Literacy Guide

Learner Population- Elementary &Secondary Learners (Grades 4+)

Overview:

            Information literacy is essential for lifelong learning. Information literacy refers to the ability to “recognize the extent and nature of an information need” and then to locate, access, evaluate and effectively use the needed information (Plattsburgh State Information and Computer Literacy Task Force, 2001.) In addition, when computer technology skills are taught within the framework of information literacy skills, students are set up in an environment to achieve their upmost potential (Plumas Lake Elementary School District). 

Components:           

            For student learners, they are many components that make up information literacy.  Students, regardless of the subject content area, must first recognize and/or develop a solid question that can be supported by selecting credible sources. Next, learners must search for the information amongst books in the library and search engines online and then begin evaluating the information discovered by citing resources and ultimately creating a product reflecting their findings to the intended audience.

Model and Support Resources:

            There are many models one can follow in terms of creating information literate learners and programs. The Big6 Skills is a process model that shows problem-solving encompassing six stages.  

1. Task Definition

1.1 Define the information problem

            “What am I supposed to do?”

            “What problem am I trying to solve?”

                        Strategies:

                                    - Read the assignment carefully using highlighters

                                    - Ask clarifying questions

1.2 Identify information needed

            “What do I need to know?”

            “What kind of information do I gather?”

                        Strategies:

                                    - KWL chart

                                    -Concept Map for organization

Resources:

http://www.peterussell.com/mindmaps/mindmap.html

This website uses mind maps to help advance note taking skills and linking information together.

http://www.inspiration.com/  

This program allows students to create a concept web/map which is then transformed into an outline. software program helps the user develop a concept map or web, which can be transformed into an outline.

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS

http://www.graphic.org/

A solid list of different online tools, with examples, to graphically organize ideas.

2. Information Seeking Strategies

2.1 Determine all possible sources

            - locate information from a variety of sources for best results

2.2 Select the best sources

            - based on the specific topic

3. Location and Access

3.1 Locate sources

            - Indexes and catalogues in the library

            - Search engines on the web

            * Each source is arranged in specific order (I.e., alphabetically, chronological, etc)

3.2 Find information within sources

            - Table of contents and index- find specific information without reading entire source

Resource:

http://www.schrockguide.net/critical-evaluation.html

This website can be used by elementary and middle school students as it includes evaluation sheets for students to fill out while browsing different information sources.

4. Use of Information

4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)

4.2 Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis

5.1 Organize from multiple sources

5.2 Present the information

Resource:

http://www.kidport.com/Grade4/TAL/G4-TAL-Ordering.htm

This website helps students organize their information, in particular grade 4 students.

http://www.electricteacher.com/

This website has a lot of examples of project- centered applications for students.

6. Evaluation

6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)

6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)

My Literacy Guide Paper Personal References:

http://www.schrockguide.net/information-literacy.html

http://aasl.ala.org/essentiallinks/index.php?title=Information_Literacy

http://www.plusd.org/Schools/Libraries/Information-Literacy/index.html