Carl Heine is developing a series of online learning games to teach elementary students the essentials of search. We’re looking for feedback and suggestions as we begin the development cycle.
We have an Information Fluency group on Joyce Valenza’s Teacher Librarian Ning where we are asking for feedback on our new elementary age games.
Please join the Ning and our group so you can participate in our beta test?
Tags: Learning Games · Technology Integration · information fluency · research
I’ve been researching and writing about Information Fluency since the turn of the century. My work is published on the 21st Century Information Fluency Portal: http://21cif.imsa.edu You’ll find modular online learning content including games, micromodules and assessments on the portal. (Free for all educators.)
I include information fluency training in all of my online classes. I introduce power searching and website investigation to the graduate students studying in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Certificate Program at UW-Stout ( http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html ) because I believe that Information Fluency is a foundation skill for all online teachers and learners.
What continually surprises me is that most educators (including those with advanced degrees) lack formal training in this field. Unless I’m working with a Library Media Specialist, most have little experience in searching, evaluating, and ethical use of digital materials.
Curiously, most educators think they are competent searchers and evaluators, when they are really just beginners. Their disposition is to ask for help rather than search for answers. With simple instruction many radically improve their ability to search, and evaluate. This is empowering and greatly increases learner satisfaction. Instruction in copyright and fair use is also part of the program.
At the same time I push the idea that it is everyone’s duty to teach website evaluation and ethical use as part of any online curriculum. Too often educators assume someone else should have done the job by the time their students walk through the door. The application of information fluency to all curriculum areas is profound. Students given even rudimentary instruction in Information Fluency immediately benefit.
As online teachers and learners we work in a computer where information is just a few keystrokes away. I hope we can promote the disposition in all online teachers and learners that skilled use of Internet resources is the essential learning skill of our times.
Dennis O’Connor
Program Advisor
E-Learning & Online Teaching
School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University
oconnord@uwstout.edu
530-318-1145 (Cell)
Skype: wiredinstructor2
Tags: 21cif · Course Design Reflections · IMSA · Learning Games · Top Posts · UW-Stout · Web 2.0 · e-learning · ethical use · evaluation · information fluency · virtual high school
Join Carl Heine and Dennis O’Connor in San Antonio for NECC 2008.
Web Site Investigator: An Introduction to Information Forensics 
[Session: Lecture]
Carl Heine, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy with Dennis O’Connor
Monday, 6/30/2008, 11:00am–12:00pm; HGCC 206 A
blog tags: necc, n08s402
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Teaching NETS•S III: 21st-Century Information Fluency Project
[Poster: Traditional]
Carl Heine, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy with Dennis O’Connor
Tuesday, 7/1/2008, 1:00pm–3:00pm; HGCC Tower View Lobby, Table: 26
blog tags: necc, n08s781
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Look for new online classes coming from Information Fluency this summer!
Tags: NETS · Web 2.0 · e-learning · evaluation · information fluency
