________________________________

From: Research and evaluation across all LIS sectors on behalf of Caroline Wavell
Sent: Tue 5/9/06 13:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: For information - information literacy report available



Apologies for cross-posting 


MAKING CONNECTIONS:

 An ongoing series of studies examining the state of information literacy in UK schools 

by Professor Dorothy Williams, Caroline Wavell and Louisa Coles at the Department of Information Management, The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

Findings from a recent study are summarised below: 

Secondary school teachers participating in a recently completed study identified a number of different conceptions of student information literacy: finding information, linguistic understanding, making meaning, skills, critical awareness of sources, and independent learning conceptions.  These conceptions were influenced by the affective, cognitive and skills understanding and experiences students brought with them to a learning situation; the focus of individual activities; the priorities and sense of control to direct the information learning environment teachers experience in the classroom; and external pressures experienced by teachers. While sharing similarities with frameworks proposed by the information profession, they also reveal distinct differences. Teachers' conceptions of student information literacy did not change significantly between the two group discussions but the manner in which individual teachers reacted to their own observations and current research reflected personal characteristics and experiences.  The results of the study indicate that teachers understood information literacy to be important for lifelong learning but do not feel able to effectively support the development of information literacy in their students within their current curriculum environments.

The final report of this research "Information Literacy in the Classroom: Secondary School Teachers' Conceptions", funded by the Society for Educational Studies, August 2004 - July 2005, is available online: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/abs/research/page.cfm?pge=13088 <http://www.rgu.ac.uk/abs/research/page.cfm?pge=13088>  

This study was followed up by research looking at how a teacher and librarian in one school planned and supported the development of information literacy in a small group of students, "Untangling Spaghetti? The Complexity of Developing Information Literacy in Secondary School Students", funded by the Scottish Executive Education Department.  This study has already provided useful insights and the final report will be available soon.

Both these studies extend the empirical research conducted over a number of years by the research team, looking at The Impact of the School Library Resource Centre on Learning; The Use of Research by Teachers: information literacy, access and attitudes; and two literature reviews looking at the Impact of School Library Services on Achievement and Learning.  More information on all projects can be found on the RGU Information Management Department's research web pages: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/abs/research/page.cfm?pge=5843 <http://www.rgu.ac.uk/abs/research/page.cfm?pge=5843>  


.................................................... 
Caroline Wavell 
Research Assistant 
Department of Information Management 
Aberdeen Business School 
The Robert Gordon University 
Garthdee Road, Aberdeen  AB10 7QE 
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> , 01224 263886