Improving Students' Web Use and Information Literacy: A Guide for Teachers and Teacher Librarians (Facet Publications (All Titles as Published))

As a result of recent learning and teaching developments, teachers are being trained to use ICT to develop more innovative teaching methods, and students are invariably required to use electronic information resources as part of their assignments. Networked internet access is now the norm in both primary and secondary schools, available not only in the school library but in computer suites and classrooms. Teachers and school librarians are increasingly aware that information literacy is a key skill needed by today's students, who are tomorrow's workers within the knowledge economy. The need for educators to understand how to help students to become effective information users is paramount. This book offers teachers and school librarians the means to exploit the internet effectively both as a learning and a teaching resource; in particular to hone their skills in accessing the most relevant parts of the internet to provide suitable information sources to aid students' learning. It offers valuable insights into information literacy and provides helpful examples of the most effective ways of teaching information skills. The book is a vital resource for all teachers and school librarians, and is relevant in all areas of the world. It is equally of use to head teachers and to professional educators and managers up to further education level. It should be on reading lists of all education institutions offering teacher training courses. Title page 4 Contents 8 Acknowledgements 12 Introduction 14 The aims of this book 14 The structure of the book 15 Who should read this book? 16 1 The big picture: learning andteaching in today’s schools 18 Introduction 19 The purposes of education and schools 20 Learning theories 21 Teaching in schools 23 Incorporating the web into teaching 26 Collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians 30 Conclusion 30 References 31 2 Finding and using informationon the web 32 Introduction 33 Search engines 33 Effective searching 43 In-service training on effective searching 47 Conclusion 49 References 49 3 Evaluating websites 52 Introduction 53 Website evaluation criteria 53 Conclusion 61 References 62 4 Web 2.0 and schools 64 Introduction 65 What is Web 2.0? 65 Conclusion 75 References 76 5 Information literacy 78 Introduction 79 Definitions of information literacy 79 Information literacy models 80 Information literacy and transfer 87 Collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians 88 In-service training on information literacy 89 Conclusion 91 References 91 6 Improving student use of the web 94 Introduction 95 Planning for web searching 95 Using effective search strategies 96 Evaluating websites and web-based information 100 Reading for information 101 Reflecting on web use 102 Developing a personal model for web use 104 Conclusion 105 References 105 7 Developing learning websites for student use – design and tools 108 Introduction 109 Learning websites 109 Website design 110 Website development tools 115 In-service training on website design 123 Conclusion 124 References 124 8 Developing learning websites for student use – content 126 Introduction 127 Subject content 127 Developing e-pathfinders as learning websites 128 Conclusion 142 References 142 9 The next phase of ICT in schools 144 Introduction 145 21st-century skills 145 Future developments on the web 146 Future learning technologies in schools 147 Future roles for the teacher and teacher librarian 148 Developing information literate students 149 Conclusion 150 References 150 Bibliography 152 Index 158 The web is now an integral part of students'lives in school and in society, and they need to be ever more web alert in order to gain the most from their education. What teachers and teacher librarians badly need to help them achieve this is a professional tool that combines knowledge and use of the web, Web 2.0 tools and information literacy for schools. This book fulfils that need by providing a practical guide to using the web effectively in order to enhance learning and teaching in schools. It does this by focusing on the knowledge and skills needed by teachers and teacher librarians to be information literate web users and to develop these abilities in their students. It then focuses on using Web 2.0 tools to create learning resources for students which will develop them as reflective web learners as well as web users. Key areas covered include: learning and teaching in today's schools finding and using information on the web evaluating websites Web 2.0 and schools information literacy improving student use of the web developing learning websites for student use the next phase of ICT in schools. Set in a context of theory, this guide offers many examples of best practice in schools from a range of countries. Packed full with ideas which teachers and teacher librarians can use in their own schools, it is unique in providing a guide to the creation of learning websites, which combine subject learning, mediated resources for students, information literacy guidance (including effective web use), and student assignments. Readership: This much-needed book is a vital resource for teachers and teacher librarians, as well as being of strategic interest to school principals. It should be on the reading lists of all trainee teachers and librarians. The web is now an integral part of students' lives in school and in society, and they need to be ever more web alert in order to gain the most from their education. What teachers and teacher librarians badly need to help them achieve this is a professional tool that combines knowledge and use of the web, Web 2.0 tools and information literacy for schools. This book fulfils that need by providing a practical guide to using the web effectively in order to enhance learning and teaching in schools. It does this by focusing on the knowledge and skills needed by teachers and teacher librarians to be information literate web users and to develop these abilities in their students. It then focuses on using Web 2.0 tools to create learning resources for students which will develop them as reflective web learners as well as web users. Key areas covered learning and teaching in today's schools finding and using information on the web evaluating websites Web 2.0 and schools information literacy improving student use of the web developing learning websites for student use the next phase of ICT in schools. Set in a context of theory, this guide offers many examples of best practice in schools from a range of countries. Packed full with ideas which teachers and teacher librarians can use in their own schools, it is unique in providing a guide to the creation of learning websites, which combine subject learning, mediated resources for students, information literacy guidance (including effective web use), and student assignments. Readership : This much-needed book is a vital resource for teachers and teacher librarians, as well as being of strategic interest to school principals. It should be on the reading lists of all trainee teachers and librarians.