Educational Leadership & Policy: Information Literacy & VITL

The Department of Educational Leadership & Policy emphasizes the application of theory and research to the practice of administration in K-12 schools as well as preparation for scholarly and administrative endeavors in higher education.

Information Literacy Defined

Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information."

  • Determine the extent of information needed
  • Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
  • Evaluate information and its sources critically
  • Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
  • Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

    • Information Literacy Standards for Higher Education is the document's name. These standards were endorsed by the American Association for Higher Education (October 1999) and the Council of Independent Colleges (February 2004).

     

    Information Literacy for Educators

    Here are a few articles to get you started: 

    Asselin, Marlene, and Elizabeth Lee. 2002. I wish someone had taught me: Information literacy in a teacher education program. Teacher Librarian 30(2): 10.

    Birch, Tobeylynn, Louise Greenfield, Karen Janke, Deborah Schaeffer, and Ada Woods. 2008. Partnering with librarians to meet NCATE standards in teacher education. Education 128, no. 3: 369-379.

    Hinchliffe, Lisa Janicke. 2004. Technology and the concept of information literacy for pre-service teachers. Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian 22(1): 7-18. doi:10.1300/J103v22n01_02.

    Pappas, Marjorie. 2008. Standards for the 21st-century learner: Comparisons with NETS and state standards. School Library Media Activities Monthly 24(10): 19-26.

    Tower, Cathy. 2000. Questions that matter: Preparing elementary students for the inquiry process. The Reading Teacher 53(7): 550-57.

    You can find more articles and several books on the topic at the website, Information Literacy and Education.

    What is VITL?

    Visual, Information and Technology Literacy Task Force Report and Recommendations

    Marriott Library Eccles Library Quinney Law Library