Annotated Bibliography (ENGLISH First year level)

ENGL 1101: Introduction to University Writing 1

TRU Open Learning

Annotated Bibliography (Sample Answers)

Introduction

• Introduce the general topic that you have been researching. • Explain your specific research question, emphasizing the scope or specific

issue of focus.

• Explain the various kinds of information you will need to find in your research so that you can answer the research question. List some specific questions that you will use to guide your research.

This bibliography addresses the general topic of digital literacy and education. Researchers in the fields of education and technology are interested in the skills needed for the future, but significant debate exists about what those skills might be and why they are important. Therefore, this research is focused on the specific question of what skills will be essential in the 21st century to ensure we can access information and communicate effectively. This research was guided by the following questions:

1. How do we define digital technology? What are some examples? 2. How does it affect our access to information? Is there debate about this? 3. How does digital technology affect the way we communicate? Is there

debate about this?

4. What are the essential 21st century skills needed to ensure we can succeed in a world shaped by digital technology? Is there debate about this?

5. Do different fields of study have different views about what skills are necessary?

6. What skills will be necessary to ensure we can manage all the information that we have access to as a result of digital technology?

7. What skills will be necessary to ensure we can communicate effectively using digital technology?

Citations

Use proper APA citation with correct formatting.

Regan, B. (2008). Why we need to teach 21st century skills—And how to do it. Internet@Schools, 15(4), 10-13.

2 Annotated Bibliography (Sample Answers)

TRU Open Learning

Annotation

Write a 250- to 300-word paragraph that includes:

• Summary—What is the main argument or conclusion? • Relevance/authority—Does the source have the credibility necessary to

contribute meaningfully to the topic? How?

• Position—What particular position does the source take towards the topic? How does it compare to other sources being looked at?

• Usefulness—How will this source be useful in answering your research question?

The article explores how “21st century skills” such as media literacy, problem- solving, and collaborative ability are new tools to meet long-held progressive views of education that emphasize “learning while doing.” The article, published in the journal Internet@Schools, provides authoritative and practical information aimed at educators. It refers to previous research and is engaged in debate relevant to the fields of teaching and media studies. A quick skim over this article for key words and ideas reveals its relevance. The article summarizes and justifies an emphasis on 21st century skills as a focus for approaches to teaching, taking the position that attention to such values as media literacy, problem-solving, and collaborative skills are consistent with the long-standing goals of education in the United States. The 21st century skills identified in this article overlap with the information from the Henry Jenkins article “Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture.” This provides us with at least two articles that are engaged in conversation about the same issues and questions. Both articles provide examples of the skills we need in the 21st century to be good communicators.