Why+Information+Literacy?

= Why focus on Information Literacy? =

Education has always been about providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to become active citizens in the world beyond school. However, it is also widely acknowledged that students do not stop learning when they finish school. Thus, the role of educators is also to assist students to become lifelong learners.

Traditionally, teachers were seen as storehouses of knowledge; over time, they would transmit this information to students, who would be periodically tested to determine whether successful transmission had occurred. Students’ learning was measured on their ability to remember and reproduce information.

More recent educational approaches focused on helping students to achieve understanding of a subject or concept. Students demonstrated their learning by applying the knowledge or concept in new or different contexts. However, the teacher position was still privileged; the knowledge scales firmly tipped in the teacher’s favour.

The skills and knowledge needed for active citizenship have changed dramatically with the advent of technology (Anderson-Inman, 2009). The emergence of Web 2.0, in particular has shifted the balance of power in the knowledge stakes. Teachers are no longer the sole custodians of knowledge – instead they are joint stewards with their students; learning together and collaboratively building knowledge.

21st Century learners have access to more information than at any other time in history, but arguably, the role of the teacher has never been more important.

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With such a vast array of multimedia-rich information available, where do students begin? How do they know what they need to find? How do they decide what is important? What do they do with the information when they do find it? And finally, how does it help them to prepare for the challenges of the ‘real world’?

Who do you believe is responsible for teaching Information Literacy? How do you teach information literacy skills at your school? Does any member of staff have expertise in this area? Have you undertaken any Professional Development sessions on Information Literacy?

**Join our discussion board and give us your views.**
Links to useful resources for teaching Information Literacy:

[] Trails is a multiple choice assessment tool to help teachers identify how effective their students are at finding information. Aimed at grades 3, 6, 9 and 12. Free.

[] //S.O.S. for Information Literacy.// This site offers a range of resources for teaching information literacy skills. Suitable for K-16.

[] This site has lesson plans and resources for teaching information literacy skills to students of all levels including primary age students.