Information Literacy

I developed this literacy guide for middle school students to utilize in their research and source qualification.  The guide is a general recommendation of research and approach based around 5 main steps: Defining, decoding, evaluating, creating and communicating. 

Define/Find:

Who was the most popular poet in 2013? Who was the most popular singer in 2013?

The most important part of defining an information literacy guide is determining what you want the overall goal to be. The topic needs to be well defined, and a rubric needs to be created.   One needs to know not only what the requirements are but also how it will be evaluated.   In the case of middle school students, it may be something along the lines of online research and validated sources.  Once it is determined what the research task is, the skills of research and development begin. Various media sources can be utilized for information gathering: the internet, interviews, peers, social media, blogs, wikis, T.V. and print (newspapers, magazines, periodicals, etc.) are all sources that can utilized and validated.

Decode:

Why were these people the most popular?

Once the information gathering has begun, it is important to interpret the information to criticize.  It can be an argument in agreement with or against the information presented, but gathering it and deciphering just what the information means, and how it applies to an individual theory takes a level of critical evaluation.  There is no right or wrong when making inferences about information, however it is important to be able to back up statements with facts and details that support a hypothesis.

Evaluate:

How were they the most popular?

Once the information is gathered and organized, it needs to be evaluated and validated.  Because there are so many sources of information available to us today, not all information communicated to us is factual or legitimate.  It needs to be referenced from a validated source. Information can be cross checked virtually immediately through any of the media’s referenced above, or through multiple sources.  Generally speaking, scholarly journals and sites are considered acceptable sources; while Wikipedia, social networks and blogs may need additional clarification and facts finding to ensure the details are legitimized.  In addition, newscasts and articles may be “first release” versions and require “additional information” before all of the details are clear or validated. 

Create

What are some traits that make these individuals more successful than their peers?

Would you argue someone else in their place and why?

From here, we can create our own conclusions, and inferences from the information presented to us. We make our own argument for or against suggestions and theories presented in the research gathered.

Communicate:

Present your arguments in a PowerPoint or speech presentation.

Agree or disagree with the information gathered at this point.  Find alternative points of view and incorporate those into support of any arguments you may have.  Site any sources utilized so that authors receive credit for their work.