Information literacy is a complex subject that finally arrived at the doorstep of school libraries. For decades academic researchers have been trying to capture the essence of information literacy, its educational, cognitive and civic value.
The collection of book chapters offered in "We Can Teach That" is a handbook that can be used as an inspiration for teaching various types of literacy: visual, digital, multicultural, health and more. The book asks important questions: When do we start teaching information literacy? How do we teach it? How does it affect our students at their education level? How does it prepare them for their post high school adult life? Does it impact their transition to college or career?
Dziedzic-Elliott and her collaborators provide a range of best practices and concepts that inspire thinking about teaching information literacy at all levels. Although written with school librarians in mind, the book can be easily adapted by teachers, school administrators and even public librarians who are looking to incorporate information literacy elements in their daily practices.
The book challenges the reader to rethink what they know about digital or tech literacy, breaks some stereotypical concepts about multicultural literacy and highlights the importance of literacies even in adulthood.
Industry Reviews
We Can Teach That offers actionable strategies for launching meaningful collaborations, tailoring evaluation methods, and spearheading professional development. This volume is a vital toolkit for school librarians aiming to convert their spaces into vibrant centers of learning and creativity - and how to tell the story of their impact and importance. It is an essential companion for school library advocates to positively influence the trajectory of education. --John Chrastka, executive director, EveryLibrary We Can Teach That: Information Literacy for School Librarians is a valuable resource for school librarians at all grade levels and for school library educators. The essays provide a variety of perspectives as well as practical examples to enable school librarians to say 'yes, we can and do teach that' and to support their leadership in teaching information literacy in their schools." --Kathy Lester, past president, American Association of School Librarians With the dramatic increase in misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, the need to teach students information literacy skills has never been more important. Dziedzic-Elliott's We Can Teach That: Information Literacy for School Librarians is a welcome and timely work that tackles this critical topic, and is particularly useful as school librarians are re-thinking what types of information literacy skills are needed as generative AI and other technologies change the information landscape. The book draws together leading school and academic librarians and library scholars who offer thought-provoking chapters that provide illustrative examples, practical strategies, activities, and other suggestions for teaching all types of information literacy (visual, media, health, technological, multicultural) to students from toddlers through to college. --Sandra Hirsh, associate dean for academics, College of Professional and Global Education, San Jose State University