1. Using the Internet to Improve Information Literacy: The New Role of the Library/Media Specialist IASL Conference 2000, Do you read me? Malmö, Sweden August 9, 2000 Presented by Dr. Sheila Offman Gersh City College of New York sogcc@cunyvm.cuny.edu http://www.schoollink.org/twin

2. The Need for Lifelong Learners 1998 – 70% of all jobs will require significant basic technology literacy 2010 – 100 % of all jobs will require significant technology skills –80% of the jobs don’t exist yet

3. What is Information Literacy The ability to evaluate information for accuracy and usefulness To transform data to information to insight

4. Essential Literacy Skills Text – to make meaning of electronic text –To discover relevant information Numerical –How to translate and analyze data, crunch numbers, think mathematically, and understand about relationships Visual –Strategies of advertising, emotions of paining, photography

5. What Librarian/Media Specialists Need to do: Provide services and technology to gain access to information Provide students with the skills to manage information resources –How to investigate, research and make meaning from data Show students how to navigate through the vast databases to locate information

6. Changes is using information Pre-modem – students “found out about” research projects Post-modem – “students are making answers” to information

7. Assumptions About Information What assumptions are made about accuracy, value, usefulness On what do they base the assumptions? –Ricky Lake –CNN –Talk Show Hosts –Newspapers –Magazines

8. Characteristics of an Information Literate Person

9. Recognizes that accurate and complete information is the basis for intelligent decision making Citing Resources Assessing Information News sites

10. Recognizes the need for information Locates information that can’t be accessed elsewhere http://www.infosearcher.com/cybert ours/tours/tour06/_tourlaunch1.htmhttp://www.infosearcher.com/cybert ours/tours/tour06/_tourlaunch1.htm http://www.SchoolNotes.com http://www.blackboard.comhttp://www.SchoolNotes.com http://www.blackboard.com

11. Formulates questions based on information needs Students should be directed to sites to find the information http://www.homeworkcentral.com/ http://www.schoollink.org/twin/searc hing_on_the_internet.htmhttp://www.schoollink.org/twin/searc hing_on_the_internet.htm Other sites: BlueWebn, Ask Jeeves for Kids

12. Identifies potential sources of information Searches on the Internet (kids sites) Picks the best search tools Bookmarks useful sites Presents information in a meaningful way Uses other sources also

13. Develops Successful Search Strategies Creates subquestions –List keywords, concepts, subject headings, descriptors Learns to use more than one source of information http://www.schoollink.org/workshops /search_tools.htmhttp://www.schoollink.org/workshops /search_tools.htm

14. Evaluates information Scope Authority and Bias Accuracy Timeliness Permanence Value Added Features Presentation

15. Organizes information for practical application Solves information problems Summarizes information Draws conclusions Examples: –Projects –Keypal exchanges –Subject Matter Experts

16. Integrates New Information into Existing Body of Knowledge Creates New Products WebQuests CyberGuides Web-Based Activities

17. Uses information in critical thinking and problem solving Reassesses the process for further study Creates an original product http://prwww.ncook.k12.il.us/Learning Center/infolit/iladventpage/iladvent. htmlhttp://prwww.ncook.k12.il.us/Learning Center/infolit/iladventpage/iladvent. html

18. Ways to Use the Internet Accessing Information - research Communications- e-mail Publishing- web pages

19. Internet Orientation Should Include –Using browsers –Search strategies – engines directories megaengines –Citing resources- copyright –Evaluating web sites- criteria –AUPs – purpose, examples

20. Stages of Problem Solving Define the need for information- –Ask the question Initiating the search strategy –Query Locating the resources –Research Accessing and comprehension –Search

21. Stages of Problem Solving Interpreting the information –Synthesize Communicating the information –Web Pages, Projects Evaluating the product and process –Critique

22. http://www.big6.com/compa rison_chart.gif

23. Curriculum Applications Collaborate with classroom teachers Find resources for teachers and students Communicate with specialists around the globe

24. Pitfalls in Teaching Information Literacy Size of the Internet Ease of setting up a web presence Lack of established WWW standards Lack of established WWW source documentation Limitations of search engines Infancy of Internet research Inadequate critical thinking skills

25. Conclusion: Information literacy is the key to a successful technology initiative Libraries should provide services and technologies needed to gain access to information in order to create an information literate community

26. THANK YOU QUESTIONS????