Information Literacy:
I've been exploring resources to help develop students' information literacy skills, guided by the National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL) infographic. I've identified and evaluated four resources that I believe would be highly beneficial for fostering information literacy in students.
1. Newsela
Where it fits in NFIL: Access
I discovered Newsela while searching for platforms that make real-world articles accessible to students at varying reading levels. It fits into the "Access" component of the NFIL infographic because it provides students with the ability to access credible, up-to-date news articles from a variety of sources, supporting their ability to find and comprehend reliable information.
Evaluation:
I included Newsela in this list because of its ability to bridge the gap between student comprehension and the complexity of authentic sources. The ability to modify reading levels for the same content supports differentiated instruction, making it particularly useful for diverse classrooms. Newsela also encourages critical thinking by incorporating quizzes and prompts that help students evaluate the credibility and relevance of information.
2. Google Scholar
Where it fits in NFIL: Evaluation, Access
Google Scholar was recommended through peer resources and offers access to academic papers and scholarly work, fitting the "Evaluation" and "Access" sections of the NFIL infographic.
Evaluation:
I chose Google Scholar because it provides students with the opportunity to access peer-reviewed research, helping them critically assess the credibility and reliability of sources. This tool aligns well with higher-level research tasks. However, it may not address "Use" as much, given that interpreting and applying academic papers can be complex for younger learners.
3. FactCheck.org
Where it fits in NFIL: Evaluation, Authority
FactCheck.org supports the "Evaluation" and "Authority" sections of the NFIL infographic, as it helps students verify the accuracy of claims made in the media and politics. I found this resource while exploring fact-checking tools recommended by other educators.
Evaluation:
This is an essential tool for teaching students how to evaluate the validity of information, especially in today’s media-driven world. FactCheck.org is valuable for learning to distinguish between biased information and factual evidence. However, it may not emphasize the "Access" or "Use" aspects as much, as it focuses on post-consumption verification.
4. EasyBib
Where it fits in NFIL: Use, Evaluation
I came across EasyBib through a library resource guide. It aligns with both "Use" and "Evaluation" in the NFIL infographic, as it helps students properly cite sources and evaluate their credibility.
Evaluation:
EasyBib is a great tool for ensuring that students are not only using credible sources but also giving appropriate credit to those sources. It simplifies the process of citation, which can be a significant challenge for students, and encourages them to use diverse, reliable resources. Its limitation is that it focuses more on the post-research process, thus offering less support for "Access."
Areas Neglected:
The resources I selected mostly neglect the "Creation" section of the NFIL infographic, which focuses on students generating their own information. This is an intentional choice, as the current focus of my students' learning is on critically evaluating existing information. However, later units could introduce content creation and digital literacy platforms like blogging tools or video production apps.