NewsBank’s Collaboration Corner
Published for Big6.com (NewsBank is an exclusive Big6 Partner)
Effective Librarian-Teacher Collaboration
Suggestions from Sarah Debbs, Librarian, Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Flossmoor, Illinois
Big6TM Skills and NewsBank - A Perfect Combination
"The use of the Big6 TM feature to brainstorm ideas for student projects is great. The student can move from the selection of a topic to NewsBank’s School Library Collection and find information from the most current sources. It can be a ‘one stop shop’ for gathering information."
In our library we teach critical thinking skills through the research process. NewsBank’s Big6 TM is a great format for students to type their responses to questions key to effective library research. I particularly like the Topic Chooser section. It pulls the students into really thinking about their topic, especially when they have to recall what they already know about a topic and what they need to know about the topic.
I find NewsBank’s new subject-oriented interface easy to use for both students and teachers. It can be an effective way for students to narrow their research topic as they browse subtopics under the general topics. We direct students to this feature when they talk in terms of general topics for research.
"Some other practical suggestions for effective collaboration.
*It is helpful when teachers share their lesson plans or activities with the librarian so that resources can be identified and made available to ensure that the students have a positive research experience.
*NewsBank’s daily headlines with activity plans provide straightforward and manageable tasks for students. They can be adapted to most social science activities.
*NewsBank’s Hot Topics generate good discussions on current issues. I forward these to the appropriate subject areas."