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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.
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