Improving Students' Web Use and Information Literacy: A Guide for Teachers and Teacher Librarians

The web is now an integral part of students’ lives in school and in society, and they need to be ever more web alert in order to gain the most from their education. What teachers and teacher librarians badly need to help them achieve this is a professional tool that combines knowledge and use of the web, Web 2.0 tools and information literacy for schools. This book fulfils that need by providing a practical guide to using the web effectively in order to enhance learning and teaching in schools. It does this by focusing on the knowledge and skills needed by teachers and teacher librarians to be information literate web users and to develop these abilities in their students. It then focuses on using Web 2.0 tools to create learning resources for students which will develop them as reflective web learners as well as web users. Key areas covered include: learning and teaching in today’s schools finding and using information on the web evaluating websites Web 2.0 and schools information literacy improving student use of the web developing learning websites for student use the next phase of ICT in schools. Set in a context of theory, this guide offers many examples of best practice in schools from a range of countries. Packed full with ideas which teachers and teacher librarians can use in their own schools, it is unique in providing a guide to the creation of learning websites, which combine subject learning, mediated resources for students, information literacy guidance (including effective web use), and student assignments. Readership: This much-needed book is a vital resource for teachers and teacher librarians, as well as being of strategic interest to school principals. It should be on the reading lists of all trainee teachers and librarians.

Table of Contents:
Introduction The aims of this book The structure of the book Who should read this book? 1. The big picture: learning and teaching in today’s schools Introduction The purposes of education and schools Learning theories Teaching in schools Incorporating the web into teaching Collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians Conclusion References 2. Finding and using information on the web Introduction Search engines Effective searching In-service training on effective searching Conclusion References 3. Evaluating websites Introduction Website evaluation criteria Conclusion References 4. Web 2.0 Introduction What is web 2.0 Conclusion References 5. Information literacy Introduction Definitions of information literacy Information literacy models Information literacy and transfer Collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians In-service training on information literacy Conclusion References 6. Improving student use of the web Introduction Planning for web searching Using effective search strategies Evaluating websites and web-based information Reading for information Reflecting on web use Developing a personal model for web use Conclusion References 7. Developing learning websites for student use – design and tools Introduction Learning websites Website design Website development tools In-service training on website design Conclusion References 8. Developing learning websites for student use – content Introduction Subject content Developing e-pathfinders as learning websites References 9. The next phase of ICT in schools Introduction 21st-century skills Future developments on the web Future learning technologies in schools Future roles for the teacher and teacher librarian Developing information literate students Conclusion References Bibliography

About the Author :
James E Herring PhD MA(Lib) MA(Hons) is a Lecturer in Teacher Librarianship at the School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University, Australia who teaches from his home in Scotland for most of the year. He is an internationally acclaimed authority on information literacy and ICT in schools.

Review :
"This should be added to everyone’s professional bookshelf and their library collections for others to access. More than one would be preferable in a school library so that those keen staff members who have been inspired by their teachers can take it, digest it and use it." - Access "...well laid out and clearly written...a valuable resource...I would recommend this book to librarians, teachers and school managers who want to ensure their students have the information skills they will need in today's society." - New Library World "This should be added to everyone’s professional bookshelf and their library collections for others to access. More than one would be preferable in a school library so that those keen staff members who have been inspired by their teachers can take it, digest it and use it." - Access "...well laid out and clearly written...a valuable resource...I would recommend this book to librarians, teachers and school managers who want to ensure their students have the information skills they will need in today's society." "Each well-structured chapter follows the same format stating clearly its scope, with individual introductions followed by helpful headings, and completed with conclusions re-emphasising the coverage, supported by lists of references. There is of course a comprehensive index, and the chapter references are compiled together to form the bibliography, which in itself makes for an interesting read...here is a book that should be passed around the staffroom to various members whether they are practitioners and teachers or those deciding on the curriculum content." "Herring teaches the teacher and the librarian about the continuing importance of strengthening the information literacy skills of all students whilst continuing to strengthen their own. He includes useful suggestions for in-service training, does not expect teachers to implement changes all at once, but encourages and persuades, lending a helping hand with plenty of excellent references, resources and ideas. This book will soon become an indispensable tool for teachers, teacher librarians and librarians alike. Web proficiency and information literacy are skills that we cannot afford to ignore, both as a society and as those responsible for the teaching of young people. Herring provides a much needed guide to ensuring that we continue to do our very best to remain web and technology savvy amid the process of strengthening the education of young people." "This book is packed with brief but enlightening case studies; the perfect learning tool for any busy teacher or teacher librarian. It is visually attractive with plenty of screen shots enabling the reader to see at a glance the layout or appearance of a lesson plan, a web page and other useful materials. Herring outlines for the librarian and the teacher the continuing importance of strengthening the information literacy skills of students whilst at the same time strengthening their own. He includes useful suggestions for in-service training but does not expect teachers to implement changes all at once. He encourages and persuades, providing help via plenty of excellent references, resources and ideas. Herring’s book is an ideal resource for teachers and teacher librarians, a useful and accessible tool, a quick guide to the best use of emerging technologies in a school environment."