Information Literacy is also Digital Literacy... You can't have one without the other!
This section of the site was originally created by the Information Literacy Project team as a component of PALE (Plan d’action sur la lecture à l’école) with the development of The Inquiry Process Model. Soon after, the English community expressed a need to address not only how to deal with information, but also all of the components that going online entails.
Information literacy is an integral part of digital citizenship and digital competency. Being information literate means being able to plan, search, and evaluate information in order to create and share new knowledge in a digital world. Information literacy and critical thinking are lifelong skills that we all need. Using a coherent cross-curricular inquiry process model can help our students develop these essential skills. Elements of Digital Citizenship can easily be addressed throughout an inquiry process.
Using an inquiry process model with only a few steps allows for greater understanding and chances for learners to apply the model.
Our Inquiry Process Model consists for 4 dynamic (not linear) steps:
Research has taught us many things about the teaching and learning of information literacy.
- Similar to other literacies, it is best to start young
- Using a consistent model in a variety of contexts will increase the possibility of transfer
- Practice makes perfect (it helps with memory and retention, turning actions into habits)
- Modelling the skills we hope to see is an important strategy
To help our students acquire these skills, certain strategies can make the learning process more efficient:
- Use problem-solving techniques
- Use narratives
- Zero in on the deeper meaning of the skill you are teaching
- Provide opportunities for active, authentic learning (practice does make perfect!)
Learn how the Inquiry Process is connected to the Quebec Education Program (QEP).
The Learn and Lead YouTube Channel also contains a collection of videos related to digital citizenship, the inquiry process, and the use of technology.
Select the petals below to learn more about each stage of the Inquiry Process:
References:
- American Association of School Libraries (ALA). Standards for the 21st Century Learner.
- Cook, Dani Brecher and Klipfel, Kevin Michael. (2015) How Do Our Students Learn? An Outline of a Cognitive Psychological Model for Information Literacy Instruction, References and User Services Quaterly, 55(1).
- Freeman, Edward & Lynd-Balta, Eileen. (2010). Developing Information Literacy Skills Early in an Undergraduate Curriculum. Journal of College Teaching, 58(3).
- Heider, Kelly. (2009). Information Literacy: The Missing Link in Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(6), 513-518
- Ilomäki, Liisa., Kantosalo, Anna., & Lakkala, Minna. (2011). What is digital competence? In Linked portal. Brussels: European Schoolnet.
- Shenton, Andrew, K. & Fitzgibbons, Megan. (2009). Making Information Literacy Relevant. Library Review, 59.3
- Tripp, Lisa. (2011). Digital Youth, Libraries, and New Media Literacy The Reference Librarian, 52(4)
Other Inquiry Process Models
