This module includes a 5-part tutorial designed to teach students effective Internet search techniques. Students conduct a search for information using Internet search engines and must evaluate and critique the information found.
Type of Material:
Self-paced tutorial
Technical Requirements:
None
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The learning goals of the module are to: teach methods for ensuring that information is reliable, relevant, timely, and accurate; help students gain an understanding of Internet sorting techniques; instruct on the effective use of search engines to find specific information; provide practice using internet search tools; and provide knowledge of internet sources of tax information.
Target Student Population:
Anyone doing tax research ? primarily students in a tax research class. Also beneficial to academicians.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some basic knowledge of tax fundamentals. Basic internet skills. Experience or interest in research.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This is a well-organized presentation of fundamentals of research, internet searching, tax sources and the integration of these fundamentals. After an overview of the learning objectives and core concepts, the student is led through an actual application of skills learned. The technique is quite effective.
Concerns:
The module relies upon many links to information source websites. Thus, it will require adequate checks to be sure links remain valid.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The module takes the student through information search from start to finish and requires that they check multiple sources/sites for information. Learning objectives are clearly laid out and should be achieved if the student intuitively progresses through the module. It is interactive and comprehensive. It provides for the application of skills learned and is a fairly concise presentation of a variety of concepts.
Concerns:
The module is somewhat time consuming to complete. Additionally, adequate feedback on students? submitted research worksheet is necessary to reinforce learning. The module would benefit from a quiz to review and evaluate knowledge attained. (Such a quiz is promised at the end of the module to be forthcoming.)
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The module intuitively leads students through the information search process and is easy to use. It can be somewhat bland, but it is a well-organized guide through the learning experience.
Concerns:
The module would benefit from some visually appealing components (e.g., increased use of images) to engage the student in the learning experience. The module might be more engaging if the authors made the research question more exciting. For example, students could be instructed to take a side in the controversy over internet taxes and search for information to support their stance.
Creative Commons:
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