Thinking about information literacy and digital citizenship in my context is slightly disheartening. My school has not developed an information literacy policy. Information literacy is not part of any collegial discussions although teachers may discuss student research skills but there doesn’t seem to be any knowledge of information literacy processes. Staff may have their own limited knowledge of how to ‘find information’ but there are no set out skills that teachers teach in any consistent ways across the school.

Digital citizenship is more of a known concept amongst staff. There is a digital device use policy and a device usage agreement that parents and students are asked to sign as well as consistent rules across the school about iPad use. However, these classroom rules are more related to being on task and making sure to have the device charged and ready to use rather than effective use of technology. E-safety is taught but there is little discussion amongst teachers or with staff about student wellbeing with digital devices. It now seems more important than ever to teach students about best use for technology and ways that it can help improve our lives.

The Growing Up Digital Australia: Phase 1 technical report (Gonski Institute for Education, 2020) findings were interesting. I agree that digital technology is a useful teaching and learning tool, however screen time in general seems to have negative impacts on students’ emotional, social, and physical wellbeing. My own experience with digital technology and students matches up. I found that students, particularly male students, had difficulty logging off of the device in class once the technology component of the lesson was finished. I also find that privacy concerns curtail many ways that students could interact and share their learning with each other and other relevant audiences.

My belief is that the convergence of literacies is possibly more obvious to teacher librarians (TLs) than classroom teachers. I think TL’s could influence and expand their teaching role by providing PD for teachers on aspects that they are less knowledgeable about it. As was mentioned in the Rethinking Digital Citizenship (Global Silicon Valley, 2021) video, TLs would be great digital citizenship coaches as they have the knowledge and skills to teach staff and students about digital and information literacy. TLs could also lead the way by integrating digital and information literacy into the curriculum across different areas. Being able to this also requires a strong understanding among staff about the role of the TL in the school.

References

Global Silicon Valley. (2021, September). Rethinking Digital Citizenship / ASU+GSV 2021 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTBvVav2yNo&t=2366s

Gonski Institute for Education (2020). Growing Up Digital Australia: Phase 1 technical report. Gonski Institute for Education.
University of New South Wales.