Improving Students' Web Use

Developing a Concept Map/Mind Map
Students need to start with a main idea or topic question. This may be placed in the centre of a page in the style of a mind map. Sub-topics can be listed around the main topic with arrows, as students come across these through research. Links between sub-topics can also be shown using arrows.

Developing Questions for Web Searching
• Students can use a concept map to find the main ideas about a topic and develop research questions based on these.
• Students can look at their notes made in class to identify the main ideas about a topic, and develop a concise list with keywords for web searching.
• Students can identify a point of interest about a topic and develop a key research question to find information about it.
• Students may use Bloom’s Taxonomy as a framework for developing questions.

Search Strategies
• Students can use an information skills model to guide their search for information.
• Creating a concept map in groups on the topic of web searching skills is a worthwhile initial activity but may end up being a stand-alone task if students do not transfer the ideas developed to practical contexts.

Students as Critical Readers of Websites
• Students need to use a website evaluation criteria framework to evaluate websites to use for a specific purpose. Website evaluation criteria should include educational, reliability and technical aspects.
• Students need to question if information looks and sounds accurate, makes sense, and is supported by content found elsewhere.
• There are many different frameworks that students can use to make notes on specific topics for research in the library. These proformas can assist in guiding students with their task.
• Students need to declare their sources of information.

Students as Reflective Web Learners
Students should regularly reflect on how they have used web tools for their learning, questioning whether the resources found addressed the purpose of the task and were located in a timely way. Students should consider the implications for future web searches.