Information Literacy Beyond the Classroom
A Skill for Life
Andrew Whitworth(Author)
Chandos Publishing (Oxford) Ltd
Published on 1. October 2008
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-1-84334-450-6 (ISBN)
Description
This book is an exploration of information literacy and ICT skills education from the point of view of social and political theory. It uses these theories both to argue why the idea of information literacy is so important in the 21st century, and also to develop some teaching strategies to this end. The book argues that only through expanding the range of information literacy education - taking it beyond just formal school and university education and into homes, friendship networks and workplaces - can we construct an effective educational response to information technology in the 21st century. Information literacy includes, but transcends, ICT skills and ultimately is about being politically, socially and communicatively competent in an information society.Although this is a book about 'education', it argues that we need to start thinking of education as something done by families, friends, workmates and society as a whole, as well as schools and colleges. Each chapter introduces the readers to some social and political theory, but in ways accessible to a lay audience.
To complement each section, 'think tasks' and practical exercises will help the readers apply the insights in their personal contexts.
This book is an exploration of information literacy and ICT skills education from the point of view of social and political theory. It uses these theories both to argue why the idea of information literacy is so important in the 21st century, and also to develop some teaching strategies to this end. The book argues that only through expanding the range of information literacy education - taking it beyond just formal school and university education and into homes, friendship networks and workplaces - can we construct an effective educational response to information technology in the 21st century. Information literacy includes, but transcends, ICT skills and ultimately is about being politically, socially and communicatively competent in an information society.Although this is a book about 'education', it argues that we need to start thinking of education as something done by families, friends, workmates and society as a whole, as well as schools and colleges. Each chapter introduces the readers to some social and political theory, but in ways accessible to a lay audience.
To complement each section, 'think tasks' and practical exercises will help the readers apply the insights in their personal contexts.
To complement each section, 'think tasks' and practical exercises will help the readers apply the insights in their personal contexts.
This book is an exploration of information literacy and ICT skills education from the point of view of social and political theory. It uses these theories both to argue why the idea of information literacy is so important in the 21st century, and also to develop some teaching strategies to this end. The book argues that only through expanding the range of information literacy education - taking it beyond just formal school and university education and into homes, friendship networks and workplaces - can we construct an effective educational response to information technology in the 21st century. Information literacy includes, but transcends, ICT skills and ultimately is about being politically, socially and communicatively competent in an information society.Although this is a book about 'education', it argues that we need to start thinking of education as something done by families, friends, workmates and society as a whole, as well as schools and colleges. Each chapter introduces the readers to some social and political theory, but in ways accessible to a lay audience.
To complement each section, 'think tasks' and practical exercises will help the readers apply the insights in their personal contexts.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
OXford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Elsevier Science & Technology
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84334-450-6 (9781843344506)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Andrew Whitworth
Information Obesity
E-Book
02/2009
Chandos Publishing (Oxford) Ltd
€65.95
Available for download
Person
Dr Whitworth has a PhD in social and political theory from Leeds University in the UK as well as a background in teaching ICT and information literacy both at Leeds and (since 2005) Manchester universities. He has previously published several articles and book chapters on critical theory, ICT skills and information literacy (e.g. in New Library World and in Change and Challenge (ed. Susie Andretta, 2007)).
Dr Whitworth has a PhD in social and political theory from Leeds University in the UK as well as a background in teaching ICT and information literacy both at Leeds and (since 2005) Manchester universities. He has previously published several articles and book chapters on critical theory, ICT skills and information literacy (e.g. in New Library World and in Change and Challenge (ed. Susie Andretta, 2007)).
Dr Whitworth has a PhD in social and political theory from Leeds University in the UK as well as a background in teaching ICT and information literacy both at Leeds and (since 2005) Manchester universities. He has previously published several articles and book chapters on critical theory, ICT skills and information literacy (e.g. in New Library World and in Change and Challenge (ed. Susie Andretta, 2007)).
Content
Introduction - who this book is for and why it addresses multiple identities (teachers, parents, friends, workmates); What is information? - the unique characteristics of information as a resource; the economic, social and personal value of information - and the differences between these; What is information technology? - computers, the information society, and their impacts; 'ICT skills education' - one educational response to information technology; but with very limited possibilities; Critical theory and information literacy - from 'ICT skills' to a deeper understanding of information and its role in our lives; what it means to be an information literate citizen, and why this is important; Examples and cases - for example - home education, adult learners, political campaigning; Conclusion - the need to think of education as also existing outside the school and university; challenges that the information literacy activist will face.