Information Literacy and "Zoom-In Inquiry"

"Information Literacy is the ability to structure a search across a variety of sources and formats to locate the best information to meet a particular need." (Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning, American Library Association and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, 1998)

In the "Zoom-In Inquiry" Model Activity, students:

  • Examine a primary source carefully for clues that connect to prior knowledge and background.
  • Create a hypothesis that is supported with evidence from the primary source.
  • Test hypothesis and understanding of the subject understudy with other primary sources.
  • Evaluate the primary source’s usefulness to the topic understudy.