Designing an Intervention Tool for Students with Students

Abstract

Purpose

The chapter describes a four-year research project, the objective of which was to design and develop an intervention tool to assist middle school students in their information seeking when engaged in an inquiry-based learning project.

Methodology/approach

Bonded design method was used to design a proof-of-concept (POC) low-tech Guide, and focus group and Informant Design methods were utilized to develop a Web Guide.

Findings

In creating an intervention tool, whether low-tech paper-based or high-tech websites, different methodologies that relied heavily on the participation of students in the design process were successfully utilized.

Practical implications

The research shows that participation of children and adolescents in designing the content of technology for educational use is imperative.

Originality/value

This is a long-term research project, which is unparalleled and unique in its scope, duration, breadth, and depth. Having access to the grade eight classes in a single school over a four-year period has proven to be a remarkable research opportunity, seldom reported in the literature.

Citation

Beheshti, J., AlGhamdi, M.J., Cole, C., Abuhimed, D. and Lamoureux, I. (2014), "Designing an Intervention Tool for Students with Students", New Directions in Children’s and Adolescents’ Information Behavior Research (Library and Information Science, Vol. 10), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 295-331. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1876-056220140000010050