Information Literacy: Essential Skills for the Information Age

This monograph traces the history and development of the term "information literacy." It examines the economic necessity of being information literate, and explores the research related to the concept. Included are reports on the National Educational Goals (1991) and on the report of the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS, 1991). Also examined are recent revisions in national subject matter standards that imply a recognition of the process skills included in information literacy. The book outlines the impact information literacy has on K-12 and higher education, and provides examples of information literacy in various contexts. Appendices include: Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning (prepared by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology); definitions of SCANS components; a chronology of the development of information literacy; correlation of information literacy skills with selected National Subject Matter Standards; Dalbotten's Correlation of Inquiry Skills to National Content Standards; and an explanation of rubrics and their application in standards education. Contains an extensive annotated ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) bibliography and information about ERIC. (Author/AEF)