Teaching Information Literacy

All of the reading for this week has definitely given me a lot to think about, and now that I finally have some time, I can maybe even do something about my enthusiasm for planning lessons on the topic of IL. The discussion of the Google Generation is one that is very timely, though a lot of issues regarding SLMCs have been discussed somewhere out there lately. However, just this morning, I demonstrated the usefulness of Google over other search strategies. Not intentionally, but if I'd thought of it, I would have. Google is a great tool, one which keeps adding new features and abilities, many of which I still don't know much about. But since so many students are already using Google and other similar search engines, it makes sense to build on their knowledge in this venue and then extend it to other areas, such as databases. It seems like students would have more respect for someone who lets them use their preferred methods of research (albeit with a few twists) rather than forcing them to use other, "strange" methods. This is not to say that the use of databases should not be encouraged, because there are many resources that can only be found through the use of databases, but that the two methods can work together.

One of the first steps in adding IL training to the curriculum, either in an elementary or secondary setting, is most likely educating teachers and administrators, which in my mind is the harder part of the process. Children and young adults are often more open to trying new things, particularly if they are "encouraged" to as part of an assignment. It's harder to give teachers assignments or even get enough time to try to convince them why they should be supporting what might seem like a major change in curriculum, particularly if the library has previously been seen as a "special" or babysitting. But these are some of the challenges that make this such an enticing and rewarding career, right?

And the adventure continues...

Ok, still a little overwhelmed by everything, but hopefully I will get caught up by the end of the week, as that is when my internship will be done. I can't wait until I have more time to explore some of the cool things I am discovering while visiting the websites. While looking at the different catalogs listed in the syllabus, I found some very interesting sounding books on the topic of blogs and wikis and other technologies one can use in the classroom. Unfortunately none of those titles are in a library system near me, but that's a whole 'nother issue. First I have to get through all the reading for this week, and then I can think about other reading. I'm still waiting for the copyright text to show up, as I ordered it from Amazon last week. I read the first chapter of the other one this weekend, but haven't had a chance to fully process everything. I guess that means there will (hopefully) be a more coherent post later. I'm also still having issues with Google Reader, but I'll keep trying...

Technology Ups and Downs

During one of my first free moments of the week, I am finally getting a chance to put together some of this stuff for class. Fortunately, I am already familiar with most of the sites, so setting up accounts wasn't a problem. However, in the middle of subscribing to people's blogs with Google Reader, something stops working. As seems to be a recurring theme with me and technology, I love it when it works, but when something goes wrong, it leaves me confused and frustrated. Fortunately I live with a household of computer geeks, but they are currently fixing the printer...and I'm hoping it's just a temporary problem with Google. Or it could be my computer, which recently got re-programmed and is back in its infant stage, in terms of having programs, etc. Either way, I guess I'll get back to that later. In the meantime, I guess I should go work on my profile...