Pathways to Knowledge Model

Reviewed by Shannon Sisco

I.                    Developer

a.      The Pathways to Knowledge was developed by Marjorie L. Pappas and Ann E. Tepe.

II.                  Definition

a.      The Pathway to Knowledge presents the information search process in a holistic way. 

b.      Questioning and authentic learning is of high importance in this model of information literacy.

c.      There is an emphasis on the nonlinear path that most individuals take to meet their informational needs or to solve their information problems.

III.                Component Parts

a.      Appreciation and Enjoyment Stage—you are encouraged to enjoy and respond to your experiences.

b.      Presearch Stage—this is where you begin a project and make connections to it with what you already know.

c.      Search Stage—this is where you plan and start your work.

d.      Interpretation Stage—once you have information, you have to decide what is useful to your project.

e.      Communication Stage—at this point you organize, explain, and share your knowledge that you have learned.

f.        Evaluation Stage—you are graded by yourself or your peers to help you do better on your next project.

IV.               Advantages and Disadvantages

a.      Advantages

                                                              i.      Students are actively constructing knowledge as they seek out answers to questions.

                                                            ii.      Pathways to Knowledge encourage students to think and question as they follow the process.

                                                          iii.      Students can reflect and evaluate the information.

                                                           iv.      There is a website for Pathways to Knowledge that details each stage and to help the student better understand each stage.

                                                             v.      You may not follow every step or do them the same order.

                                                           vi.      This model includes a variety of strategies that students can use as the search for answers proceed.

b.      Disadvantages

                                                              i.      This model could be overwhelming to some students.

                                                            ii.      Students might see the model as too detailed and may not be willing to put a lot of effort into the research process.

V.                 Implications for the Library Media Center

a.      Pathways to Knowledge can be used to help students solve problems in life and not just with academics.  There is a lot of focus on evaluation and appreciation, which is what we all need to do in life.

b.      The LMS could teach this model with academics that could in turn promote reading for pleasure on topics that interest the students.

c.      The classroom teacher and the library media specialist can work together to create opportunities for students to use Pathways to Knowledge.

d.      This model would be great for very structured student, because it is process that can be followed.  Having a process to follow might make writing papers and doing research projects easier for these students.

VI.               Websites relating to Pathways of Knowledge

a.      http://www.sparkfactor.com/clients/follett/home.html

b.      http://laurabaas.com/information-literacy/information-literacy-models/pathways-to-knowledge/

c.      http://virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/pathways.htm

d.      http://www.iasl-online.org/pubs/reviews/review161.html

e.      http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/slmrb/slmrcontents/volume11/newell.cfm