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= Research for the Digital Generation =

Free Tools to Help Students with the Research/Problem-Solving Process
**Michelle Miller** **Instructional Technology/Library Coordinator** **Virginia Beach Schools** **mimiller@vbschools.com**

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[|Big 6 Problem Solving Process]


1.1 Define the information problem 1.2 Identify information needed in order to complete the task (to solve the information problem)
 * 1. Task Definition **

//** Brainstorming/Mapping Tools: **// MindMeister
 * requires email address to register
 * free version allows for 3 mind maps
 * no minimum age requirements
 * free version does have advertisements
 * can add attachment, links, notes, tasks
 * can share and export (including exporting to an outline format)
 * Help Menu provides a complete tutorial

2.1 Determine the range of possible sources (brainstorm) 2.2 Evaluate the different possible sources to determine priorities (select the best sources)
 * 2. Information Seeking Strategies **

FindItVa (i.e., General Reference Center Gold, eLibrary)
 * requires a public library card
 * eLibrary allows students to save lists, make timelines, make slideshows, and save notes

3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)  3.2 Find information within sources //** Searching Tools: **// Google Alerts Google Custom Search Ask.com (also have kids version: []) Quintura (also have a kids version: [])
 * 3. Location and Access **
 * can send alerts to email or RSS feed in Google Reader
 * creates HTML code that you can embed on a wiki, blog, or website
 * provides search suggestions, subtopics, questions
 * visual search engine

4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch) the information in a source  4.2 Extract relevant information from a source //** Notetaking Tools: **// Evernote similar to Microsoft Office OneNote NoteStar digital notecards
 * 4. Use of Information **
 * help can be found at []
 * teachers set up classes allowing students to work together
 * teachers can monitor progress and email (internal to NoteStar) students

Diigo Additional Diigo Info bookmarking, notetaking, knowledge sharing
 * requires email address
 * Help Menu provides step-by-step help
 * provides for free educator account allowing for creation of classes

//** Citation Tools: **// EasyBib BibMe NoodleTools

Links to Other Citation Tools: @http://digitalresearchtools.pbworks.com/Citation-Management-Tools

//** Aggregators (organize information sources): **// GoogleReader

//** File Sharing Tools: **// Dropbox drop.io

5.1 Organize information from multiple sources  5.2 Present the information
 * 5. Synthesis **

There are many free tools that allow students to create a product in order to demonstrate knowledge and mastery. Here is a short list of some of the most popular ones. For a longer lost, please see the links below.
 * Glogster/Eduglogster--interactive poster creator
 * Prezi--presentation software
 * Google Docs--Office collaboration suite
 * Zoho Suite--Office collaboration suite
 * Blogger--blogging tool
 * Edublogs--blogging tool
 * Wikispaces--wiki tool
 * Jing--screen capture/casting took
 * VoiceThread--create collaborative multimedia slideshow
 * Audacity--sound editor and recorder
 * Wallwisher--online noticeboard
 * Animoto--video creator from images
 * PBworks--wiki tool
 * Screenr--screencasting tool
 * Screentoaster--screencasting tool
 * xtranormal--create short 3D animated movies from text-based scripts
 * Voki--create talking, personalized avatars
 * Toondoo--create comic strips
 * Photostory--create movies with narration from images
 * Wetpaint--wiki tool
 * Weebly--website/blog creator

Other Synthesis Tools: Top 100 Tools for Learning 2010 List Digital Research Tools Wiki

6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)  6.2 Judge the information problem-solving process (efficiency) Survey Monkey
 * 6. Evaluation **