Project Overview | Context | GRI Tool | Objectives | Research | Sample GRI
Conceptual Underpinning
The Document-based Question (DBQ) format was created in 1973 to emphasize critical analysis of primary source materials rather than mere memorization of History texts. The developers of this pilot project envision a renewed opportunity for the DBQ in the digital and online environment.
The DBQ format:
- requires document analysis with reference to a given question or prompt
- emulates historiography (knowledge synthesized from evidence).
- uses primary sources OR primary and secondary sources.
- typically mixes textual and visual documents
This project borrows from the DBQ Concept.
The GRI Tool is a Web sandbox for supporting:
- Course learning objectives (SLOs)
- Archives and Information Competancy (SLOs)
- Sythesized knowledge and crital thinking
- Integrated multiple discovery platforms and tutorials to use them
- Multiple learning modalities
- Non-linear research emulation
- Exploration of semantic Web potential for SLOs (uses the Scalar application)
Preparing and completing the GRI assignment
See our Sample GRI Assignment for reference.
- PROMPTS. Instructors write and submit a prompt (or mini assignment) to the Special Collections and Archives Librarian. Alternatively, the promt may be written AFTER the selection of documents, if preferred. Prompt should support critical analysis through open-ended questions that engage students to critically consider and interpret the meaning of the selected document(s) as it applies to the prompt and their own argument. For more on document-based questioning, see Bibliography.
- CONTENT SELECTION. With the assistance of the Special Collections and Archives Librarian, instructors will select one or more primary source documents for the assignment. Documents can be a mixture of formats including photographs, correspondence, legal documents, videos, diary entries, manuscripts, or newspaper articles etc. These may be selected from: Special Collections and Archives, the library's Digital collections, databases, or any other publicly available online primary source repository. If a selected document is not already digitized (i.e. chosen from Special Collections and Archives or the instructor’s personal collections) it will be digitized for the assignment.
- GRI ASSEMBLY: Digital Services Librarian assembles prompt and primary source document(s) into the GRI assignment template for the course, combining them with sections devoted to information tutorials and information discovery systems.
- PRE-QUIZ. Prior to the distribution of the GRI assignment, students will be given a link via Moodle to complete a brief, anonymous pre-quiz to measure existing knowledge of archives and information competency.
- DISTRIBUTION. The Digital Services Librarian sends a link to the instructor to post to the course Moodle Site, with a due date for completion.
- POST-QUIZ. Students will be directed to a brief, anonymous online quiz identical to the pre-quiz to measure acquired knowledge of archives and information competency.
- GRI ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION. Students will turn in their assignments in a manner of the instructor’s choosing.
Guided Resources Inquiry Tool - Concept Model, Prototype and Process
The images below describe the conceptual model and demonstrate our current GRI prototype. The collaborative process flow illustrates how faculty may collaborate with us to achieve a merged set of Student Learning Outcomes for both course objectives and Archives and Information Competency.