21^st Century Information Literacy Skills Activity

Introduction

Peggy wants to purchase a Nikon 80D camera body to go with her current SLR camera lenses. The local camera store doesn’t sell the Nikon camera bodies because they can’t compete with the big box stores. The big box stores only sell the camera kits that come with a lens that Peggy doesn’t need. The only place to purchase the camera body alone is online.

Task

Help Peggy determine what company she should use to purchase the Nikon 80D camera body. She wants to purchase a new camera (not used or remanufactured) and it must have the following supplied accessories: EN-EL3e Rechargeable
Li-ion Battery, MH-18a Quick Charger, EG-D2Audio Video Cable, UC-E4 USB Cable, Strap, Body cap, DK-5Eyepiece Cap, DK-21 Rubber Eyecup, BM-7 LCD monitor cover, Accessory shoe cover, Picture Project CD-ROM. The camera body retails for $999.95.

Process

You will all go to the same cost comparison site called ShopCart USA to compare prices, read reviews. Your job is to find Peggy a new camera that is in stock and she will be guaranteed to receive within the next 10 days so she can take it on vacation with her. The camera must have all the supplied accessories listed above.

Evaluation

What criteria did you use to determine what company should be used and what companies should be avoided? How did you get the best price from a reputable company that will meet the delivery deadlines?

Conclusion

Our students will need to survive in an online global purchasing market. We must teach them the skills to problem solve and determine reputable companies from scam artists. We must teach them how to go beyond the first web site that Google retrieves and look further into company backgrounds to be sure to get the best value for their dollar.