Focus+on+Inquiry+-+Retrieval+Phase

=Key Learning 1 Understand that successful retrieving depends on preplanning=

Skills Needed:

 * Critical and imaginative thinking
 * Organizational thinking

Instructional Supports:

 * Organizers and checklists to assist with information retrieval such as a checklist of potential resources to investigate, an organizer to help think about search terms, synonyms and subject headings
 * A journal or “Think to Ink” book to record ideas, questions, resources and reflections
 * A portfolio to hold the various papers that will accumulate

=Key Learning 2 Develop an effective search strategy - keywords, Boolean searching, subject searching, synonyms, narrowing/broadening the topic, subject directories=

Skills Needed:

 * Ability to refine and develop a list of search terms, keywords, synonyms and subject headings prior to searching
 * Ability to narrow or broaden the topic
 * An understanding of how subject directories and search engines work

Instructional Supports:

 * Model the thinking and a search of keywords, subjects and synonyms, how to conduct a Boolean search, narrow/broaden a topic and use subject directories.
 * Provide an organizer to keep track of generated search terms etc.

=Key Learning 3 Understand the organization of libraries=

Skills Needed:

 * Using the online catalogues of the school and public libraries

Instructional Supports:

 * Teach how to access materials in the online catalogue and how to locate materials in the library.
 * Online tutorials showing how to use the online catalogue and how to locate information in the library.

=Key Learning 4 Create a working bibliography=

Skills Needed:

 * Use of the online library catalogue
 * Locating print resources and information within those resources
 * Use of full-text databases and indexes
 * How to conduct efficient internet searches
 * How to preview and bookmark appropriate web sites
 * Locating bibliographic data

Instructional supports:

 * Instruction and practice in each of the above
 * Bibliographic record page. This might include a digital version that they could access when working online and a paper version for times when they are not able to access a computer.
 * Modeling of and support in creating an information pathfinder.

=Key Learning 5 Understand different sources provide different information=

Skills Needed:

 * Critical reading skills - skimming and scanning
 * Critical thinking skills - comparing and contrasting
 * Evaluating sources for currency, coverage, objectivity, accuracy and authority
 * Understanding the difference between pertinent and relevant information
 * Interviewing skills and protocols

Instructional Supports:

 * Explicit instruction, modeling and practice in each of the above

=Key Learning 6 Evaluate search strategies and offer suggestions for improvement next time=

Skills Needed:
Understanding that inquiry is a process and to be able to reflect on the process and articulate what went well and what needs improving.

Instructional Supports:
Encouragement and opportunities to reflect on the process and to discuss the experience with others.

=Key Learning 7 Determine if the topic needs to be modified=

Skills Needed:

 * Understand that the inquiry process is recursive and that through their exploration, their ideas and thoughts about their topic may change. They may find that they need to continue in their original direction but they also may find that they need to change.

Instructional Supports:

 * Opportunities to refelct, write and talk about what they have discovered.

=Key Learning 8 Acknowledge the feelings that occur in this phase=

Skills Needed:
Understanding that the retrieval phase may elicit feelings of anxiety, being overwhelmed, uncertainty, confusion, frustration and doubt.

Instructional Supports:
Opportunities to reflect, write and talk about their feelings with others.