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Information Literacy

What is Information Literacy?

Information literacy is the ability to identify what information is needed, where to find the necessary information, how to evaluate the information once it has been accessed, and how to effectively process and utilize the valid information. It involves the recognition that information is available in a wide variety of media types, from traditional print media to videos. It also involves learning how to formulate the kinds of questions that will lead to depth of response.

Why is Information Literacy important?

There has been an explosion of information in the last 50 years. Much of that information is available in media other than traditional print media.
While it is important to KNOW certain facts, it is becoming increasingly important not to know something, but to know how to find it when needed.
Most people currently in the work force, and certainly those entering it in the future, can expect to change careers three or more times in their lives. To make these changes successfully, people must be life-long learners and be able to process a wide variety of information sources effectively.
The more complex and interrelated our world becomes, the more our country needs an active and informed citizenry. The ability to access and evaluate information that bombards us through a wide variety of media is increasingly important to our nation's health and stability.

What do our students need to know in order to become Information Literate?

They need to be able to clearly identify what they need to know, or what problem they are trying to solve.
They need to know what kinds of sources exist.
They need to know which sources are likely to provide what kinds of information.
They need to know how to gain access to the particular sources they need.
They need to know how to judge the truth and value of a particular source or piece of information.
They need to be able to make connections between what they already know and what they've learned in their research.
They need to be able to use new knowledge to answer their questions or solve their problems.
They need to be able to communicate what they've learned to others.

How might we teach these skills?

Teach students how to ask significant questions.

Acquaint students with the types of sources available to them. These will differ depending on the grade level you teach.

Give students models and tools to use in evaluating information sources. In many ways, good criteria for the evaluation of websites are also applicable to the evaluation of other types of sources. In general, these involve accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency and coverage.

What is the "net" result?
Helping your students gain information literacy will pay off not only in better research skills and classroom discussions, but in better-informed citizens and more careful consumers.