Infobase’s Information Literacy Toolkit

Infobase’s Information Literacy Toolkit

Infobase’s Information Literacy Toolkit

Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning.
Scroll down for resources that celebrate and support diversity—and so much more!—at all levels, covering:

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Databases 101: Embedding Database Instruction into the Classroom—Going Beyond Information Literacy

WATCH AND LEARN!

How many students hear, “Don’t use Google! Use a database!” and immediately open a Google tab anyway? Students have used Google for all of their lives and naturally want to use what they’re familiar with. Databases, while often just as easy to use as Google, sometimes require instruction to show students how to get the most out of them. Given how the best databases feature vetted information—far superior to the questionable grab bag of Google—it is well worth taking a little time to show students how to use them. Teachers may feel hesitant to add this instruction to an already jam-packed curriculum. Join librarian and teacher Jamie Gregory as she shows you the basics of how you can use databases to your advantage in both the classroom and the school library.

Creating Equitable Classroom Libraries: Core Principles from School Librarians

While classroom teachers understand the importance and impact of classroom libraries, recent waves of book censorship create confusion and fear about the materials they make available to students. To ensure thoughts and opinions can be communicated without the banning of books, who better to turn to than your school librarian? Join librarian and teacher Jamie Gregory to learn how to ensure that equity, diversity, and intellectual freedom are the foundations of your classroom library, and how you can be confident in the face of book censorship.

Debunking & Prebunking: Strategies for Librarians to Combat Misinformation

Interest in combating misinformation has exploded in the past decade, and many scholars and public figures have claimed that libraries should play an important role in slowing the spread of false claims. However, much of the research around correcting misinformation comes from other fields, such as psychology and education. Researchers have begun to develop debunking and “prebunking” strategies for misinformation that do not seem to have widespread adoption among librarians. Join Mandi Goodsett, Performing Arts & Humanities Librarian at Cleveland State University, and Evan Meszaros, Research & Engagement Librarian at Case Western Reserve University, as they describe misinformation interventions from the literature, as well as how this research can be used to improve instruction & programming on misinformation and more!

Redesigning Research: Information NONoverload!

If you want to amp up the research project game and leave behind the traditional PowerPoint and lecture, join librarian Naomi Bates as she navigates through a new perspective on teaching how to research that is based on participation and information NONoverload. In one lesson, students can become engaged in a research project while learning all about how to navigate through information from databases.

The New Basics: Practical Approaches to Media and News Literacy

Educators in today’s world are well aware of the importance of media and news literacy but may feel overwhelmed, intimidated, or even unsupported when contemplating how to incorporate these concepts into their classrooms. School librarians are prepared to advocate for such instruction, but the ever-evolving information landscape may make such instruction a daunting undertaking. Join us for this webinar, where award-winning librarian and teacher Jamie Gregory provides tips on how to navigate that changing landscape.

Serving All Communities: Navigating the Banned Books, Censorship & Intellectual Freedom Debates

A DISCUSSION WITH EDUCATION LEADERS

We are living in a time when freedom of speech, intellectual freedom, and the rights of individuals are vigorously debated daily. Local opinions about what books can be read and what words can be spoken are destabilizing forces in the day to day of educators and librarians across the country. Whether personally agreeing or disagreeing with the political machinations in individual towns and cities, librarians and educators still need to support every student, parent, and community member as their professions require. But how? Join us for a panel discussion with library and education leaders where we share firsthand experiences and strategies to navigate these turbulent political times. Bring your questions, share your stories, and join the conversation.

Why Asking Why Is Important: Building Inquiry Skills to Battle Fake News

Free Lateral Reading Workshop

LEARN HOW TO USE THIS IMPORTANT STRATEGY!

Teaching Information Evaluation with Lateral Reading, with Jenny Dale, Information Literacy Coordinator at UNCG.

Recent research has shown that lateral reading—the act of leaving a source to learn more about the source—is an efficient and effective first step in evaluating online sources. It helps us understand the sources we come across better because it puts sources in context, and adding this strategy to our source evaluation toolkit can help us identify potential issues with sources and avoid misinformation. Come learn why it’s important and how you can integrate it into your media literacy classes, training sessions, programs, and/or curricula.

Practical Strategies for Teaching about Health Misinformation

Health misinformation is rampant in today’s information environment, and it is especially difficult to approach in the classroom. Medical and scientific topics are inherently complex and nuanced. Misinformation can come in many different formats, from memes to viral videos to articles. And certain health and medical topics—particularly vaccines—have become politicized. All these factors create potential pitfalls for educators who are trying to equip their students with critical-thinking skills.

In this webinar, Vanessa Otero—founder of Ad Fontes Media, which produces the famous Media Bias Chart®—will cover practical strategies for teaching about health misinformation. She will demonstrate how you can help students spot common rhetorical devices in misinformation content and then go over specific, current examples of such content. Analyzing real content will leave you feeling prepared to both tackle medical rumors and conspiracies with your students head-on and teach them how to find reliable health information.

Groundbreaking Whitepapers and Case Studies for All Levels

The Credo IL Strategy Handbook, Second Edition (College)

The First-Year Experience may be different for students transitioning this year. With so many U.S. students learning virtually since midway through their high school senior year, it is obvious that the first-year transition for those who proceed to higher education will be unlike any before. Serving the new and returning student, whether in-person or remote, Infobase is here to help provide insight into the first year and offer resources to support librarians and instructors during these ever-evolving times.

No Discovery? No Problem. How One College Library in Quebec Is Building Smart Researchers with Credo Reference (College)

Teaching students how to research effectively is challenging but research instruction creates a foundation that they can use throughout their lives. Nicole Haché, Librarian at Champlain College Saint-Lambert’s George Wallace Library in Quebec, shares her experience and ideas on basic research instruction for her college’s first-year students.

School Library Journal Four Ways to Improve Digital Citizenship Education (K–12)

Digital citizenship skills are essential, and that’s particularly true now that many students are learning online during the pandemic. Yet, a School Library Journal survey, sponsored by Infobase, of K–12 educators and librarians across the U.S. suggests that schools aren’t focusing enough attention on teaching students how to become responsible digital citizens

School Library Journal Preparing Students for Lifelong Success (K–12)

Many college freshmen lack basic information literacy skills. To get an idea of what stands behind these shortcomings, we worked with secondary school librarians to gain their insight into the literacy gap and its possible solutions. In this white paper, school librarians share how they meet the challenges of teaching Information Literacy. Learn about the importance of IL skills for college prep and how to improve them.

News Literacy Workshop

Check out our free 4-part workshop, which includes skill-building webinars and accompanying blog posts, with news literacy expert Vanessa Otero of Ad Fontes Media.

Rave Review of Vanessa Otero’s Webinars:
“I’ve been in journalism and communications as well as teaching for some years and have never encountered such an excellent teaching resource and workshop delivery. Excellent in every way.”—Rita E. Creane, Writer-Educator

Infobase’s Information Literacy Products

Infobase offers a variety of products covering all facets of information literacy for all levels, including IL skill-builder videos, quizzes, and articles; professional development and training courses; trustworthy, vetted news services; unbiased pro/con content; curated reference databases; and much more.