The Big6™ is a process model for information problem-solving. It integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and tasks.

The Big6 was developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz and is the most widely known and widely used approach to teaching information and technology skills in the world. It is used in thousands of K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and corporate and adult training programs and is applicable whenever people need and use information (source: http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big6%E2%84%A2-skills-overview/).

The Big6 model has been adopted at the Dubai Women's College and is part of the curriculum. Although students may find this page helpful, especially the table below, the reference materials are for educators.

Here is a summary of the information literacy experience using the Big6 model as a framework:

Summary of Information Literacy Experience
Big6 Tasks Questions to ask yourself Feelings Experienced
STEP 1:Task Definition
  1. Define the problem

  2. Identify the information need
  • What does my teacher expect me to do?
  • Do I understand what I need to do?
  • What are the questions I need to answer?
  • What do I need to know about the topic?
  • Fear
  • Horror
  • Doubt
STEP 2:Information Seeking strategies
  1. Identify all resources

  2. Select the best resources
  • Where can you start to look for information?
  • Who can I talk too to get information?
  • What are the best sources to use?
  • Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Excitement  and hope
STEP 3:Location and Access
  1. Locate resources

  2. Find information in resources
  • Where can I find these resources?
  • How do I search to get to them?
  • Where do I find the information in the resource?
  • Confusion 
  • Doubt
  • Threat
STEP 4:Use of information
  1. Read, view information - decide which parts you want to use (and leave out)
  • What type of information did I find?
  • Will the information answer the questions I have?
  • How do I write notes on the information?
  • Is the information reliable?
  • Optimism
  • Believe in abilities
STEP 5:Synthesis (Putting Puzzle together)
  1. Organize resources

  2. Present the information
  • How do I fit all the information together?
  • How do I write an outline of the project?
  • How do I present the information to my teacher to answer the question?
  • Did I remember to make notes of all the sources for the  bibliography?
  • Realize what work needs to be done
  • Confidence in ability to do the task
  • Increased interest
STEP 6:Evaluation
  1. Judge the product

  2. Judge the process
  • Did I solve the problem?
  • Did I write the project in a format that will be understood?
  • Will I do anything different the next time?
  • What did I learn?
  • Am I pleased with the project?
  • Sense of Relief
  • Sometimes Satisfaction
  • Sometimes Dissapointment
Sources used: http://library.humboldt.edu/~ccm/fingertips/kuhlthau.html and http://www.big6.com/files/Big6Handouts.pdf. Summary created by Caretha Nel, Dubai Women's College

Reference Documents - Step 1

Item Description Author File
Step 1 - Task Definition This is the first of a series on the Big6™, the most widely used approach to information problem-solving in the world. Students go through the Big6 stages—consciously or not—when they seek or apply information to solve a problem or make a decision. Michael B. Eisenberg is dean of the Information School of the University of Washington. He and his co-author Bob Berkowitz, created the Big6™ approach to information problem-solving
Step 1 - Motivating Task Designing a good task is the key to a successful information search and assignment. Teachers who design meaningful and developmentally appropriate tasks will motivate their students to engage in the content. Designing a good task is a multi-step process for the teacher and students. Barbara Jansen, library media specialist and technology coordinator at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Upper School in Austin, Texas.
Step 1 - Thesis Statement Using the Big6™ to Write a Thesis Statement for High School English and History Students Rob Darrow is currently a library media specialist on special assignment and online learning specialist with the Clovis (California) Unified School District.

Articles © Linworth Publishing, Inc

Reference Documents - Step 2

Item Description Author File
Step 2 - Information Seeking Strategies This is the second of a series on the Big6™, the most widely used approach to information problem-solving in the world. Students go through the Big6 stages—consciously or not—when they seek or apply information to solve a problem or make a decision. Michael B. Eisenberg, co-author of the Big6™ approach to information problem-solving
Step 2 - Internet Evaluation I Found It on the Internet, So It Must Be True: Guiding Students to Reputable Resources Barbara Jansen
Step 2 - Search Engines Finding the Right Search Engine for: Information Seeking Strategies and the LMC Connection Rob Darrow

Articles © Linworth Publishing, Inc

Reference Documents - Step 3

Item Description Author File
Step 3 - Location and Access Treasure Hunting This is the third of a series on the Big6™. This article includes a brief overview of this Big6 stage by Rob Darrow, followed by articles by two exemplary Big6 teachers, Barbara Jansen and Rob Darrow, offering practical uses of the Big6 in elementary and secondary situations, respectively Rob Darrow
Step 3 - Relieving Confusion Relieving the Confusion: Location and Access Made (Relatively) Easy Barbara Jansen
Step 3 - Expert interview Locate and Access the Right Expert to Interview Rob Darrow

Articles © Linworth Publishing, Inc

Reference Documents - Step 4

Item Description Author File
Step 4 - Use of Information This is the fourth of a series on the Big6™. This article includes a brief overview of this Big6 stage, Use of Information, by Mike Eisenberg, one of the creators of the Big6. Michael B. Eisenberg, co-author of the Big6™ approach to information problem-solving
Step 4 - Note Taking Copying from the Encyclopedia? No Way! Helping Learners Make Sense of Sources Barbara Jansen
Step 4 - Use of Information (LMC) The Cornell Note Taking Method, a note taking methods that works well for learners from seventh grade through adults. Rob Darrow

Articles © Linworth Publishing, Inc

Reference Documents - Step 5

Item Description Author File
Step 5 - Synthesis This is the fifth of a series on the Big6™. Synthesis is the most visible part of the information problem-solving process. It’s the end result, the outcome, the conclusion Michael B. Eisenberg, co-author of the Big6™ approach to information problem-solving
Step 5 - Synthesis 2 Meaningful Products: Making the Whole Greater Than the Sum of the Parts Barbara Jansen

Articles © Linworth Publishing, Inc

Reference Documents - Step 6

Item Description Author File
Step 6 - Evaluation This is the last of a series on the Big6™. Evaluation is the culmination of the Big6 information problem-solving process. Michael B. Eisenberg, co-author of the Big6™ approach to information problem-solving
Step 6 - Evaluation, The Forgotten Stage It is easy to overlook the final stage of the Big6™ process—Evaluation. Students complete the information search, give presentations, and turn in projects and papers, and teachers record grades. Now it’s time for the next topic. Wait! Stop! Barbara Jansen
Step 6 - Evaluating Evaluating . . . Anything and Everything! The final stage of the Big6 is Evaluation—judging the product and the process. Rob Darrow

Articles © Linworth Publishing, Inc

Other References

Item Description Author File
Big6 Handout A 4-page summary and overview of the Big6 process model. Also includes the Super3, a modified Big6 focused mainly towards young learners Handout created by: Barbara J. Shoemaker, School Media Specialist, Mill Road Elementary, K-2 Red Hook Central School District, Red Hook, NY
Big6 Best Practises A 2-page summary on how to best implement and use Big6. Dubai Women's College Library Team (Alicia Salaz, Karla Kastle)
Assignment Ideas A 2-page summary on how to guide and evaluate students through the Big6 process during an assignment Dubai Women's College Library Team (Alicia Salaz, Karla Kastle)
DWC Library Services A 4-page summary on the services offered by the Dubai Women's College Library in support of the Big6 process Dubai Women's College Library Team (Alicia Salaz, Karla Kastle)