Open AccessTeaching Information Skills in the Information Age: An Examination of Trends in the Middle Grades
Author(s) -
Marlene Asselin
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
school libraries worldwide
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2816-3788
pISSN - 1023-9391
DOI - 10.29173/slw6955
Subject(s) - information literacy , school library , mathematics education , psychology , variety (cybernetics) , literacy , pedagogy , critical thinking , medical education , library science , computer science , medicine , artificial intelligence
This study examined the extent of information literacy instruction in grades 6 and 7 and the degree to which a variety of supportive factors are in place in classrooms and school library programs in one western Canadian province. Based on responses to questionnaires from teachers and teacher-librarians, four trends emerged: (a) the existence of broad-level support in schools including a constructivist teaching and learning environment, principals' support of information literacy, and teachers' knowledge of information literacy; (b) the need for school- and district-level frameworks of information literacy; (c) the need for increased attention to teaching ethical and critical thinking aspects of information literacy; and (d) challenges to increasing the potential role of the school library program. Implications for teacher-librarians as school leaders of the "new literacies" required to participate in the Information Age are presented.