In this lesson, students create their own podcasts on a topic of their choice. Using book clubs that feature titles with diverse characters, settings, and social issues as a platform, students choose a social issue of personal interest and create a podcast based on the research of that topic. The lesson plan below is for the research component of the project.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURE

Day 1: Introduction to Databases and Advanced Searching

Begin by asking students how and where they find answers to their research questions.

Introduce the database and have students explore the different features including advanced search, filters such as news source, source type, lexile if applicable, and permalinks.

Model how to use their identified keywords into the search bar and utilize filters to narrow results.

Give students time to locate 1–3 articles in the database on their topic.

Students will copy permalinks for each article on their Finding Great Sources! 2023 Podcasting Edition, Student Handout (Step 2).

Day 2: Open Web Searching and Source Credibility using the E.V.A.L. Method

Students will share one skill they learned about using a database from the first day. This could be bell work and done digitally, paper/pencil, or orally.

Ask students how searching a database can be different from searching on the open web (i.e. Google or Sweet Search).

Introduce the E.V.A.L. method for analyzing sources, and provide an EdPuzzle video overview.

Model using keywords in an open web search and introduce the E.V.A.L. worksheet to students.

• Start with Google and explain how to identify an ad from a website.
• Demonstrate how to narrow results by using better search techniques (https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/how-to-google-like-a-pro-10-tips-for-effective-googling/).

Introduce students to the Sweet Search Engine (https://sweetsearch.com/) to cut down on ads and extraneous results. Go deeper by talking about the algorithms of search engines and how they may affect the results that come back.

Give students time to locate 1–2 sources on their topic and continue to collect notes on the Finding Great Sources! 2023 Podcasting Edition, Student Handout (Step 3).

Day 3 (if needed): Small Group/One to One Spotchecking and Begin Notetaking

Have students turn and talk about one source they found and explain how/why it is credible and reliable using language from E.V.A.L.

Call on a few volunteers to share out verbally and have all students share their response in some way such as a digital or physical notecard, so that the librarian/teacher can view to see who needs more guidance.

For more on this activity, see Steven Tetreault's editorial and the accompanying episode of the SLC Podcast, "One Lesson at a Time," where Melissa Thom shares with us the process of bringing this lesson to students.