Information Literacy

Information Literacy:

The skill of information literacy is essential for any person who wishes to be successful in the 21^st century regardless of their chosen profession or career. We live a time where information is abundant and accessible through a variety of means, raising the questions of authenticity and reliability of the information accessed (Bundy, 2004). The Australian and New Zealand Information and Literacy Framework aims to provide individuals with the skills to become information literate. These skills include recognising the need for information, knowing how and where to find information and knowing what to do with that information once it is located. Information literate persons are able to critically evaluate information and then use the information successfully. The application of the information to new concepts to create new understandings in a cultural, ethical legal and socially acceptable way is paramount to being information literate.

During my three years at university I developed and refined my information literacy skills as I located, analysed and used knowledge to create many assignments of various subject matters and presented these tasks in various modes. Central Queensland University (CQU) values information literacy as a graduate attribute as it is essential for study and for careers outside university.  Teaching is one career where information literacy is essential. Teachers must be information literate and pass these skills onto their students.

I have demonstrated information literacy skills by using curriculum such as the Australian National Curriculum and Essential Learnings and translating it into learning experiences for students in a range of year levels (2-7) that are engaging, promote higher order thinking and value the diversity of learners in my classroom. These learning experiences are enriched by the communication of critical inputs and learning goals to students to ensure students become information literate by gathering and analyzing information in order to successfully use and apply this information to a new context and so engage in higher order thinking and successful learning. Students developed the skills of information literacy through exposure to a range of information, including fiction and non fiction from a range of sources including the internet, school library, public library, peers, teachers and curriculum recommended documents within all learning experiences.