Module 5 of ETL401 introduces us to Information Literacy – a very jam packed module that breaks down each aspect. Before it goes into detail, the module aims to provide a solid definition of literacy itself. Before reading on, I decided to define what I believe literacy is. Being a primary school teacher for almost 10 years now, I always equate literacy to being solely a focus during English lessons. While it does come to mind when teaching other KLAs, literacy to me is a set of lifelong, necessary skills that are explicitly taught during English lessons.

Module 5 states that literacy encompasses reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing – all of which are intertwined in the NSW English K-6 Syllabus. The Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA) further add that literacy becoming literate means becoming capable in the following skills:

• communicating ideas
• comprehending and building upon knowledge
• responding creatively to important pieces of work
• posing and exploring problems both locally and globally
• understanding and interacting
• enjoying texts.

Having a solid definition of literacy at hand is vital in understanding information literacy and guided inquiry models. From reading and engaging with Module 5, it is clear that a child who is literate will be a child who can become information and digitally literate.