Information Literacy

Information is available from many sources and in many formats, such as printed text,
television, videos, library databases, web sites, and more. To be "information literate" you
need to know why, when, and how to use all of these tools and think critically about the
information they provide.

You won't become information literate overnight. Just as with speaking skills and writing
skills, your abilities will improve over time as you gain expertise in the topics you choose to
investigate and as you practice searching for, selecting, and evaluating the information and
ideas you encounter. 

You  have the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to locate, collect, organize, and present information; to evaluate information for its relevance, accuracy and possible bias; and to adopt ethical behaviors related to the use of information. Using these skills
enables you to be successful in whatever direction your  lives might turn. You will be able to find the answer for yourself  rather than being at the mercy of others who provide pre-packaged selected information related to a topic or issue. 

Fact

The Internet is a collaborative information space, not managed by any one group. 
The Internet, the Web, and browsers are all different things.
 Searching the Internet effectively takes a little know-how. 
Lots of useful information isn't (and may never be) in electronic format.

Fiction

If it is on the Internet....it must be true!

 

The Nine Information Literacy Standards
for Student Learning

Information Literacy

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

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

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

Independent Learning

  1. The student who is an independent learner is information literate and pursues information related to personal interests.
  2. The student who is an independent learner is information literate and appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.
  3. The student who is an independent learner is information literate and strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

Social Responsibility

  1. 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.

  2. 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.   

  1. 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.


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