Information Handling Skills course for lifelong learners / post 16-year olds

Interactive online material which demonstrates how to use and retrieve information from a variety of sources (books, newspapers, journals, CD-ROMs and the web to name just a few) and set these within a range of scenarios/themes: Employment; Leisure; Research; Shopping and Travel. To support these five themes, 23 generic learning objects (learning bites) were identified and developed. Examples of these include planning, searching (searching for information, searching the web, Boolean searching and keywords) and evaluation (suitability and reliability of information source and currency of information). Launched in January 2004 and rolled out to Further education colleges, public libraries, schools, higher education and other SLIC (Scottish Library and Information Council) members within Scotland. 

A ‘by-product’ of the development of this material was the SQA national qualification Information Handling Skills DF9J 11 (a first of its kind in 2004 / 2005)

Information Literacy Skills study materials

Scottish Library and Information Council study materials aimed at post-16 learners – thirty generic learning objects covering the effective use of information sources. The content supports a Scottish Qualifications Authority award in Information literacy Skills F1P3 11 

Learning and Teaching Scotland’s Information Literacy material Range of interactive materials designed to help pupils (age groups (9–11, 12–14 and 15-18)) improve the ways in which they identify, gather, organise and use information. Also includes notes for teachers and the following files on the pedagogical rationale underlying the materials.

Word file: Information literacy and study skills content and structure rationale (492 KB)

PDF file: Information literacy and study skills research report (150 KB) Launched in December 2006

The Open University Library: SAFARI – Skills in Accessing, Finding, and Reviewing Information Divided into seven sections, each covering a particular aspect of information skills. Within each section, there are a series of topics to work through.

The Open University Library: Beyond Google

New online course that runs over 10 weeks and covers blogs, wikipedia, Google scholar vs subscription services; user generated content – blogs, wikis, Flickr, MySpace, YouTube; RSS, social bookmarking e.g. FURL, del.icio.us, tagging and folsonomies; the deep web and a whole lot more.

Internet Detective

Free Internet tutorial – learn to discern the good, the bad and the ugly in online searching.

PLATO – Plagiarism Teaching Online

Develops practical skills in referencing and promotes reflection on the attitudes, behaviours and situations which may lead to plagiarism. Available to purchase as a site licence by Higher and Further Education and Secondary Schools

North Ayrshire Information Literacy Toolkit (ILT)

Toolkit developed by North Ayrshire Education Resources provides a progressive outline of the literacy and information literacy skills expected at levels A – E within the 5 -14 curriculum and provides a range of generic classroom materials to reinforce skills being taught by teachers and the primary education Resource Co-ordinators in North Ayrshire Council. Launched in May 2005 the toolkit has been rolled out within North Ayrshire and is now available for sale to other local authorities.

City of Edinburgh ExPLORE Model

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 the 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 & strands: basic core skill competencies at which pupils can aim level by level (especially connects to English Language, Environmental Studies, 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]