Collaboration in the elementary setting while introducing the Big6 research process and a pathfinder

The purpose of this study is to investigate three topics: the effect of collaboration between classroom instructor and the media specialist, the use of a specific research method (the Big6), along with the use of a pathfinder for upper-elementary students as they complete a research project. I was interested to learn if collaboration between the classroom instructor and the media specialist is effective and what types of stumbling blocks prevent collaboration. Additionally I wanted to see if the Big6 research method would be effective with upper elementary students in encouraging them to be more effective researchers. Finally I wanted to know if the use of a pathfinder would help the students' progress as they researched a particular topic. In order to answer these questions I interviewed the classroom instructor before and after the collaborative research project. I also surveyed the students upon completion of the research project to see how they felt about this process. The classroom instructor enjoyed collaborating with the media specialist but both of the instructors felt they needed more time to adequately prepare for collaborative units. The classroom instructor and the SLMS found this to be a positive experience and plan to repeat it. This should encourage other teachers to collaborate with the SLMS and use the Big6 research process. The effectiveness of the pathfinder in this project was limited and more work will need to be done with it in the future.