Presentation by Ian McCracken a member of the Scottish Information Literacy Community of Practice for the Cross party group on digital participation in Scotland 4th September 2013 highlighting some of the challenges pupils/students etc face.

1. Ian McCrackenIan McCracken
Founder MemberFounder Member
http://www.therightinformation.org/http://www.therightinformation.org/
(Information Skills for a 21(Information Skills for a 21stst
Century ScotlandCentury Scotland
Skills and assumptionsSkills and assumptions

2. Teacher’s Question –
“What weapons were used in
the Spanish Civil War?”
Pupil’s Answer
( copied from Yahoo Answers)
“Muskets, swords and the good
old bayonet”

4. “We will not be adding the guidance on enquiry skills
[as] there’s a lot out there and we’d expect teachers
to provide the support required”
Quote from Social Subjects Advisor in Glasgow
when concerns expressed about the Challenge pack

6. Edward Jenner – mass murderer!Edward Jenner – mass murderer!
(courtesy of Springwell School, Middlesex)(courtesy of Springwell School, Middlesex)
https://www.makewav.es/story/35968/title/edwardjenner

7. “Just Google it”

8. What do all these examples haveWhat do all these examples have
in common?in common?
Assumptions!Assumptions!

9. What’s “assumed”- 1What’s “assumed”- 1
 - That pupils have developed searching- That pupils have developed searching
skills (Whose job was/is it to teach them?)skills (Whose job was/is it to teach them?)
 - That pupils know what keywords are and- That pupils know what keywords are and
how to use them (“Isn’t it just easier to copyhow to use them (“Isn’t it just easier to copy
& paste a question into Google?”)& paste a question into Google?”)
 - That pupils know how to use a search- That pupils know how to use a search
engine (who taught them-and how?)engine (who taught them-and how?)

11. What’s assumed-2What’s assumed-2
 Accessibility of informationAccessibility of information
- Will the answer leap out at a pupil?- Will the answer leap out at a pupil?
- If pupils have just “Googled” the question, will- If pupils have just “Googled” the question, will
they know the RIGHT answer if they find it?they know the RIGHT answer if they find it?
Recently, Glasgow City Chambers showed aRecently, Glasgow City Chambers showed a
presentation from a Glasgow School as an example forpresentation from a Glasgow School as an example for
other schools wanting to commemorate the First Worldother schools wanting to commemorate the First World
War-War-

14. Recent evidenceRecent evidence
 Last year, a school librarian (Kateri Wilson)Last year, a school librarian (Kateri Wilson)
in West Lothian conducted a whole schoolin West Lothian conducted a whole school
survey-as far as I can establish-the first ofsurvey-as far as I can establish-the first of
its kind anywhere in Scotlandits kind anywhere in Scotland
 907 Pupils Responded907 Pupils Responded

23. “What concerns me is that the same
skills are needed to book flights or buy
clothes as to research academic papers.
There are assumptions made about the
ability of pupils to use the internet ”
(Part of Kateri’s analysis of the results)

24. Supporting evidence from anSupporting evidence from an
international science websiteinternational science website
evaluation:evaluation:
 In 2010, an International Consortium ofIn 2010, an International Consortium of
scientific and educational organisationsscientific and educational organisations
conducted a major survey of professionalsconducted a major survey of professionals
and young people throughout Europeand young people throughout Europe
entitled “Yosciweb: young people andentitled “Yosciweb: young people and
images of science on websitesimages of science on websites

30. What’s “assumed”-3What’s “assumed”-3
- That pupils will be able to transfer skills- That pupils will be able to transfer skills
(but Outcomes and Experiences make that very challenging)(but Outcomes and Experiences make that very challenging)
- That pupils know how to make (or take*)- That pupils know how to make (or take*)
notesnotes
-That pupils will take the time to check that-That pupils will take the time to check that
they’ve found the right answer – and not justthey’ve found the right answer – and not just
copy and paste-incipient plagiarism, perhaps?copy and paste-incipient plagiarism, perhaps?
*A clear distinction between making & taking notes is evident in the*A clear distinction between making & taking notes is evident in the
Scottish CfE, with “taking” seen as more active and thus desirableScottish CfE, with “taking” seen as more active and thus desirable

32. Some further points to considerSome further points to consider
 Pupils’ measure of success may be how quicklyPupils’ measure of success may be how quickly
they found ANY answer or how much they foundthey found ANY answer or how much they found ––
NOT whether it actually answers the questionNOT whether it actually answers the question
 Often marks are not even considered for how wellOften marks are not even considered for how well
the pupil went about the search process, or howthe pupil went about the search process, or how
“original” the answer may be -just how many“original” the answer may be -just how many
pages long it is: sopages long it is: so there is nothere is no
opportunity or incentive to learnopportunity or incentive to learn
good search skillsgood search skills

33. What can you do?What can you do?
– Use every opportunity to ensure yourUse every opportunity to ensure your
employees/students/pupils have the necessaryemployees/students/pupils have the necessary
skills (these issues don’t just affect schools orskills (these issues don’t just affect schools or
universities !)universities !)
– Encourage reflection and evaluation andEncourage reflection and evaluation and
highlight good practicehighlight good practice
– Point out implications and connectionsPoint out implications and connections
– Become more aware of the work being done byBecome more aware of the work being done by
“The Right Information” Organisation-which“The Right Information” Organisation-which
John is just going to tell you all about!John is just going to tell you all about!

34. Thank you for listeningThank you for listening
Any questions?Any questions?
Please contact me if you want to ask mePlease contact me if you want to ask me
more, or if I can help at allmore, or if I can help at all
IMcCracken@govanhigh.glasgow.sch.ukIMcCracken@govanhigh.glasgow.sch.uk