Information+Literacy

Information Literacy
" The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ([|UNESCO]) defines literacy as the "ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society."

[]

"[|Is Google Making us Stupid?] "

> literacy that students must understand and develop.
 * Students**
 * 1) Literacy as we know it is not enough. There is a new grammar and a new
 * 1) Students need to have access to learning on their terms.
 * 2) We should be putting more responsibility on our students.
 * 3) Students should be given more ownership of their own learning.
 * 4) Students need opportunities to do real work with real purpose for real people.


 * Abilities**
 * ** Able to work together at a distance **
 * ** Ability to influence groups **
 * ** Creative with results **
 * ** Ability to be self directed **


 * Getting Started:**


 * Whale Watching
 * Search for Octopus
 * Sponsored Links
 * [|Archive.org] (cfisd.com)

Searching

 * Typical web-based information gathering:**
 * Get on Google
 * Type in a word or two
 * Scan the first page or two of results
 * Find what's needed or try again

> Why was the Berlin Wall built? > better search queries. [|AltaVista],[| Google's Advanced Search] Other tools available
 * The problems with this method**
 * The best results aren't always at the top - Search Engine Design
 * Poorly stated assignments - Write a paper on the octopus.
 * No search strategy or knowledge of techniques - Not thinking about
 * Might not be using the best tool for the job.
 * [|Answers.com]
 * [|Ask.com]
 * [|NoodleTools]
 * [|NoodleQuest]
 * Boolify


 * Let's look at some other particular searches.**
 * 1) Find census data from 2000
 * 2) Find information about Haiku coming from Japan
 * 3) Narrow a search about Mars to k12 resources written by NASA
 * 4) Locate cancer research from universities in New Zealand
 * 5) Information on turtles from schools in the U.S.


 * [|Country Codes]


 * Fact or Fiction:**
 * http://www.dhmo.org
 * http://www.thedogisland.com
 * http://www.golfcross.com
 * @http://www.tinyurl.com/gsinstitute

**R**
Read the URL > [|American Revolution]
 * [|Victorian Robots]
 * []
 * Examine the Domain .edu, .com, .gov
 * Use the site command site:gov
 * Google from other countries
 * [|Domain extensions for counties]

**E**
Evaluate the Content
 * Is the information on the web site useful for your topic?
 * Are additional resources and link provided?
 * Is the site current? Do you know when it was updated?
 * Do you think the information is accurate?
 * Does the information contradict information you have found elsewhere?
 * Example: [|All About Explorers]
 * [|Other Sites to evaluate]

A
Ask About the Author
 * Is the author’s name listed?
 * Is there biographical information about the author provided?
 * Search for the author - []
 * [|Easywhois.com] [] [|http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp]
 * Network Solutions - []

L
Look at the Links
 * []
 * []
 * Who do they link to for more information?
 * Who links to their site?
 * Altavista link:martinlutherking.org, link:www.dhmo.org


 * Are we searching for the right thing?**

Additional Information and Resources


 * [|Information Literacy Web Resources]
 * Alan's book: [|Web Literacy for Educators]

Thanks to Brian Mull for sharing his resources.