Scottish Information Literacy Project
Scottish Information Literacy Project
‘Knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner’.
Information literacy has been defined by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals as: ‘Knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner’. It is not be confused with IT skills although people are often unsure about this. A book, a periodical part, a training manual, a DVD or even a well informed colleague are all sources of information. The common point is that all sources, whatever they are, should be viewed critically and objectively.
This project intends to spread an understanding of information literacy in primary and secondary schools, further and higher education, the workplace and the wider community as information literacy should be viewed as a political and social right which enables citizens to make well informed decisions about their future. Currently the project, which is led by directed by Dr John Crawford FRSA and Christine Irving, is focusing on two areas:
• The restructuring of the draft National Information Literacy Framework Scotland. This currently attributes information literacy skill levels to specific educational levels. We will extend this to include early years and primary education at one end and the workplace and lifelong learning agendas at the other
• Developing the workplace agenda. To develop the use of information to support decision making in the workplace based upon our research in this area.
Information literacy is not just about information. It is a skill which helps people to learn to learn. It helps to support transitions between education sectors: for example - from secondary to further and higher education and during higher education students learn information skills which they can apply in the workplace. It is therefore a key employability skill. This project is currently in discussion with the STUC, Skills Development Scotland, The Scottish Funding Council and Learning and Teaching Scotland to take the IL agenda forward.
Dr. John Crawford, FRSA, feels that the RSA in Scotland might be a useful ‘vehicle’ to promote information literacy as an essential workplace and employability skill. He looks forward to hearing from any Fellows interested in supporting or working collaboratively with the Scottish Information Literacy.
For full details, please visit the project website, consult the project blog or email Dr John Crawford.
‘Knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner’.
Information literacy has been defined by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals as: ‘Knowing when and why you need information, where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner’. It is not be confused with IT skills although people are often unsure about this. A book, a periodical part, a training manual, a DVD or even a well informed colleague are all sources of information. The common point is that all sources, whatever they are, should be viewed critically and objectively.
This project intends to spread an understanding of information literacy in primary and secondary schools, further and higher education, the workplace and the wider community as information literacy should be viewed as a political and social right which enables citizens to make well informed decisions about their future. Currently the project, which is led by directed by Dr John Crawford FRSA and Christine Irving, is focusing on two areas:
• The restructuring of the draft National Information Literacy Framework Scotland. This currently attributes information literacy skill levels to specific educational levels. We will extend this to include early years and primary education at one end and the workplace and lifelong learning agendas at the other
• Developing the workplace agenda. To develop the use of information to support decision making in the workplace based upon our research in this area.
Information literacy is not just about information. It is a skill which helps people to learn to learn. It helps to support transitions between education sectors: for example - from secondary to further and higher education and during higher education students learn information skills which they can apply in the workplace. It is therefore a key employability skill. This project is currently in discussion with the STUC, Skills Development Scotland, The Scottish Funding Council and Learning and Teaching Scotland to take the IL agenda forward.
Dr. John Crawford, FRSA, feels that the RSA in Scotland might be a useful ‘vehicle’ to promote information literacy as an essential workplace and employability skill. He looks forward to hearing from any Fellows interested in supporting or working collaboratively with the Scottish Information Literacy.
For full details, please visit the project website, consult the project blog or email Dr John Crawford.
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