Course Plan: Research Skills Using Google
Introduction
Welcome to the "Research Skills Using Google" course! Designed for fifth graders, this course aims to equip students with essential research skills that will enhance their ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. In an age of digital information, knowing how to navigate resources like Google is critical for academic success and lifelong learning. Through engaging lessons and activities, students will learn how to articulate their research questions, search effectively, and critically assess the information they find.
Course Goals
- Develop the ability to formulate clear and focused research questions.
- Learn how to use Google Search to find relevant information.
- Understand the importance of evaluating the reliability of sources.
- Gain skills in synthesizing information and presenting findings.
Lesson Overview
Lesson 1: Introduction to Research
- Objective: Understand what research is and why it is important.
- Activities:
- Discuss what research means to students.
- Brainstorm topics students are interested in researching.
- Introduce the concept of research questions.
Lesson 2: Crafting Research Questions
- Objective: Learn how to develop specific and focused research questions.
- Activities:
- Teach the difference between open-ended and closed questions.
- Work in pairs to create research questions from general topics.
- Share and refine questions as a class.
Lesson 3: Introduction to Google Search
- Objective: Familiarize students with Google and its search features.
- Activities:
- Provide a tutorial on accessing Google search.
- Explore search terminology (keywords, phrases, etc.).
- Conduct a group activity using Google Search to find information on a given topic.
Lesson 4: Using Search Operators
- Objective: Learn advanced Google search operators to refine searches.
- Activities:
- Introduce operators like quotation marks, the minus sign, and site-specific searches.
- Hands-on practice with example queries.
- Homework: Use operators to find specific information on a topic of choice.
Lesson 5: Evaluating Sources
- Objective: Understand how to evaluate the credibility of information sources.
- Activities:
- Discuss criteria for evaluating reliability (CRAAP: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose).
- Analyze different sources found online and determine their credibility.
- Group discussion on reliable vs. unreliable sources.
Lesson 6: Synthesizing Information
- Objective: Learn how to summarize and synthesize information from different sources.
- Activities:
- Introduce note-taking strategies and summarization techniques.
- Practice synthesizing information from two or three sources on a chosen topic.
- Create a mind map to outline synthesized information.
Lesson 7: Writing a Research Report
- Objective: Develop skills to write a clear and organized research report.
- Activities:
- Teach structure of a research report (introduction, body, conclusion).
- Discuss using citations and giving credit to sources.
- Begin drafting a research report based on students’ synthesized information.
Lesson 8: Presenting Research Findings
- Objective: Learn how to effectively present research findings to others.
- Activities:
- Introduce presentation skills, including organization, visuals, and speaking tips.
- Students present their research reports to the class.
- Reflect on the course and discuss next steps for future research opportunities.
Assessment and Evaluation
Students will be assessed based on their participation in class activities, the quality of their research questions, synthesized information, written report, and presentation skills. A rubric will be provided to clarify expectations.
By the end of this course, students will not only feel confident in using Google for research but will also possess skills that will assist them in their academic journey and beyond. Happy researching!