WHY THE BIG6 AND SUPER3?
We all suffer from information overload. There’s just too much “stuff” out there, and it’s not easy to keep up. At the same time, there’s an irony—yes, we are surrounded by information, but we can never seem to find what we want, when we want it, and in a form we want it so that we can use it effectively.
One solution to the information problem is to speed things up. We try to pack in more and more content, to work faster to get more done. But, this is a losing proposition. Speeding things up can only work for so long. Instead, we need to think about working smarter, not faster. There is an alternative to speeding things up. This solution builds skills and understandings so we can find, process, and use information effectively. This smarter solution focuses on process as well as content. Some people call this smarter solution information literacy or information skills instruction. We call it the Super3 and the Big6.
We all suffer from information overload. There’s just too much “stuff” out there, and it’s not easy to keep up. At the same time, there’s an irony—yes, we are surrounded by information, but we can never seem to find what we want, when we want it, and in a form we want it so that we can use it effectively.
One solution to the information problem is to speed things up. We try to pack in more and more content, to work faster to get more done. But, this is a losing proposition. Speeding things up can only work for so long. Instead, we need to think about working smarter, not faster. There is an alternative to speeding things up. This solution builds skills and understandings so we can find, process, and use information effectively. This smarter solution focuses on process as well as content. Some people call this smarter solution information literacy or information skills instruction. We call it the Super3 and the Big6.
WHAT IS THE SUPER3?
The Super3 contains the same basic elements as the Big6 but is written for students under the college age to better understand.
1. PLAN (BEGINNING) When students get an assignment or a task, BEFORE they start doing anything, they should think:
Big6 Steps:
The Super3 contains the same basic elements as the Big6 but is written for students under the college age to better understand.
1. PLAN (BEGINNING) When students get an assignment or a task, BEFORE they start doing anything, they should think:
- What am I supposed to do?
- What will it look like if I do a really good job?
- What do I need to find out to do the job?
- Task Definition
- Information Seeking Strategies
Big6 Steps:
- Location and Access
- Use of Information
- Synthesis
- Did I do what I was supposed to do?
- Do I feel ok about this?
- Should I do something else before I turn it in?
- Evaluation