"Imagine Your Perfect Source": Strategies for Cultivating Expert Researchers

Why do some people just seem to be naturals at finding information when they need it? Many expert searchers describe "imagining their perfect source" as a key step prior to searching. While some people develop this strategy intuitively—often without even being aware that they are doing it—there is no reason not to cultivate the necessary skills for research success in all our students.

Come and learn the basics of imagining sources for yourself, and explore ways to teach our students how to start thinking like expert researchers. In this webinar, Tasha Bergson-Michelson, Instructional and Programming Librarian at Castilleja School in Palo Alto, CA, explores what it means to "imagine a source," undertake some basic practice imagining, and learn how to build queries targeting predicted characteristics of a source. Also, learn specific activities that help students flex their predictive imaginations, and look at some examples of student work.

This recorded session is geared towards librarians and educators working in grade 6-12, but grade 3–5 professionals who ask students to find information independently will also benefit.