Information and Media LiteracyThis is a featured page

News InformationInformation literacy includes accessing information efficiently and effectively, evaluating it critically and competently, and using it accurately and creatively. Accessing information has become increasingly important as databases previously accessible only to library media specialists are now available to students directly. Browsing, searching, and navigating online have become essential skills for all students, as has recognition of the limitations of digital archives (some things remain unavailable electronically). Familiarity with natural inquiry, Boolean search strategies, and organizational systems (cataloging, abstracting, indexing, rating) are extremely important as students locate information from sources across the globe (Brem, 2000).

The digitizing of resources raises new issues of analysis and evaluation. Consider a student who is asked to prepare a presentation based on information from the Web. That student can access vast quantities of information without a lot of understanding, because search engines make accessing information so simple. But, “using search engines requires an increased skill level. Evaluating and synthesizing information found in...sources requires even more advanced skills, representing a literacy that is far beyond what is needed in a more constrained environment, such as with textbooks where all the information is contained within one source. In effect, because technology makes the simple tasks easier, it places a greater burden on higher-level skills” (ICT Literacy Panel, 2002; p. 6).

Ultimately, students need to understand the interrelationships between library collections, proprietary databases, and other Internet documents to ensure appropriate, effective searching and accurate evaluation of sources. As students access electronic resources, it is critical that they recognize the importance of honoring the intellectual property of others by strictly adhering to copyright and fair use laws. http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/skills/infolit.htm

Students Who Are Information Literate:

Before Accessing Information:
  • Determine what is known and what is needed for problem-solving
  • Identify different sources of information, including text, people, video, audio, and databases
  • Prioritize sources based on credibility and relevance

When Accessing Information:
  • Identify and retrieve relevant information from sources; use technology to enhance searching
  • Revise information-gathering strategies that prove to be ineffective
  • Understand how information retrieved does or does not address original problem
  • Evaluate information in terms of credibility and social, economic, political, legal, and ethical issues that may impact it; use technology to facilitate evaluation

After Information is Extracted:
  • Use retrieved information to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Present information clearly and persuasively using a range of technology tools and media
  • Evaluate the processes and products of these activities, including resulting social consequences

Research and Articles:

  • The Association for Media Literacy Promotes media education as a means of understanding the influence of the media and the impact of rapidly evolving technology, on our culture. The website provides access to a range of resources and an amazing community of people interested and involved in media education and literacy.

  • Media Literacy.com Media products entertain us, inform us, and help us connect to world. But public relations spin, violence packaged as entertainment, hyper-commercialization, news bias, digital photo manipulation and other issues provide many reasons why both children and adults must become media literate. Teachersneed to learn the skills that help children navigate our world of powerful images and sounds.

  • ATT Network Explorer: Wired Learning On this site, focus is on four 21st century literacies - information, media, multicultural, and visual. The site includes great resources, both bibliographic and web-based, to assist you in your quest to learn and/or teach literacy skills.

  • Center for Media Literacy Educational resources to promote and support media literacy education as a framework for accessing, analyzing, evaluating and creating media content. CML helps students develop critical thinking and media production skills needed to live fully in the 21st century media culture.

  • When ‘Digital Natives’ Go to the Library College and university librarians got some unconventional advice Saturday: Play more video games. At a packed session for academic librarians attending the annual meeting of the American Library Association, in Washington, the topic was how to help students who have learned many of their information gathering and analysis skills from video games apply that knowledge in the library. Speakers said that gaming skills are in many ways representative of a broader cultural divide between today’s college students and the librarians who hope to teach them.

  • The Changing ‘Place’ of the Library At a local university, two-thirds of nearly 22,000 students will never step foot in the library. Ditto for hundreds of professors. These students and faculty are either teaching or learning on-line. So when I read reports about the library “as a place,” I worry a bit. What do these on-site spaces mean to our growing population of distance education students and professors?

Open Source Software/Freeware/Downloads:

  • Mind Tools: Information and Study Skills This section of Mind Tools gives you a range of skills to successfully study and digest a huge volume of information, including documents, data and reports and assimilate all the information.

  • 21st Century Information Fluency Project Digital Information Fluency (DIF) is the ability to find, evaluate and use digital information effectively, efficiently and ethically. This involves understanding how digital information is different from print information and knowing how to use specialized tools for finding digital information. Includes wizard tools, tutorials and resources for using digital resources.

Websites/Podcasts/Videos:


  • ALA | Information Literacy AASL provides leadership for the development of dynamic, student-centered school library media programs. These programs help ensure that students master the information literacy skills needed to be discerning consumers and creative producers of information.

  • 21st Century Literacies Curriculum Presents the process and essential skills for embedding information literacy strategies across all areas of the curriculum. The curriculum seeks to promote the skills, knowledge and attitudes to help students develop information literacy.

Effective Implementation Examples:

Student/Teacher Voices:


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