Smethport Area Jr.-Sr. High School Library

Information Literacy

WHAT IS INFORMATION LITERACY??

With the explosion of information now available on the Internet, students must become information literate. Information literacy is defined as an individual's ability to:

• recognize a need for information;
• identify and locate appropriate information sources;
• know how to gain access to the information contained in those sources;
• evaluate the quality of information obtained;
• organize the information;
• use the information effectively.

In an information literate environment, students engage in active, self-directed learning activities, and teachers facilitate students' learning by looking beyond their classrooms for resources that will enrich the learning environment.

The Nine Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning

Information Literacy

Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively.

Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently.

Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively.

Independent Learning

Standard 4: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests.

Standard 5: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.

Standard 6: The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation. Social Responsibility

Standard 7: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society.

Standard 8: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.

Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

Excerpted from Chapter 2, "Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning," of Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Copyright © 1998 American Library Association and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. ISBN 0-8389-3470-6. Order by phone at 1-866 SHOP ALA (1-866-746-7252).