The Google Bucket

It's A Bucket!

Summary

The Google Bucket activity is a dynamic group activity designed to make students think critically about the content available through Google and how it compares to content available through a range of library databases.

Time Required

This activity will take approximately 15 minutes.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to articulate the type of content available freely through Google.
Students will be able to articulate the type of content available through library databases.
Students will be able to choose the correct research tool (database or search engine) for their information need.

Materials Needed

One five-gallon bucket labeled "Google" containing a variety of laminated screenshots from publicly accessible Internet sites including:
- A Wikipedia article on binge drinking;
- A paywalled academic article on college drinking habits;
- A blog post about drinking laws;
- A watermarked, low resolution image of Manet's Un bar aux Folies Bergere;
- A photo of Lindsay Lohan;
- A car;
- The giant "Porn" card.
One two-gallon or similar sized bucket labeled "Academic OneFile" containing:
- The full-text of an academic article (preferably the same one as paywalled in the Google bucket);
- A newspaper article;
- A magazine article.
One large coffee-style can labeled "PsycInfo" containing:
- The full-text of an article on the psychology of alcohol abuse;
- Several other articles as needed.
One large coffee-style can labeled "LexisNexis" containing:
- The full-text of the state statute regarding the drinking age;
- A company profile of Budweiser;
- A newspaper article about binge drinking;
- Other stuff as needed.
One small can labeled "ArtStor" containing:
- A high resolution, un-watermarked image of Manet's Un bar aux Folies Bergere;
- Other images as needed.

Instructions

Students are divided into five equal groups.
Buckets/cans are distributed and each group is given a few minutes to examine the contents of their buckets. Make sure the Google bucket is in the center of the room.
The library instructor "trades positions" with the students and asks for their help doing research for a paper on binge-drinking. Begin by asking the Google bucket group for a scholarly article on binge drinking.
After discussing the article, ask the entire class for help finding a non-paywalled scholarly article on binge-drinking. The PsycInfo group should have it.
Continue following script for each additional bucket/can. See full script below.