Berkowitz+and+Eisenberg

= Berkowitz and Eisenberg =

Mike Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz are the co-creators of a unique and detailed process geared towards helping students achieve more in school through information and literacy skills. On their [|website,] Eisenberg and Berkowitz define the "Big6 Approach to Information Problem Solving," (the term they've used to coin this process) as "an information and technology literacy model and curriculum, implemented in thousands of schools - K through higher education." The skills involved in the Big6 are meant to enable people of all ages, especially students, to be able to logically approach any problem, assignment, decision, or task in a calm and assertive manner. These six steps are meant to be used as a solid base or stepping stone for problem solving, and are as follows:
 * 1) Task Definition
 * 2) Information Seeking Strategies
 * 3) Location and access
 * 4) Use of Information
 * 5) Synthesis
 * 6) Evaluation

On their [|website,]Berkowitz and Eisenberg provide countless valuable resources for educators such as worksheets, graphic organizers, lesson plans, and handouts that enable teachers to both use and practice the Big6 approach in their classrooms. There is also a link to the [|Big6 Blog] listed on this page, where Eisenberg, Berkowitz, and other members of their staff keep readers updated on relevant news, practices, and ideas that have to do with this approach. = Meet the Creators =

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Together, the two of them have worked on a number of books, including: //Teaching Information & Technology Skills: The Big6 in Secondary Schools// (2000), //Teaching Information & Technology Skills: The Big6 in Elementary Schools// (1999) //Helping with Homework// (1996), //Information Problem-Solving: The Big Six Approach to Library & Information Skills Instruction// (1990),//Curriculum Initiative: An Agenda and Strategy for Library Media Programs// (1988), and //Resource Companion to Curriculum Initiative// (1988).
 * Robert E. Berkowitz has over 30 years of teaching experience and he has earned degrees from George Washington University, State University of New York at Albany, and North Adams State College. Currently he is a School Library Media Specialist with the Wayne Central School District in New York as well as an Adjunct Instructor at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and Consultant to Mansfield State University’s School Library & Information Technologies graduate program.
 * Mike Eisenberg is the founding dean of the Information School at the University of Washington and served as dean from 1998-2006. During his tenure, Eisenberg made vast improvements to the college and doubled enrollment in addition to adding an undergraduate degree in informatics, masters degrees in information management and library and information science, and a doctorate degree in information science.

Personally, I found this approach to very innovative and supportive of the educational needs of children. I feel that had I been taught this as a child, school might have been a little easier for me to complete and I might even be a more well rounded and organized adult because of it. Berkowitz and Eisenberg's website is packed full of information and resources and it would be impossible to go through it all in one day. I also found their blog to be very helpful as well, and will definitely have to keep the Big6 in mind once I begin my career. -Christie

It's great that educational leaders are focusing on critical thinking skills. How many students now give up almost immediately when forced to think through a problem. Having taught math for 6 years, I know how frustrating it is to have students give up when the answer requires multiple steps to solve. -Chris Gargasz

Remember you are supposed to use a research model when you write your issue paper for this class. Maybe you will want to try the Big Six! - Susan Berg

To me, the big six is similar to the scientific method. You have a set of steps that help the user stay organized and also inline with what should be taking place. I believe that students need to have a set of guidelines and "rules" to show how to solve a problem. A lot of times there are issues (school and personal) that require lots of critical thinking and organization in order to come to a conclusion or solution. The Big 6 seems to be a great resource for students of all ages. -Andy Luciano