Literacy across learning: Information and Critical Literacy Skills CPD for early and first level
Curriculum for Excellence
Within the Curriculum for Excellence Literacy across learning experiences and outcomes information literacy skills can be found in the sections on finding and using information which includes, reading, critical literacy skills; while the understanding analysing and evaluation statements “encourage progression in understanding of texts (‘the medium through which ideas, experiences, opinions and information can be communicated’ link to text table), developing not only literal understanding but also higher order skills”. Organising and using information can be found in the writing section.
Information and critical literacy can also be found in other experiences and outcomes in activities such as:
- Acknowledge sources
- Making notes
- Reliability of information
- Planning
- Select, organise and represent information and ideas,
- Find, sort, summarise
- Communicate information,
- Consider, reflect, evaluate, Critical thinking,
- Differences between fact and fiction
- Explain, debate, discuss, analyse
- Assess
Linked to information and critical literacy is thinking skills. Building the Curriculum 4 states that
"Thinking allows learners to explore text and information of all kinds critically and to use them purposefully."
" It is important that all learners are given appropriate opportunities to develop their thinking skills. " p11
In Improving Scottish Education 2005-2008, HMIE states:
"Curriculum for Excellence sets high expectations of rigour. This means that teachers should plan consistently for appropriate pace, challenge, depth and progression, and consciously promote the development of high order thinking skills"
Information Literacy in Schools
Engagement - case studies / sharing practice
"Information literacy is knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner." CILIP (2004) Information Literacy Definition