Information Literacy in virtual worlds: part 2

This is for presentation at Information Literacy with Web 2.0 and is part of a page at http://www.netvibes.com/sheilawebber#Using_virtual_worlds
Information literacy in virtual worlds: Pt 2
Sheila Webber,
Department of Information Studies
Sheffield University, UK
July 2009

Part 2: Second Life and Information Literacy
Sheila Webber, July 2009

Supporting “real life” IL in SL
Raising awareness of RL tools (catalogue, databases etc.) & library service
Teaching people about IL, using SL objects, chat, PowerPoint etc
Answering IL-related questions (on the “reference desk”)
Using SL for quests and activities: learners solving information problems using web resources and SL
Using SL to provoke discussion & reflection about what information and IL mean
Working in partnership with librarians, academics, educational developers & technologists
“The library has developed the island Solent Life 2. This is a library skills island …” Emery, in Kirriemuir (2009)

Information tools inworld: 1 - Search in SL

2 - Avatar info in SL

IL models & tools in SL
Complete models – more holistic understanding & examples
Tools/quizzes/information related to specific aspects of IL
“Webquests” (using information just from SL or information from outside SL)
Tools etc. related to specific library resources
Learners can assemble and create 3D displays to show their understanding (e.g. an eco-friendly house with information embedded in the washing machine, the solar panels etc)
The 3D aspect may help them to think about what information means in different formats

The library garden at the University of Nottingham includes numerous embedded notecards which explains parts of the research process

Knowhow island
Example of activities on Knowhow Island e.g. To help understand Boolean logic, to improve evaluation skills
Purple OR orange

Model of the SCONUL 7 Pillars of Information Literacy, using the problem “Should we panic about bird flu?” for examples for each pillar – some of the content is student work. Model built by Sheila Webber/Yoshikawa

Showing how information is embedded through notecards which pop out when you click , and through web links (click the object to be offered a web link)

This is being adapted and developed into a build focusing on problems/questions about H1 N1 (Swine flu) see the section on the http://infolitischool.pbworks.com/ site if you are interested in this project
This will be used to discuss the whole process of solving an information problem, as a focus for an information quest related to H1N1, for activities focusing on one particular pillar etc.

Now!
I hope this has given a flavour of why it might be worth experimenting with virtual worlds
There is lots of information out there – slideshows, videos, wikis, articles
You can also contact me if you want to say to say hello to someone in Second Life!