Dear all,

Apologies for cross posting, but colleagues may be interested in the
following call for chapters and reviewers for a volume of academic
papers and case studies on Information and Media Literacy.

for further details please see:

http://infoliteracy.ispress.org/


regards

Marcus

-----------------------------------------------------------
Call for chapters / reviewers
Issues in Information and Media Literacy

Introduction

The editors of Issues in Information and Media Literacy, a volume of
case studies and academic papers to be published by the Informing
Science Institute, invite chapters on a range of issues related to
information and media literacy.  We also seek colleagues from all fields
involved with this area who are willing to provide quality reviews of
submitted chapters in a timely manner (please see below).

Information and media literacy (media literacy is often subsumed into
information literacy and this volume considers both) is regarded by many
as a cornerstone for full participation in the ‘Information Society’.
Moreover it is increasingly widely recognised as an important area of
educational practice, social activism, public policy and academic
research.

Even though the terms information literacy and media literacy have a
relatively short history (media literacy has been around considerably
longer than information literacy) they have attracted considerable
attention from a wide range of academic disciplines and are considered
key topics in many areas of academic study including education,
information science, librarianship, mass communications, planning,
political science and sociology amongst many others.  Moreover,
information and media literacy is a field of key interest to numerous
educationalists, civil society activists, non-governmental
organisations, international development agencies and supra-governmental
organisations.

This book will bring together accounts from practitioners,
educationalists, academics and others in an innovative, exciting and
mutually informing manner. The text will offer a fresh interdisciplinary
approach to the issues and aims to identify new areas of practice and
research. The book will be widely available in print through online book
retailers including Amazon and available free in electronic format
online.

Information and Media Literacy

While the terms information and media literacy are widely used it is
interesting to note that no single definition that is accepted by all
exists. Indeed defining what information or media literacy actually
refers to is one of the key fracture points in the field and spawns much
debate. Most definitions agree that information and media literacy
refers to a set of central skills that are best developed in tandem.
Whilst not definitive list, many accounts state that an information
literate person will be able to:

   * recognise the need for;
   * access;
   * analyse or interpret;
   * critically evaluate; and
   * communicate

information in a variety of forms in various media.

For example, the UNESCO-sponsored Meeting of Experts on Information
Literacy in Prague in 2003 proffers that:

"Information Literacy encompasses knowledge of one's information
concerns and needs, and the ability to identify, locate, evaluate,
organize and effectively create, use and communicate information to
address issues or problems at hand." (US National Commission on Library
and Information Science, 2003)

Beyond this basic premise however consensus breaks down a little and
numerous questions arise:

   * How best to promote and action information and media literacy?
   * Is information and media literacy an end in itself?
   * What models of learning and even politics underpin it?
   * Is there a difference between information and media literacy and
information skills?
   * What actual strategies and activities to teach / encourage /
develop information and media literacy work best?


These questions amongst many others noThis volume seeks to bring together
accounts of the latest programmes,
practical activities and research in the field. We wish to share good
practice and to set new directions in research. We are keen to receive
submissions in two forms:

  1. Academic papers that detail original research and activities in
the field. Submitted papers should be original, have not been published
elsewhere and will be double blind peer-reviewed. Full chapters
(guideline 5000-7000 words) are invited.

  2. Discussions, descriptions and case studies of activities,
programmes and initiatives that address issues of information and media
literacy. Submitted papers may detail specific activities and
strategies, offer a broader view or be a call for action on specific
issue. We are particularly keen to receive submissions from
practitioners in the field, educators and those involved in setting and
implementing policy. Submitted papers should offer substantive new
information, detail a successful (or unsuccessful) initiative or offer a
fresh perspective. Chapters will be reviewed and final submissions are
to concur with a specific house template. Full chapters (5000-7000
words) are invited.

Indicative topics:

In addition to the topics listed below we are keen to receive fresh and
innovative approaches and areas. This may include:

   * Case studies, discussions and descriptions of information and
media literacy related activities;
   * New models and theoretical aspects of information and media
literacy;
   * Defining information and media literacy;
   * Future directions in information and media literacy;
   * The information society;
   * Developing critical approaches;
   * Pedagogic issues;
   * The business case for information and media literacy;
   * Economic aspects of information and media literacy;
   * Information and media literacy in K12 / compulsory education;
   * Information and media literacy beyond compulsory education;
   * Information and media literacy in higher education;
   * Developing ‘expertise’ in information and media skills
   * Skills versus knowledge-based approaches;
   * The history of information and media literacy;
   * The philosophy of information and media literacy;
   * The sociology of information and media literacy;
   * Political issues;
   * Information and media literacy skills based approaches;
   * Technical issues;
   * Information and media literacy in developing societies;
   * Information and media literacy in community development;
   * Citizenship in the information society;
   * Public policy;
   * Non-governmental organisations and the non-state sector;

Submission Details

The language of the book is English. All chapters must be original,
unpublished, and not currently under review by any other publication or
conference.

By submitting the manuscript for consideration, authors stipulate that
they hold the copyright to the manuscript and, upon acceptance, transfer
it to the Informing Science Institute. Authors also agree to assume all
liability in case of copyright dispute.

   * Authors may submit a short proposal (1000 words max) for
clarification of whether their submission will ‘fit’ the book.    
Proposals should be sent direct to the editor at
[log in to unmask] by 15th November 2007.
   * Full chapters to be submitted by 31st December, 2007 using the
process detailed below.
   * All submitted chapters will be double-blind reviewed.
   * Authors will receive feedback from reviewers by 28th February
2008.
   * Authors of accepted chapters will then have a further opportunity
to refine their work, based upon the comments of the reviewers and the
editor.
   * Chapter revisions must be submitted by 18th April 2008.
   * A final acceptance notification will be issued by 19th May 2008.
   * Camera-ready submissions submitted by 30th June 2008.

The book is scheduled to be published by the Informing Science Press in
2008.

Further details as they becomSubmission protocol
Full chapters should be submitted in the following manner.

  1. Strip from the submission the authors' names, affiliations, and
any other information that identify the authors. This allows your
manuscript to be blind reviewed.
  2. Manuscripts submissions are accepted only in RTF or Word .doc
format via the website http://ilsubmit.ispress.org/

Summary of key dates

Proposals                                              15th November
2007

Full chapters                                          31st December
2007

Initial decisions and feedback                   28th February 2008

Chapter revisions submitted                     18th April 2008

Final acceptance notification                    19th May 2008

Camera-ready submission                        30th June 2008

CALL FOR REVIEWERS

Volunteers for chapter reviewers are also welcomed and we encourage a
mutually supporting approach.  To volunteer, please complete the form at
URL
http://ilsubmit.ispress.org/review/signup.php with your particulars and
preferences.