Developing Information Literacy in Adult Learners

Due to an increase in digital technology, informational literacy is becoming a key part of our educational landscape. It is important to foster informational literacy in students, but it further complicates education, especially for adults. The increased bond between effective use of technology and informational literacy often adds layers of difficulty for students who are digital immigrants. Many of the students in the speaker’s classes are adults and instructing them to use technology effectively has become a key component of class. In the presentation, the speaker will discuss ways in which informational literacy has been developed in students at a local adult learning center. The speaker will discuss ways in which lesson plans have changed to focus not only on information gathering but also information evaluation. The speaker will recommend authentic activities that tie informational literacy with problems students face outside of class and class field trips to local libraries, so students can learn research skills and learn new ways to approach information in an increasing digital age. In addition, the speaker will also present ways in which the adult learning center is meeting students at their point of need through the development of a computer lab where students can practice digital research and composition. The presentation will leave attendees with new ways to foster informational literacy by actively engaging adult learners