BUBBL.us….the neat brainstorming tool!

space travel: a keyword brainstorming chart

I have been looking for tools that would easily help students brainstorm key words and ideas as they begin their research (though their is no quick-fix, easy way to do this!). I work with undergraduates, and have had success using tools like WORDLE and other tagging tools to “teach” research. As instructors, we know a huge obstacle is conveying the importance of experimentation and creativity with keywords in order to help students (re)shape their inquiries. Students will often do one–maybe two searches–and then give up after locating little useful information. Add to that the constraints of time, bad traditions, and curricular limitations and no one librarian gets much more than 50 to 75 minutes with a group of students. Were we given more time, and were we stronger collaborators with other teachers, we would be able to spend an entire 50 minute session on KEY WORD activities.

A worthwhile keyword searching activity utilizing BUBBL.US might look like this:

1. Students get into groups or work individually
2. Students brainstorm key words that represent each concept within their research inquiries
3. Students use tools like Bubble.us to create a word web or map for their topics
4. Students test key words in catalogs and search interfaces
5. Students adjust their webs to include key words and subject headings found during the 50 minute session
6. Students re-test their searches with newfound terminology
7. Students record the results of their findings and document their most effective search strategies

**A completed key word brainstorm chart may look like THIS

At the end of this type of class, students would have a solid understanding of how to be creative, patient, and inquisitive when doing research. If more instructors and librarians would be open to spending time in the classroom this way–instead of repeating the old worthless demo–students would be well equipped to tackle research. Boolean operators, truncation–basically all of the “skill sets” that dominate information literacy sessions–would come later. Those are little details–things that students can learn after they have hands-on experience with articulating an inquiry, locating precise language, testing search terminology, and re-evaluating their initial inquiries. “Big Picture” instruction is something we can and should be pushing for; but it’s certainly difficult to break bad habits.

Keyword tools: not just a profit venture

The concept of “maximizing profits” is so embedded in our American culture that even “research” is code for “business.”

That said, I’ve been playing around a lot with how I can relate online key-word tools to research for Undergraduates. Not surprisingly, a Google search for key words and tools brings back some interesting results–most of which are geared toward users maximizing their profits (by zeroing in on the most popular keyword and phrase searches used in search engines). One particular tool, Wordtracker, similar to Google’s Adwords, defines itself as a “leading-edge research tool.” Well, that sure sounds like music to my librarian ears.

Of course, “research,”  in this context, does not refer to scholarship or discovering the deepest possible meaning on a subject because it’s more about how you can use the tool as a strategy to enhance your marketing prowess and make The Money. Like D.H. Lawrence, I’d like to kill money as well, but I need it. Damn.

The good news? Librarians can totally use this tool in the classroom and integrate it into a keyword searching and discovery activity. I try to emphasize in various ways the importance of key words–particularly the importance of being able to find and use database-supplied keywords. This task is extremely tricky. Getting students to experiment with different word combos, explore, and have FUN, is also tricky. But using a tool like wordtracker, not as it’s intended but rather as a tool for beginning scholarly research, could at least help students make the transition between familiar search engines and library interfaces.

who knows? i’ll keep you posted on how this works or fails….