Bringing Information Literacy to Every Classroom

Shaelynn Farnsworth is a literacy technology consultant and talks about the Future of Ed Tech Librarian and Media Specialist. Let’s talk about Information Literacy.

Part two in a two-part series

In part two of Shaelynn’s interview, she touches on working with student digital natives and the importance of adults in sharing a knowledge base outside the digital tool realm. Professional learning is also addressed as Farnsworth compares the difference in working with peers at conferences vs. students in the classroom.

Understanding the Digital Environment

Today, students are used to a world filled with digital tools and apps that occupy their landscape. Everything from Uber to the internet is affecting the lives of the younger generations. Farnsworth examines the importance of adults in looking outside the digital environment to offer a more extensive knowledge base in areas that children are missing.

“Organization is a big [area.] ─ reliable, relevant sources, information literacy, and knowing the difference between sponsored context and verified accounts. All the small things we use as adults and take for granted and understand.”

Empowering Students

Students need support in not being misled by misinformation or disinformation online. Adults can help students better understand the small practices of fact-checking and as Farnsworth explains, become “healthy skeptics in knowing.” According to her, it’s not about censorship or prohibiting access but instead learning to think independently. “It’s more about empowerment in providing experiences to kids so they can use technology for [their] personal, professional, and civic lives and not be used by it. Many times, we see kids being used by technology and social media. So how can we set them up to use it?”

For adults, empowerment is emphasized in the professional development area, where Farnsworth flourishes through a natural passion for learning. “You have to be aware of adult learning processes, preferences, collaboration, goal setting, and teamwork,” she says. 

“I can’t remember who said it, but it focuses on technology as a verb rather than a noun. What do we want to do with technology that will have a lasting impact in all educators’ toolboxes? Apps and resources come and go, and when you understand how to use technology to collaborate, connect, communicate, create, and curate─then you know how to use technology effectively in the classroom.”

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