ARE we really information-literate? In information technology it seems the traditional wisdom and skills of the librarian and researcher have been neglected while the wizardry of the network manager has bemused us.
Research-based advice on overcoming this problemfrom the US Department for Education can be found in Understanding Information Literacy at http:www.ed.govpubsUnderLitindex.html
The report’s author, Barbara Humes, writes: “Schools need to integrate information literacy skills across the curriculum.” This means actively coaching children - not just letting them loose on the Internet. She says classroom time will have to be allocated to teach information skills, in collaboration with librarians and information specialists. A useful list of research and other bibliographic references is provided at http:www.ed.govpubsUnderLitreferences.html
Readers can email suggestions on future Internet Insights to J.P.Saunders@leeds.ac.uk
