Directions
Growth area: not much yet written on collaborations between librarians and teachers using the Project Based Learning method
Potential for collaborations between high schools and college and university libraries (breadth and depth of collections)