At my school we use the Big 6 information literacy model and we have kept it as ‘that’s what we’ve always done’. However reading about the different models I’m not sure that that is the best fit for our school.

I think one thing that I can take away from the discussion is a closer look at the other information models that are available and sharing them with my team. I think if we are rewriting our information literacy document then it’s only right that we also scrutinise our information literacy model.

 

I think that the debate between information literacy as a skill set vs a way of learning is difficult to define. I agree with Herring and Tarter (2006) that there needs to be a set of definable skills that students can or cannot perform. But I can also see how we need to combine these skills with a shift in both students and teachers thinking about the way we transfer these skills in our learning. This needs to be a whole school approach.

 

Bastone (2011) observes that in order for students to benefit the most a whole school approach is needed, if the whole school acknowledges the importance of these information literacy skills then there is a greater chance of students becoming lifelong independent learners.  Discussions with colleagues needs to be a priority as both teacher librarians and faculty teachers determine how they can besti implement information literacy and critical thinking skills into their curriculum. The internet continues to evolve and grow and it is our role as teacher librarians to best equip our students with the tools they need to navigate it.

 

References:

 

Bastone, S. (2011). Skills for life: Delivering information literacy skills. The School Librarian. 59(1), 9-11. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/docview/1502745291?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:primo&accountid=10344