FLIP It with Web 2.0 - Free Online Tools to Enhance the Student Research Process

Abstract

FLIP It! (TM) was developed by librarian and educator Alice H. Yucht as a set of reflective questions to guide learners throughout the information process. It serves as a clear and concise framework upon which to structure the basic student research task. The acronym FLIP it! stands for- F- FOCUS: Specifying the Topic L- LINK/LOCATE: Strategizing the Process I- INPUT/INVESTIGATE/IMPLEMENT: Sorting, Sifting, and Storing the Data P- PRODUCE/PRESENT/PAYOFF: Solving and Showing the Results IT! - the Intelligent Thinking Needed Every Step of the Way. More detailed information may be found on Alice Yucht's website at http://www.aliceinfo.org/flipit/ The four modules in this collection will lead students through this four-step process and introduce them to free online tools and services that can aid and enhance the research pursuits. These Web 2.0 advances give today's students new ways to formulate, organize, collaborate, attribute, preserve, and share their research. This is Part I - FOCUS Students will be introduced to several free online tools and services that can aid in the beginning stages of research projects - those tasks that FOCUS the project and aid in the formulation and growth of initial ideas such as brainstorming, collaborating with groups, topic and thesis statement formulation, scheduling, and outline preparation. Links are included to all websites and Flash demonstrations will lead students through possible uses of these tools. To complete the full collection of four modules, students should take the linked pre-test first (printable document),work sequentially through Parts I,II,III, and IV, do the suggested activities that accompany each part, and then complete the post-test (printable document).This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.