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Information Processing Models Essay

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One of the AASL’s standards for 21st century learners is [they will] “inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge” and “follow an inquiry- based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make the real-world connection for using this process in [his/her] own life.” (ALA, 2007, p. 4)
Three research process models that help students make independent choices, ask questions, find resources, and discover information are the Big6™, Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process, and I-Search. This paper will compare and contrast these models and discuss their use in teaching students to research on their own.

Big6™

The first process considered is the Big6™. Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, two information literacy educators, …show more content…

and extracting relevant information. Synthesis takes into account organizing from multiple sources and presenting the information. Finally, Evaluation entails judging the product for effectiveness and judging the process for efficiency. (Wurster, 2011)
Librarians, teachers, and students can all benefit from the Big6™ process as it helps to identify goals, hunt for, use and collect information and then reflect on that information with the presentation of the information. Teachers and librarians benefit because they can use it at any grade level, with any subject, with any state or national standards, and it complements any curriculum. Students benefit because the Big6™ assures they understand the assignment, complete the project, assignment, or activity, and discuss the process. In addition, students can know if they missed a step of the process, self-asses their work, recognize reliable information, cite sources, divide an assignment into easily managed parts, and feel confident in their work. (Wurster, 2011)
Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process (ISP)
A very well known research process is Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process (ISP). Kuhlthau uses six stages to present the user’s physical, mental, and social view of information seeking. The stages are 1) task initiation, 2) selection, 3) exploration, 4) focus formulation, 5) collection, and 6) presentation.
During the initiation stage, the student becomes

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