Ian McCrackenIan McCracken

Founder MemberFounder Member

http://www.therightinformation.org/

(Information Skills for a 21(Information Skills for a 21stst Century ScotlandCentury Scotland

Skills and assumptionsSkills and assumptions

Teacher’s Question – “What weapons were used in the Spanish Civil War?”

Pupil’s Answer ( copied from Yahoo Answers)“Muskets, swords and the good old bayonet”

“We will not be adding the guidance on enquiry skills [as] there’s a lot out there and we’d expect teachers to provide the support required”

Quote from Social Subjects Advisor in Glasgow when concerns expressed about the Challenge pack

Edward Jenner – mass murderer!Edward Jenner – mass murderer!(courtesy of Springwell School, Middlesex)(courtesy of Springwell School, Middlesex)

https://www.makewav.es/story/35968/title/edwardjenner

“Just Google it”

What do all these examples have What do all these examples have in common?in common?

Assumptions!Assumptions!

What’s “assumed”- 1What’s “assumed”- 1

- That pupils have developed searching - That pupils have developed searching skills (Whose job was/is it to teach them?)skills (Whose job was/is it to teach them?)

- That pupils know what keywords are and - That pupils know what keywords are and how to use them (“Isn’t it just easier to copy how to use them (“Isn’t it just easier to copy & paste a question into Google?”)& paste a question into Google?”)

- That pupils know how to use a search - That pupils know how to use a search engine (who taught them-and how?)engine (who taught them-and how?)

What’s assumed-2What’s assumed-2

Accessibility of informationAccessibility of information- Will the answer leap out at a pupil?- Will the answer leap out at a pupil?

- If pupils have just “Googled” the question, will - If pupils have just “Googled” the question, will they know the RIGHT answer if they find it?they know the RIGHT answer if they find it?

Recently, Glasgow City Chambers showed a Recently, Glasgow City Chambers showed a presentation from a Glasgow School as an example for presentation from a Glasgow School as an example for other schools wanting to commemorate the First World other schools wanting to commemorate the First World War-War-

Recent evidenceRecent evidence

Last year, a school librarian (Kateri Wilson) Last year, a school librarian (Kateri Wilson) in West Lothian conducted a whole school in West Lothian conducted a whole school survey-as far as I can establish-the first of survey-as far as I can establish-the first of its kind anywhere in Scotlandits kind anywhere in Scotland

907 Pupils Responded907 Pupils Responded

“What concerns me is that the same skills are needed to book flights or buy clothes as to research academic papers. There are assumptions made about the ability of pupils to use the internet ”

(Part of Kateri’s analysis of the results)

Supporting evidence from an Supporting evidence from an international science website international science website

evaluation:evaluation:

In 2010, an International Consortium of In 2010, an International Consortium of scientific and educational organisations scientific and educational organisations conducted a major survey of professionals conducted a major survey of professionals and young people throughout Europe and young people throughout Europe entitled “Yosciweb: young people and entitled “Yosciweb: young people and images of science on websitesimages of science on websites

What’s “assumed”-3What’s “assumed”-3 - That pupils will be able to transfer skills - That pupils will be able to transfer skills (but Outcomes and Experiences make that very challenging) (but Outcomes and Experiences make that very challenging)

- That pupils know how to make (or take*) - That pupils know how to make (or take*) notes notes -That pupils will take the time to check that -That pupils will take the time to check that

they’ve found the right answer – and not just they’ve found the right answer – and not just copy and paste-incipient plagiarism, perhaps?copy and paste-incipient plagiarism, perhaps?

*A clear distinction between making & taking notes is evident in the *A clear distinction between making & taking notes is evident in the Scottish CfE, with “taking” seen as more active and thus desirableScottish CfE, with “taking” seen as more active and thus desirable

Some further points to considerSome further points to consider

Pupils’ measure of success may be how quickly Pupils’ measure of success may be how quickly they found ANY answer or how much they found they found ANY answer or how much they found –– NOT whether it actually answers the questionNOT whether it actually answers the question

Often marks are not even considered for how well Often marks are not even considered for how well the pupil went about the search process, or how the pupil went about the search process, or how “original” the answer may be -just how many “original” the answer may be -just how many pages long it is: so pages long it is: so there is no there is no opportunity or incentive to learn opportunity or incentive to learn good search skillsgood search skills

What can you do?What can you do?

– Use every opportunity to ensure your Use every opportunity to ensure your employees/students/pupils have the necessary employees/students/pupils have the necessary skills (these issues don’t just affect schools or skills (these issues don’t just affect schools or universities !)universities !)

– Encourage reflection and evaluation and Encourage reflection and evaluation and highlight good practicehighlight good practice

– Point out implications and connectionsPoint out implications and connections– Become more aware of the work being done by Become more aware of the work being done by

“The Right Information” Organisation-which “The Right Information” Organisation-which John is just going to tell you all about!John is just going to tell you all about!

Thank you for listeningThank you for listening

Any questions?Any questions?

Please contact me if you want to ask me Please contact me if you want to ask me more, or if I can help at allmore, or if I can help at all

IMcCracken@govanhigh.glasgow.sch.uk