Webbing

Webbing (Searching) directs students to locate, search for, and connect ideas and information.  One piece of information may lead to new questions and areas of interest. Students select those resources that are relevant and organize them into meaningful clusters.

            I am putting metaphorical webs in the forms of sticky notes all over my computer screen as I search in all different mediums for information about my topic.

I literally submerged myself in information in the process of seeking information on all aspects of environmentally friendly products or should I say “green products” which I discovered in my searching is the more appropriate terminology used in the mainstream.

I was definitely in Carol Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process model’s third stage of exploration.  I was exploring “… information with the intent of finding a focus.” (Caspari, Kuhlthau  & Maniotes, p. 18).  I started the journey of becoming “… informed about the general topic..” by contacting my neighborhood library. (18) Well, I used my local library’s online database to find books.  I put in the search words “household cleaning” and I found 6 books available within that location. Well, I called the reference desk librarian to have them be put on reserve and she asked me if I was going to school for a health degree.   I laughed and replied,  “ I am getting a Library Science degree.”  She replied, “Oh”.  Then she proceeded to tell me about the courtesy hold which doesn’t charge a fee to the patron to hold items.  She was able to locate four out of the six books.   They are as follows:  Green Cleaning for Dummies by Elizabeth B. Goldsmith, Household Cleaning: Self-Sufficiency by Rachelle Strauss, The Complete Idiots' Guide to Green Cleaning 2nd Edition by Mary Findley, and Helpful household hints by June King.

I put the information obtained from the books on sticky notes to help me identify “…ways to focus it…” in the ISPs exploration stage. (Caspari, Kuhlthau & Maniotes, p. 18) 

            Next, I called my mother in law, Kathy and told her about my project and asked about the book she had previously mentioned to me.  She told me she would send me some information about it in the mail.  Well, I was surprised to receive a note accompanied by a book.  It was called, Household Cleaning: Self-Sufficiency by Rachelle Strauss.  I included a copy of her note to me with her permission.

Dearest Lisa, here is my ‘bible’ for green cleaning in the house.  You can keep this book.  I bought it for you.  If you just use vinegar and baking soda, you can have a clean and healthy green house for you, Roland and the kids.  I have been using it for years with success.  Also remember how you asked about why I keep the windows open a lot and rarely run the air conditioner.  It is to circulate the air in the house.  If you have any other questions, please give me a call.  In the meantime, kiss my babies for me and tell my son I said hello.  Love you all, Kathy

            Then I went on the internet using Google and Yahoo and found a vast wealth of useful information on the topic because the subject matter is so prevalent in the 21^st century.  I used the following words - “nontoxic products”, environmentally friendly household products”, “green cleaning products”, recipes for creating environmentally friendly products for the home”.    Well, I found videos ranging from explaining the dangers of toxic cleaners; making your own cleaning products; and health issues related to household cleaners in the home. In regards to making the household cleaners, I kept hearing vinegar and baking soda as the two main ingredients.  These two ingredients were in some of the books I read as well.  I have been looking at some forums on the tree huggers website also. 

            I was concerned as I looking over all of the information about my topic that I would have to deal with a lot of inaccurate and non-verifiable information.  According to Kuhlthau’s   ISP model, “Sources are often inconsistent and are incompatible with a student’s preconceived notions about the topic.” (Caspari, Kuhlthau, & Maniotes, p. 18).   I have definitely been experiencing this in the exploration stage.  For instance, I have found a great deal of information on the issue of air quality within the home environment.  The percentage of the air quality has been discussed to be from 5 times worse up to 1000 times worse. 

            I have questions that I need to address prior to moving on to the next stage of the ISP which are the following: 1. Should I include the air pollution information in whatever presentation form I am going to use for this assignment.  2. How can I include some of the videos in my blog? 3. How many recipes should I try?  4. Should I include the health benefits of using environmentally friendly products?  5. How far should I go in this project…?  6.  The statistics, should I include? Also reading all of this 'green' information has just confirmed my desire and ultimate goals to become vegan and live a good quality life without harming the environment.  I want to be a good example for my children so that they will be responsible and environmentally aware citizens.

I know once I finished writing this blog entry, I will have more questions to ask.  Once I starting moving around my sticky notes into different groups, I believe I will become more focused and ready to move to the next step… In the meantime, I am trying not to become frustrated or discouraged in this exploration (searching) stage but it is easier said than done (at times).