Week 10B: Writing and citing

It just so happens that while I am working on my Lit Review I am also having my students complete a writing assignment that spirals citation skills.  I am explaining to students the why and what to cite but also the how to cite all of which can be challenging for 9th grade students.  Though they have been exposed to these skills before many are still very confused and frustrated by this type of academic writing.  When I even mention citing, bibliography, in-text citations I get a universal "awwww" from all my students.  

I recently learned of a few products that might make this process easier for students.  These include Zotero, Goodreader, and Mendeley all software programs that help researchers read and keep track of their resources (especially digital ones). Mendeley even inserts in text citations.  Several bibliography generators also exist making the bibliography part of the process easier as well.   Students need to proceed with caution however because these products are not fool proof.  Students still must have an understanding of the why and what to cite in order to best wield these resources for the "how" to cite aspect of writing.