Higher-order Information-process Skills

A well-conceived model of information-processing skills is suggested by the Maine Educational Media Association Ad Hoc Committee on Information Skills created for K-12 students in Maine. They describe the research process in 13 steps:

Pre-Search

  1. Formulate the central question.
  2. Relate question to prior knowledge.
  3. Indentify key words and names.
  4. Integrate concepts and state in own words.
  5. Develop questions to organize the search.
  6. (When needed) re-explore general resources.

The Search

  1. Locate resources of information.
  2. Search for relevant information.

Interpretation

  1. Select for relevant information.
  2. Interpret, infer, analyze and paraphrase.

Application

  1. Organize information for applications.
  2. Apply information for intended purpose.

Appreciation (ongoing)

  1. Value and enjoy information in various formats.
Why not try out this model of higher-order information-processing skills when you organize your search on the Internet and let us know how you feel about it? We are happy to share our experience with you. You can find our email addresses in the "front page" of this site.

Source of information:

(Conant, A., Carr,B., Garthwaite,A., Gregory,D., Lord,L., & Allison,S. (1990). Information Skills Guide for Maine Educators. ME: Maine State Library Media Services, pp.20-17.)

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