Conducting Research for Papers or Projects

Students use technologies to do research for term papers, class projects, and personal exploration. The Internet has opened up new worlds of information for students about virtually every topic.

Select a question below to learn more about computers. Use the navigation to the left to learn about other technologies.

1. Do teachers require all students to use technologies to complete class assignments?
2. How do students use technologies for research?
3. What do students need to know to use technologies for research?
4. Are there especially good sources for student research?

What do students need to know to use technologies for research?

Students need to possess certain knowledge or skills if they are going to be successful in using technologies for research. This knowledge or skill may be called information literacy, information competence, or technology literacy. Here is what those words mean:

Information Literacy: The skills necessary to locate, access, and use information in today’s society.
http://www.usd.edu/library/information-literacy.cfm

What is Technological Literacy?
Technological Literacy is the ability to use, manage, understand, and assess technology.

There are several groups that have defined specific skills that persons should have to be information literate, and thus be able to do research using technologies.

International Technology Education Association (ITEA) http://www.iteaconnect.org/

North Dakota Standards and Benchmarks Library/Technology Literacy http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/standard/content/tech.pdf

International Society for Technology in Education National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)
http://cnets.iste.org/

return to top