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Finding your way through a maze
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In this category students see information searching as the
process, or the planning, of a search. They still focus on the
topic, but there is a strong emphasis appearing on the choice of terms
and synonyms. Database choice is also important, as is retrieving
results into a useable format for later work. The haystack has been
replaced by the image of a maze. A maze has both structure and a way
out! That is, there is a feeling that if they persist through all the
dead ends they find, eventually they will find the way out of the maze
and achieve the required results.
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Structure of Awareness:
With both the topic and the search process in focus, an
interest and awareness of the structure of the information environment
begins to appear. Along with this growing awareness, there is also an
awareness of what the tool will allow them to do.
Int 1:3 (p.4) …I try and find a search
engine that has an advanced search option and do it that way and
specify whereabouts I want the web site to be.
In this category the students begin to use advanced search
features, and talk about some aspects of the quality of the information
found, and about likely information sources for different topics.
Information quality does not appear to be a major focus yet in their
searching technique, but they are aware of its importance.
Int 1:5 (p.1) Because (Yahoo) is
just one of those sites that actually gives you a lot of information. I
tried a few like Askjeeves and all that. Askjeeves is
more theoretical. That’s what I’ve realised. It is more theoretical. It
gives you more stuff on what is global positioning system and
something, but not really much on distributors. Yahoo is very
distributor oriented ...
In general, students in this category are more attuned with
the different tools available but still talk about them
interchangeably.
Approach to Learning:
Again the IT confidence is at a medium level in this stage. They are
comfortable with IT, but not overly confident. They are comfortable
enough searching for online resources, and, with a growing awareness of
the structure of the information environment, they have begun to plan
their searches and show some signs of reflection, changing terms
searched on the basis of previous results. In this stage there is often
talk of an early “quick and dirty” search used to enlighten them about
the topic terms, and then refine their search based on a preliminary
result.
Search Outcomes:
In this category students are more likely to persist, consider
alternatives, and persevere to find results. However, again there is
still a tendency to blame the tool rather than question their own
abilities.
Please Note: This material is Copyright to the author and the publishers. Extract Source: Edwards,
Sylvia L. (2006) Panning for gold: understanding students information searching experiences. In Transforming IT Education: Promoting a Culture of
Excellence. Brisbane: Faculty of Information, QUT.
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