Hannah Love LSIS 5645 Core Assessment IV

Why is information literacy necessary?  To fulfill the goals of education by preparing students for The workplace ○ Information technology affects the nature of work and our ability to innovate and participate in the global economy Citizenship ○ Information technology changes our understanding of community Daily life ○ Information technology affects the way we interact with people and information which influences our sense of self and sense of purpose

What is Guided Inquiry? Guided Inquiry is not…Guided Inquiry… Preparation solely for the testPreparation for lifelong learning An add on subject Integrated into content areas Isolated information skillsTransferable information concepts Relying on one textbookUsing a variety of sources Finding answers to a prescribed questionInvolving students in every stage of the learning from planning to the final product Curriculum without meaning to studentsCurriculum connected to student’s world Individual students working exclusively on solitary tasks A community of learners working together Solely teacher directedStudents and teachers collaborating Over emphasis on the end productEmphasis on the process and product

Research/Theoretical Basis  Constructivist approach to learning John Dewey- “learning by doing”  Information Search Process Carol Kuhlthau  Deep understanding Louise Limberg  Intervention Vygotsky

Role of Guided Inquiry  To integrate the development of information literacy into the current school curriculum  By outlining methods for teaching research to students of all ages and abilities

Information Literacy Standards Upheld by Guided Inquiry  Information Power (2008) Students who are information literate: ○ Standard 1: access information efficiently and effectively ○ Standard 2: evaluate information critically and competently ○ Standard 3: use information accurately and creatively

Information Literacy Concepts Taught by Guided Inquiry Information Literacy Concepts Locate Library is a lab for information literacy Trails and paths-browsing, monitoring, chaining, differentiating, extracting Types of searches-preliminary, exploratory, comprehensive, summary Evaluate Evaluating resources for reading, viewing, listening and experiencing Structure gives clues for evaluating resources Five characteristics for evaluating resources-expertise, accuracy, currency, perspective, quality Use Determining importance, relevance and pertinence Forming a focus Deciding what is enough Managing inquiry-taking notes and recording references Interpreting facts and organizing ideas Sharing with a community of learners

Beyond the definitions:

Benefits for Students Develop social, language, and reading skill Construct their own meaning Gain independence in research and learning High level of motivation and engagement Learn strategies and skills transferable to other inquiry projects Benefits for Teachers Share responsibility in the instructional team Share expertise of the team members Teach content and information skills simultaneously Brainstorm and plan with more creativity Enhancement of content areas of the curriculum Benefits for Librarians Involved in meaningful learning with students Shared responsibility with instructional team Library becomes an active learning environment Information literacy taught in context Increased level of professional contribution Benefits for Administrators Fosters systemic change to improve learning Promotes constructivist approach to learning Achieves multiple curricular goals Fosters collaborative climate for team instruction Changes school to meet needs of 21st century workplace Benefits for Parents Places responsibility with educators Fairer for all students Takes away burden of teaching research Observe their children becoming independent learners Makes school more interesting and relevant Who benefits ?

Five Kinds of Learning in the Inquiry Process Curriculum Content gaining knowledge, interpreting, and synthesizing Information Literacy locating, evaluating, and using information Learning How to Learn initiating, selecting, exploring, focusing, collecting, presenting, and reflecting Literacy Competence reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing Social Skills cooperating, collaborating, flexibility, and persistence Educational Benefits

What?Who?How?When? Core Team Librarian, Subject Area Teacher = content area or classroom teacher learning specialist: literacy, gifted, LD resource technology Flexible depending on Unit/curricular need Students’ interest Learning needs Focus on five kinds of learning Assess all levels of learning From beginning of planning (conception) to end reflection (completion) Extended Team Experts on learning Experts on content Assist with literacy needs, learning needs and differentiation Museum, local /community, wider community— Internet based, university Dipping in and out as needed throughout the inquiry Flexible Teams

Six Principles of Guided Inquiry Six Principles Children learn by being actively engaged in and reflecting on an experience. Children learn by building on what they already know. Children develop higher-order thinking through guidance at critical points in the learning process. Children have different ways and modes of learning. Children learn through social interactions with others. Children learn through instruction and experience in accord with their cognitive development.

Basic Inquiry Abilities AbilityTask RecallRemember what stands out in your mind. SummarizeSelect ideas and place them in meaningful sequence. ParaphraseTell it in your own words. ExtendForm new understandings and raise new questions.

Strategies for Inquiry Learning The Six C’s CollaborateWork jointly with others. ConverseTalk about ideas for clarity and further questions. ContinueDevelop understanding over a period of time. ChooseSelect what is interesting and pertinent. ChartVisualize ideas using pictures, timelines, and graphic organizers. ComposeWrite all the way along, not just at the end; keep journals

Conclusion  Information literacy is a crucial skill for thriving in the Information Age of the 21 st century.  Guided Inquiry puts information literacy standards into practice by giving school faculty a holistic method for teaching curriculum, information literacy and social skills.

Reference:  Kuhlthau, C. C., Caspari, A. K., & Maniotes, L. K. (2007). Guided inquiry, learning in the 21st century. Westpot, CT: Libraries Unltd Inc.