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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Characteristics of an Information Literate Person

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

Recognizes the need for information Locates information that can’t be accessed elsewhere ours/tours/tour06/_tourlaunch1.htmhttp:// ours/tours/tour06/_tourlaunch1.htm

Formulates questions based on information needs Students should be directed to sites to find the information hing_on_the_internet.htmhttp:// hing_on_the_internet.htm Other sites: BlueWebn, Ask Jeeves for Kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ways to Use the Internet Accessing Information - research Communications- Publishing- web pages

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

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

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

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

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

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

THANK YOU QUESTIONS????