Discussion Topic for Two Weeks: We have spent two sessions related to our new blog topic, so I am sure you have some thoughts to share. We are bombarded daily with information from the media, newspapers, magazines, radio, and the World Wide Web. Is all information equal? Is it accurate, worthy of our attention? How do you decide which information to take in and which to discard? Most importantly, how will you teach your CTE students about information literacy?
I am so fortunate to have an outstanding media center staff at my school. At the beginning of each semester, I have my students spend three days working with our media specialists on information literacy. The class will be assigned a project that requires internet research. Our library staff helps them by putting together a "glog" of information that should be utilized including search directories and browsers. Together they spend two days on gathering appropriate information and learning how to avoid unacceptable sources. We also take this time to teach proper citing of their research. This assignment is always a good semester starter by illustrating each student's prior knowledge of information literacy. It is often surprising to me how many students have no clue about effective research. I will then have various assignments throughout the semester that will require the use of information literacy to help refresh those skills.
Erin, that sounds like a highly effective activity for the students. It is so important that students are information literate in the world we live in today. It also is a great idea to build upon their skills throughout the semester by requiring they research and use their information literacy during that time. It is great that your media center staff is so involved with this project and with your students.
ReplyDeleteHey Erin, That is a great idea using the media specialists as resources. I agree with you on how students are very good at social sites, but are behind when it comes to using social media as an informative tool. I found this to be true when I assisted in Gravitt's class and the students where doing research on the internet. I think it is awesome that you keep information literacy fresh in your student's minds by spending three days every semester on it.
ReplyDeleteErin
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your media center staff is outstanding. Thursday on my planning, we (other teachers that share the same planning) met in the media center and sat for an hour listening to our media specialist about copyrights and how to check out books online and other resources,websites,etc for the students and teachers to use for teaching and projects. I think if this was done in the beginning my students would have been well off when I assigned different research assignments. The funny thing on the websites that was shown, I asked if there was anything healthcare related (because the media specialist was mentioning all the other core subjects) the response was I am uncertain. Overall there are so many resources out there to teach students about information literacy