The Current State of Play

1
The Current State of Play
2
Terminology

• These terms are used interchangeably, but they do
  not mean the same thing.
• Computer literacy
• ICT literacy
• Information literacy

3
Computer literacy

• How to use a computer, access the file structure,
  save information, use a range of software
  products such as wordprocessing, spreadsheets,
  databases and other publishing packages
  (graphics, animation).

4
ICT literacy

• How to use Information Communications
  Technologies (ICTs) including email, the Internet
  (browsers, search engines, uploading and
  downloading), the World Wide Web (WWW not the
  same as the Internet), IRC (Internet Relay Chat).

5
Information literacy

• A developmental skills set that enables
  individuals to be lifelong learners and to
  participate successfully in a complex,
  information-rich world, ie. they have the ability
  to locate and use information to meet their
  needs.

6
Information literacy

• Inquiry skills using a range of resources,
  tools technologies
• Literacy skills language literacy (oral,
  audio written), digital
  literacy, electronic literacy, computer literacy,
  e-literacies, media literacy, ICT literacy,
  visual literacy, critical literacy, ethical
  literacy, moral literacy, information
  problem-solving literacy, numerical literacy,
  cultural literacy, social literacy, political
  literacy, multicultural literacy, . (Lepani,
  1998)

7
Information literacy

• Collate, evaluate, analyse, deconstruct
  information using a range of resources, tools,
  technologies
• Skimming/scanning, note making, presenting
  information using a variety of formats, using a
  range of tools technologies
• Reconstruct understandings and substantiate
  your argument
• Learning to work collaboratively in a team,
  roles

8
Information literacy

• Time management, meeting deadlines, creating
  schedules
• Information management using a range of
  resources (text, pictorial, oral, human,
  multimedia, online, electronic), tools (email,
  file structures, indexes, contents)
  technologies.

9
Information literacy

• These terms are often used synonymously eg. ECUs
  graduate attributes, Connected Learning
  Conference.
• Information literacy is the overarching term.
• An information literate person builds on the
  skills set and is a lifelong learner.

10
Research

• School Library Impact Studies
• http//www.lrs.org/impact.asp
• Ross Todd, Rutgers University, New Jersey
• http//www.scils.rutgers.edu/rtodd/
• Impact of School Libraries on Student
  Achievement a Review of the Research
• http//www.asla.org.au/research/index.htm

11
Research

• Aesop to e-book the story goes on
  IASLConference, 2004.
• Five Year study in the UK tertiary students and
  their use of electronic information resources
  (EIR). (Lonsdale, R. and Armstrong, C.)
• Findings students significantly under-used EIR.
  Many students did not know how to use EIR
  effectively or efficiently.
• Proposal - investigation of three additional
  areas the role of the teacher librarian and
  support staff in supporting skills development,
  initial teacher training and e-resource provision
  across sectors.

12
Commonwealth Govt

• Commonwealth Government uses the terms
  information literacy skills development and ICT
  literacy skills interchangeably.
• In the national policy documents the development
  of these skills is the responsibility of schools
  and public libraries. (DCITA. (2002)

13
eGovernance

• In 2000 a directive was sent to all public
  service agencies to provide information about
  services provision online.
• Early in 2004, we saw the tip of the iceberg
  when the WA Government announced that now all
  information about Government jobs would now only
  be available online.
• What does this mean for public libraries and
  changing service provision?

14
National Testing

• Australian Computers in Education Conference,
  Adelaide, 2004.
• Presenters at a panel discussion and a paper
  session announce national testing for ICT
  literacy skills for all year six and year ten
  students across Australia.
• The proposed timeline included trials by April
  2005, with final testing ready for January 2006.

15
National Testing

• ICT literacy definition
• Domain 1 ICT literacy specifically, being able
  to use the WWW and email.
• Domain 2 Information literacy Concerns were
  expressed that TLs and schools were trying to
  embed the development of these skills into
  curriculum and for technology to be seen as a
  tool, whereas this testing model differentiates
  use of technology as a specific skill that should
  be taught in isolation.
• Domain 3 Ethics and appropriate use

16
Education

• Outcomes Based Education
• Post Compulsory Education Review
• Learning Technologies
• Le_at_rning Federation

17
The Future

• Despite the large amount of capital spent in this
  global PC rush there is little evidence that
  student performance has improved or brought about
  any real lasting change in the way teachers
  teach.
• Information Technology (IT) will not transform
  schools, rather it is great teaching combined
  with information literacy and questioning skills
  which may bring about the desired outcomes for
  students. (Jamie McKenzie, 2000)

18
The Future

• Information Literacy (IL) is mainly about
  developing understanding and insight, it is about
  interpretation of information to guide decisions,
  solve problems and steer students through
  uncertain and complex futures. (Jamie McKenzie,
  2000)
• IL is not location skills or library skills
  taught in isolation.

19
The Future

• Role of libraries, TLs and Librarians?
• Plan and implement programs that embed the
  development of IL skills so students and
  community members can become self-sufficient
  users of information.
• Take a leadership role in the development of
  information skills within educational/user
  programs.