ExPLORE is an information literacy model which provides a framework and support materials to help students become skilled at ‘knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner’ (CILIP, 2006) It recognises:
- The National Priorities in Education, particularly No 5 Learning for Life, ‘To equip pupils with foundation skills, attitudes and expectations necessary to prosper in a changing society and to encourage creativity and ambition’.
- The need to support learning to students at different ages and stages, allowing flexibility. It recognises the same pupil will achieve skills at different levels within one school year. The 5-14 programme, guidelines and strands: basic core skills competencies at which pupils can aim level by level (especially connects to English Language, Environmental, and ICT).
- The 3-18 Curriculum for Excellence: placing ‘the pupil at the centre of the curriculum’, rather than viewing outcomes as ‘based on subjects in their own right’, so that ‘learning is about preparing young people to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.’ [Scottish Executive 3-18 Curriculum review, May 2005]
It nurtures:
-
Creative thinking by fostering confidence in the use and application of several resource media
-
Independent learning by recognising achievement on a basis of continuous improvement and formative assessment methods
-
A learning culture for life by showing the transferability of every skills to any enquiry
The model is to be further developed for the 3-18 curriculum.
Initially developed for primary schools but now being used successfully in secondary schools by secondary school librarians. Further details including backgroud to development, project aims, process and outcomes.
Contact: Val Walker (valerie.walker@ea.edin.sch.uk ) Information and Learning Resources Development Officer, Information and Learning Resources, City of Edinburgh Council’s Children and Families Department.
2008