PRESS RELEASE
February 1, 2000
EISENBERG AND BERKOWITZ LAUNCH NEW BIG6™ eNEWSLETTER:

Popular, High-Tech Newsletter Advocates Fundamental Information and Technology Skills

Rochester, NY and Seattle, WA—Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz announced today the initial release of the new Big6™ eNewsletter published at (http://www.big6.com/enewsletter). This new quarterly electronic publication, a unique contribution to efforts to teach essential information and technology skills, is now freely available on the Internet to scholars and educators around the globe.
Big6™ Articles from Around the World
Contributing authors to the premier online issue include teachers and library media specialists from Canada, Japan, England, Germany, and Israel. One author explains how he helps middle school students polish their research skills for a science field trip to a tropical volcanic island in the Sea of Japan. Another author tells how she convinced teachers and students to apply the Big6™ model in her London secondary school.

Authors explain how they present the Big6™ Skills model to prepare students to solve information problems. Using the Big6™, students learn to accurately identify problems, seek and locate information resources, select information, organize and report their findings, and evaluate their final work. E-Newsletter articles have interactive links to many Big6™ lessons and materials used in actual classrooms. Also found in this issue are translations of the Big6™ Skills into six different languages.
Big6™ Readers React— eHotline
The Big6™ eNewsletter encourages readers to expand upon ideas in current articles by e-mailing their comments to a moderated feedback e-hotline. “We are trying to combine the best of a print newsletter and the web—high quality content and interactive media,” according to Mike Eisenberg. “The result—our eNewsletter! Readers can interact by emailing to eNewsletter@Big6.com. After review, reader’s comments will be posted and the “live” interaction is anticipated to promote a lively exchange of ideas on specific Big6™ topics.”

Big6™ Partnerships with Information Industry Leaders
The Big6™ eNewsletter is generously supported by new Big6™ information industry partners:

· NewsBank (http://www.newsbank.com)
· Encyclopaedia Britannica (http://www.britannica.com)
· COMPanion Corporation (http://www.companioncorp.com)
· Linworth Publishing, Inc. (http://www.linworth.com)

Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz recently formed strategic alliances with these information resources, publishing, and software partners to promote student learning in innovative ways. Each company plans to use the Big6™ model to improve their products and services and to be a part of Big6™ learning.

“This is win-win situation—especially for students and educators,” notes Bob Berkowitz. “Students and teachers will see the Big6™ in high quality information products and services as these innovative information companies become more actively involved in helping students to learn key Big6™ information and technology skills. Additionally, Mike and I are able to offer the Big6™ eNewsletter free to library media specialists, classroom teachers, administrators, other educators, and parents.”

Eisenberg and Berkowitz are actively seeking a limited number of additional information industry partners. For more information, pleaseemail to info@Big6.com
The Big6™
Developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, the Big6™ is the most widely known and widely used approach to teaching information and technology skills in the world. Used in thousands of K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and corporate and adult training programs, the Big6™ information problem-solving model is applicable whenever people need and use information. The Big6™ integrates information search and use skills along with technology tools in a systematic process to find, use, apply, and evaluate information for specific needs and tasks.
Biographies
Mike Eisenberg is director of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Washington, Seattle. He conducts research, writes, consults, and lectures frequently on information problem-solving, information technology, the Internet, and information management in learning and teaching. Eisenberg was formerly director of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology, which is part of the Information Institute of Syracuse and affiliated with Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies. Eisenberg is co-founder of the award-winning AskERIC question answering service for educators.

Bob Berkowitz is the library media specialist at Wayne Central High School, Ontario Center, NY. Bob has successfully managed school libraries for Head Start-12th grade in both rural and urban settings. An education professional since 1971, Bob is a strong believer in curriculum-centered library media programs. He promotes the integration of information literacy skills across the entire curriculum. He consults with state education departments, school districts and local schools. Bob also shares his ideas at state, regional, and local conferences and seminars. Bob is an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and has taught at other institutions of higher education.
For more information
email: info@Big6.com
phone: (206) 533-1600
or visit the Big6 website: http://www.Big6.com.

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