Information Literacy


"To be information literate an individual must recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the information needed... Ultimately information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They know how to learn because they know how information is organised, how to find information, and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them." (ALA Presidential Committee on Information Literacy 1989, p.1).

As with media literacy, information literacy is concerned with the construction, deconstruction, and evaluation of information in any medium. This folder serves as a gate way to some of the many Information Literacy sites on the world wide web.



Related information literacy links, special topics, and websites are provided here courtesy of the Media Literacy On-Line Project, an ongoing research and development activity located in the Center for Advanced Technology in Education at the University of Oregon's College of Education. It is the goal of the Media Literacy On-Line Project to make available to educators, producers, students, and parents, information and resources related to the influence of media in the lives of children, youth, and adults.

Article: Information Literacy. The challenge is to acquire the tools with which to tame this monster. Those tools have come to be grouped, at least in the librarian's world, under the umbrella concept of "Information Literacy". Source: Ann Smith, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD.

Article: Computer Skills for Information Problem-Solving: Learning and Teaching Technology in Context. Authors: Michael B. Eisenberg and Doug Johnson. There seems to be clear and widespread agreement among the public and educators that students need to be proficient computer users--students need to be "computer literate." However, while districts are spending a great deal of money on technology, there seems to be only a vague notion of what computer literacy really means. Source: ERIC Digest, Information Clearinghouse on Information and Technology.

Bibliography: Information Literacy. This is a very specific bibliography related to information and learning. Source: Griffith University, Australia.

Bibliography: Library User Education. A comprehensive bibliography with many references to preparing students in the area of information literacy.

Guide: Essential Skills for Information Literacy. A revision of a previous document, Information Skills Curriculum Guide, 1987, which outlines the current thinking regarding information literacy skills in Washington State. Source: Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Olympia, WA and the Washington Library Media Association1996.

Guide: Information Literacy Blueprint. Provides a comprehensive introduction and plan for the implementation of information literacy skills. Source: Christine Susan Bruce, Division of Information Services, Griffith University, Australia.

Guide: Information Literacy Program Mission Statement and Goals. The Program's mission is to support, promote and enhance teaching, learning and research by providing training which assists in the development of information literacy skills for flexible, independent and lifelong learning. Source: Curtin University, Australia.

Guide: Oregon Information Literacy Guidelines,1997. A draft February, 1997, document which outlines the implementation of information literacy skills across the curriculum. The site includes: common curriculum goals, content standards, AASL/AECT, National Standards, Benchmarks. Source: Oregon Educational Media Association Ad hoc Committee.

Guide: Model Information Literacy Guidelines. This site outlines five major objectives for information literate students. The goal is that all students will use information and ideas effectively. Source: Colorado Department of Education,State Library and Adult Education Office, and the Colorado Educational Media Association.

Instruction: Curriculum and Lesson Plans for Information Literacy. A gateway to eight curriculum and lesson plan collection sites. Source: Washington Library Media Association.

Instruction: Information Literacy Program. An example online learning activities related to this site's library and information resources. Source: University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Reference: Information Literacy. This site includes information about: Essential Student Learnings - Washington State, Role of School Libraries in Essential Student Learnings and Information Literacy, Process Models for Information Literacy, Curriculum & Lesson Plans for Information Literacy. Source: Washington State Library Media Association.

Standards: Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Outlines the three broad standards as presented by the AECT/AASL Revision of Information Power.

Standards: Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning - Draft #5. Source: AASL/AECT National Guidelines Vision Committee.