Literacy across learning: Information and Critical Literacy Skills CPD for early and first level
Supporting Resources
Information sources come in all shapes and sizes. However they are generally divided into the following categories:
- Print - books, dictionaries, thesauri, atlases, newspapers, magazines / journals, leaflets, map
- Electronic – Internet / world wide web, library catalogues, television, radio, e-books
- People – friends, family, colleagues, teachers or lecturers, library and library or information resource centre staff, as well as people within specific organisations such as: personnel or human resources manager/s, manager/s, business owner/s.
An important resource that teachers may not have used or thought of are local authoritiy Education Resource Services or Library and Information Services such as Early Years and Young People’s Librarian, Primary School Librarian, Information Literacy Officer.
"The nature of school library resource centre provision varies across Scotland, depending on the local authority; however, libraries are part of a wider resource-sharing, information and support network. In addition to book collections and libraries in educational establishments, there are 554 community libraries and 81 mobile libraries, some of which make visits direct to primary schools." Improving Libraries for learners: how good are we at supporting learning and meeting learning needs? How good can we be?,
As stated above librarians and libraries are not just about books they also offer / provide other services, professional advice, some have educational tools, artefacts (check out what your local authority service offers). They support, engage and work with:
- teachers on a wide range of curriculum and information literacy activities, subject specific or class wide; cross curricular and or on school wide projects; transition projects - developing links such as between secondary and primary schools
- school activities through school committees such as literacy teams, training and in-service opportunities, promoting a whole school approach and developing links with primary schools
using their professional chartered skills and competencies to the benefit of teachers and pupils. Many are involved in Curriculum for Excellence activities. Their contribution is highlighted within the Literacy across learning Principles and Practice Paper
"It is expected that the literacy experiences and outcomes and this accompanying paper [principles and practice], will be read by a range of practitioners, including those who work in school library resource centres, who make an enormous contribution to the literacy skills of children and young people."
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