Real and Relevant - Information Literacy Skills for the 21st century Learner

The influence of texts combining print, sound, moving images and graphics has highlighted that the ability to locate, evaluate and organise information from a variety of sources is vital for today’s learner who is exposed to a vast array of information.  Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes direct practitioners to help learners find and use information effectively, to use information ethically and with a critical eye.

This seminar is most suitable for those involved with upper primary pupils, and for those who wish to look at on of the more challenging areas of Curriculum for Excellence. The seminar covers:

• Clarity of purpose –  helping learners focus on what they want to find out and linking this to what they know already
• Selecting resources – the most appropriate sources of information for the task
• Using features of texts to locate information
• Using search engines and Boolean methods – locating information more efficiently using keywords and different ways of searching
• Organising and selecting information – Skimming and scanning, interpreting information, selecting valid points, taking notes
• Evaluating information – Recognising when sources seek to influence us, criteria used to evaluate information

Louise has a broad experience of teaching at different stages throughout the primary school. Her work in school led to a secondment as a literacy tutor for GCC. In this role she provided advice, support and strategic direction to teachers and senior managers throughout Glasgow. Responsibilities included the development and delivery of in-service programmes on reading, writing and formative assessment, and the demonstration of close reading strategies to practitioners.

Most recently at LTS she has played a key role in the writing of Literacy and English outcomes for CfE, and has engaged with authorities across Scotland as to how to take the framework forward.

Louise is also the Project Manager of the successful national programme, Scotland Reads, where young volunteers are trained in paired reading techniques and provide support for pupils in over sixty schools. Her current interests include helping learners to develop the essential literacy skills that they will need to participate effectively in our rapidly changing world.