Information Search Skills Research Articles

Training students to solve ill-structured problems in an online learning environment

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach in which students learn about subject content matter in the context of solving a variety of different types of problems. David Jonassen in his design theory examines a typology of different kinds of problems that range from being well-structured to ill-structured. In this paper, we look at a research study on how students can be trained in the skills of digital information search literacy to be able to successfully solve ill-structured problems. Ill-structured problems are complex, multi-faceted and require deeper cognitive processing skills to be deconstructed and tackled. Given the pervasiveness of the internet in schools as a repository of easily accessible electronic information, a training intervention framework based upon inquiry-oriented digital information search skills was proposed and evaluated in this study to inform educators on methodically training their students to become effective ill-structured problem solvers.

Acquisition of learning outcomes by students from the Medical School of the University of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain): A student survey

Background: In 2001, in order to improve the curriculum, the medical school of the University of Barcelona began discussions aimed at defining specific learning outcomes for its medical graduates and, subsequently, evaluating the acquisition of these competencies.Aim: To report the views of our medical students regarding the extent to which they have acquired the learning outcomes previously defined by the faculty.Method: A questionnaire was administered to seventy final year students, who had finished all the course clerkships and they were asked to indicate on a Likert scale their perceived level of acquisition of each learning outcome.Results: Overall, the students report an adequate level of competency and consider themselves able to meet skills targets under supervision in eight of the eleven domains investigated. In three of the domains (patient management, medical information search skills, and decision-making skills and clinical reasoning and judgment) students regarded themselves as only partially competent. These results agree with the global course score of the students, according to the medical school assessment system.Conclusions: The results will allow us to make curricular and methodological changes in order to implement a new outcome-based curriculum.

Integrating the humanities in the education of health professionals: implications for search and retrieval of information

This article examines the increasing use of the humanities in the education of health professionals and posits that the approach may be of use in teaching health professionals information search and retrieval skills. However little evidence exists to support the educational effectiveness of using the humanities. This lack of evidence raises concerns about the costs of financing this approach to learning. These costs include the issue of copyright which cannot be ignored. While the humanities might provide a more attractive approach to teaching information search and retrieval skills, further research is needed to justify the costs of this approach to learning in more general terms and urgent attention to

The role of electronic reserves in serving and shaping new teaching and learning environments in UK universities

Most UK academic libraries are currently facing increasing demands for scarce resources - often over relatively short timescales. This has arisen from the twin pressures of a growing and changing student population and the introduction of new pedagogic trends. The implementation of electronic reserves, such as the ResIDe Electronic Reserve at the University of the West of England, Bristol, addresses this issue. Electronic reserves, however, are much more than efficient library tools; managed effectively, they are able to support a range of teaching and learning styles. ResIDe staff are now examining a much wider and more important role of shaping and supporting more imaginative and innovative teaching and learning initiatives. Working together, librarians and lecturers from the Bristol Business School have developed a new module based upon ResIDe support. Harnessing the technological advantages of an electronic reserve, the module has been designed to develop students’ information technology, presentational, bibliographical, search and evaluation skills, as well as improving and reinforcing their understanding of, and critical approach to, their specialist subject.

Productive small groups in medical studies: training for cooperative learning

SUMMARY A self-help group approach was used to enhance medical students' cooperative skills within an elective course. The task profile envisaged included team building, cooperative information search and problem-solving skills, and providing and receiving constructive feedback. Learning partnerships were supported and facilitated by discussion and training exercises in small groups without direct teacher tutoring. Self-assessment of task profile and peer assessment of group behaviours were obtained. The results showed acceptable levels of self-efficacy regarding team tasks as well as consistent peer assessment of students' group skills for the majority of the participants. Subsequent cognitive achievement (GPA) was significantly higher for students who participated in the elective experience in comparison with controls. There was also a very significant difference in the proportion of participants selected for a preceptorship in the introductory clinical course. The findings suggest that training for productive cooperative learning is meaningful and useful for students in a realistic setting of medical studies.

Using Computer Networks (Intranet and Internet) to Enhance Your Students' Marketing Skills

Marketing educators are encouraged to consider using computer networks (intranet and Internet) to enhance their students' communication, decision-making, and information search and retrieval skills. This article explores ways that intranets and the Internet can be used interactively to accomplish these goals and discusses the benefits and drawbacks to computer network assignments.