An Introduction to Information Literacy in the K-6 Classroom ED 515: Curriculum of the Elementary School Dr. Janet Burke An Introduction to Information Literacy in the K-6 Classroom ED 515: Curriculum of the Elementary School Dr. Janet Burke Presented by: Jenny Innes Education Librarian WCSU Libraries Spring 2004

Information Literacy: What is it? “To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” 1 “To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” 1 1 American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. (1989). Final Report. Retrieved on 2/17/04 from the American Library Association website:

Information Literacy: Why is it important for teachers? The mission of the American education system is to prepare learners and workers for the information age The mission of the American education system is to prepare learners and workers for the information age Students and teachers must be able to think critically, use learning technologies, and access and use information to participate effectively in society Students and teachers must be able to think critically, use learning technologies, and access and use information to participate effectively in society When teachers have strong information literacy skills, easier to incorporate principles and practice into class instruction When teachers have strong information literacy skills, easier to incorporate principles and practice into class instruction

Information Literacy: A Partnership Ideal for a library media specialist/school librarian to collaborate with teachers to integrate IL into the curriculum Ideal for a library media specialist/school librarian to collaborate with teachers to integrate IL into the curriculum Collaborative work speeds up transition from textbook learning to resource-based learning (when mandated by school district) Collaborative work speeds up transition from textbook learning to resource-based learning (when mandated by school district)

Information Literacy Standards: 3 Categories of Learning Information literacy Information literacy Independent learning Independent learning Social responsibility Social responsibility

Nine Standards Information Literacy Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively. Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently. Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.

Nine Standards, cont’d. Independent Learning Standard 4: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests. Standard 5: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information. Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

Nine Standards, cont’d. Social Responsibility Standard 7: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society. Standard 8: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology. Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

Six Stages of the Information Literacy Process 1. Defining 2. Locating 3. Selecting/Analyzing 4. Organizing/Synthesizing 5. Creating/Presenting 6. Evaluating

Problem Solving for Proactive Learners By framing a unit of work as a problem or task, rather than a topic, students have the opportunity to create and present original ideas By framing a unit of work as a problem or task, rather than a topic, students have the opportunity to create and present original ideas Not just reading and regurgitating the knowledge of others. Not just reading and regurgitating the knowledge of others. Active learning rather than passive learning Active learning rather than passive learning

Organizations that support Information Literacy in K-12 Setting American Association for School Libraries (AASL) American Association for School Libraries (AASL) Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT)

Print Resources at WCSU Libraries: American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Chicago: American Library Association, Ryan, Jenny and Steph Capra. Information Literacy Toolkit: Grades Kindergarten-6. ALA, 2001 Ryan & Capra. Information Literacy Toolkit: Grades 7 and Up. ALA, 2001.

More Print Resources at WCSU Libraries Eisenberg, Michael. Information Literacy : Essential Skills for the Information Age. Libraries Unlimited, (On order) Stanley, Deborah B. Practical Steps to the Research Process for Middle School. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Humes, Barbara. Understanding Information Literacy. Washington, DC : U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, National Institute for Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning, 1998.

Web Resources: Information Literacy AASL Information Literacy Resources The Big6 Skills Learning through the Library Best Practices Archive. Elementary (K-Grade 5) Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction, State of Connecticut Connecticut Information/Technology Literacy Information A Progress Report on Information Literacy: An Update on the American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report.