Lincoln Public Schools

Mission Statement / Essential Element 1

Information Literacy: Teaching and Learning

Information literacy is the ability to access, evaluate, interpret, appreciate, and communicate information from a variety of sources and formats. Information literacy instruction will help students become successful independent learners, critical thinkers, and problem solvers. Teachers and library media specialists, through collaboration must deliberately and thoughtfully teach information literacy skills and the research process.

Educators should collaborate to plan and deliver instruction for information literacy that is integrated with curricular objectives and promotes student achievement of learning goals. The LPS Guide to Integrated Information Literacy Skills describes four categories of information literacy:

• Orientation to information resources
• Selection and utilization of resources
• Organization and presentation of information
• Information and literature appreciation

Through repeated practice and purposeful application of these skills, students will acquire the necessary information literacy tools that form a foundation for becoming lifelong learners.

Effective instructional practices that contribute to student learning of information literacy include:

• using a collaborative teaching model
• integrating information literacy skills identified within the curriculum
• designing student-centered instruction
• teaching students to use a research path
 
 
• utilizing flexible scheduling and open access to library media centers
• evaluating instruction, process, and product
• introducing and using new technologies with relevant information literacy skills

Students have unique abilities, diverse perceptions and varied learning styles. Educators must help them acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become lifelong learners. Effective learners and thinkers use background knowledge, apply learning strategies, are mindful of their own thinking and are motivated. By acquiring strategies and practicing the learning/research process, students will build the skills necessary to answer questions, solve problems, synthesize and communicate information in school, work and life.

Students need to know and apply learning strategies, such as:

• elaboration - connect the information to prior knowledge
• self-testing - ask questions and review
• note taking - to record information in own words
• manipulation and analysis of information - create representations, matrices, diagrams, and hierarchies
• imagery - visual goals, products, accomplishments
• rehearsal and enactment - internalization of information

How can information literacy instruction be accomplished? Educators will use the collaborative teaching model to continuously integrate information literacy skills and the research process within curricular units.

Educators will:

• describe and model the application of learning strategies
• assist students in using and transferring strategies, including how, why,when and where to use them in the context of their learning experiences
• create opportunities for divergent thinking and inquiry, allowing students to create and use information
• provide access to a variety of current, timely, and accurate information
• create opportunities for individual and collaborative inquiry

Students will:

• become adept at practicing and applying strategies
• receive feedback on the use of strategies
• transfer and use strategies in new situations
• be involved in self, peer, and teacher evaluation of the research process

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