Design Cycle/Big 6 Research

Compare the Design Cycle to the Big6
 
 
Big6 Research Process
Step 1: TASK DEFINITION
Questions to guide you
Resources and strategiesto help you
  • What is my task?
  • What is the problem I need to solve, or question I need to answer?
  • What do I already know about my question or problem.
  • What do I need to know to solve the problem or answer the question?
  • Graphic organizers - topic triangle, KWL chart
  • What types of information do I need? facts, opinions, pictures, primary sources?
  • Brainstorming
 
Step 2: INFORMATION-SEEKING STRATEGIES
Questions to guide you
Resources and strategies to help you
  • What are all the possible sources for finding this information?
  • Graphic organizer - brainstorming
  • Information pathfinders
  • posters in library
  • keywords
  • Whichof the possible sources are best for me to use?
  • Index and table of contents
  • Web site evaluation form
 
Step 3: LOCATION and ACCESS
Questions to guide you
Resources and strategies to help you
  • Where will I find these sources?
  • Who can help me find the sources?
  • classroom
  • school library
  • public library
  • community
  • Internet
  • What do I need to use to access this information?
  • Library Online Catalog (OPAC)
  • Internet Browser
  • Telephone or other equipment
 
Step 4: USE of INFORMATION
Questions to guide you
Resources and strategies to help you
  • How will I record the information that I find? (take notes? draw pictures? use an audio or video recorder?)
  • graphic organizers
  • trash and treasure
  • Notebook or note cards
  • What information in each source is useful.
  • How will I give credit to my sources? (bibliography? notes at end of presentation?)
  • "Keeping Track of Sources" sheet
  • "Citing Sources" on Library Webpage
  • Writer"s Express page
 
Step 5: SYNTHESIS
Questions to guide you
Resources and strategies to help you
  • How can I organize the information?
  • Graphic organizers
  • Outling skills
  • Inspiration software
  • How can I present the results?
  • Who is my audience? 
  • What product or performance should I use? (written report, multimedia presentation, art project?)
  • Student Product Possibilities
  • Multimedia equipment
 
Step 6: EVALUATION
Questions to guide you
Resources and strategies to help you
  • Did I complete the task?
  • Did I do my best work?
  • Was the process efficient & effective?
  • Rubric
 
Big6™ Skills Approach was developed by Eisenberg and Berkowitz. The phrases "Big6 Skills" and "Big6 Skills Curriculum" are all copyrights of Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz.