Building Learning Communities

Research skills can be found all over the standards - core content, technology, library, college and career readiness - but there is great variation on how they are taught in the classroom. In this age of information overload, student who are effective researchers are much more likely to make informed decisions, pursue their own interests, use study time efficiently, and be prepared for life after K-12.

Unfortunately, research is often misunderstood as googling information without validation, stating facts with no analysis, and plagiarizing without realizing it. As a result, students have difficulty formulating queries, knowing where to find what type of information, and making sense of information to generate new knowledge. So many missed opportunities for students to create content and own the knowledge!

Statewide digital resource programs such as TexQuest (texquest.net) provide access to a wealth of authoritative resources through user-friendly and age appropriate interfaces. This session will focus on strategies to increase awareness, use and integration of online databases; address the needs of young and mature learners; and boost critical thinking and creativity.