Many students struggle at times with researching, finding valid sources (i.e. NOT Wikipedia) and referencing.
Yet one of the best resources for this very task is in schools and just waiting to help!
The problem is that few students even realise this ‘resource’ is there or on offer, and even fewer use them.
Here’s a message I got from a Y10 student back in the middle of Term 4.
She said:
“Hi Katie, I’m trying to do research for my science assignment and I’m really struggling to find good resources. I’ve found a bit of info about the different compounds in laundry detergents but it’s not very scientific and I can find hardly anything on the effects of how it pollutes the rivers and water. I’ve used Google Scholar like you said, but I’m not sure about how to find any journals like you suggested in school. Do you have any other advice?”
I replied to Eliza at the time and she took my advice, and I’m going to share with you in just a moment exactly what I told her to do.
Because she emailed me again a couple of weeks ago to tell me her assignment result and how happy she was with it… aaaannnd how brilliant that piece of advice was and how well it worked for her.
#happydance
So, this wasn’t something I specifically ended up helping her with – which is awesome news because that means ANY student can go do this 🙂
(And I know from experience that there are a lot of students out there who struggle with this, hence this blog video).
So, here’s the I advice I gave Eliza, and what any student can do to get extra help with their researching and referencing:
Go see the school’s Teacher-Librarian.
In my experience, they are one of the most under-used ‘resources’ (people!) in schools.
In most cases they are a qualified teacher and qualified librarian who therefore just loves helping students find info whilst also having a knowledge of how assignments and assessments work.
Perfect Combo!
*spreading fingers of both hands and inter-locking them together*
What’s more, because they work in the library, chances are they spend most of their time, with books and a lot of jobs that involve managing new orders, organising and admin.
Which is all good, but isn’t necessarily using all their skills and experience.
Which meeeeeans that when an actual real student – and a keen student at that – comes up to them asking for their expertise and assistance in the things they absolutely love to talk about and teach and work on, then chances are they’ll go all out to help them!
In fact – don’t tell them I said this and don’t get your hopes up too much, but I’ve even seen it happen where the teacher-librarian almost sits and does it all for the student, because they got so into it all. Not that that’s a totally perfect situation of course, but the student I saw this happen to, did thankfully sit and watch and listen avidly, following along with them so they could definitely do it themselves again next time.
But anyway, my point is, these staff are skilled in the exact thing students are struggling with and can’t wait to share everything and help those who ask for it.
So be sure to have your teen give this a go next time they have to research for an assignment or inquiry, and let me know how it goes when the time comes 🙂
Yours,
Katie
