BLOGS > APRIL 7, 2020
BY DR. KRISTEN MATTSON
Information is everywhere. It is abundant. Limitless. In general, we are hungry for information. We seek the latest facts, figures, headlines and stories about the topics and issues most important to us. We worry about missing something valuable.
During times of uncertainty – a global pandemic, a disastrous weather event, a school shooting – we find comfort in consuming the news, in understanding the smallest of details, in finding the answers to our lingering questions. When it comes to making important decisions – about the health of our children, before making a large purchase, or contemplating who to vote for in an upcoming election – we find ourselves reading and seeking and rereading and sharing as we weigh our options and attempt to make the best choices for ourselves, our families and our communities.
At times like these, the connectedness we share through technology and the ease in which information is created, shared and consumed can be both a blessing and a curse. The constant flow of content in the form of written word, video, audio and even meme can quickly become overwhelming. This steady stream of proverbial noise requires our brains to do a lot of heavy lifting as we sort through it all. What can I believe? Who can I trust? How can I help others get better at sifting through it all too?
Information literacy is more important than ever. Unfortunately, many have watered down the complexities of our current information landscape into “real news” and “fake news” – often labeling sources as such based solely on whether it affirms or refutes their already-held biases or viewpoints. Misinformation, however, is much more complicated than these two binary constructs, and if we want to build the skills of our students and our communities, we must teach the nuances of misinformation.
I hope you will join me for a free webinar titled, “Information Literacy in Today’s World: A Pandemic, Fake News, and Elections,” on Tuesday, April 14, at 2:00pm CST. During the webinar, I will break down misinformation into five distinct types, help you understand how misinformation is designed to spread, what motivates people to share it, and several tips and tools that can help you and your students be even better at navigating today’s information landscape confidently.
DR. KRISTEN MATTSON
Dr. Mattson is an award-winning writer, library advocate, digital citizenship expert and talented presenter. With experience as a classroom teacher as well as a librarian, Mattson learned early on to balance every learning experience with the most current and relevant research, personal experiences from the field, and opportunities for participants to engage, reflect, interact, and apply. She transformed a 40-year old school library in both space and practice into a 21st-century learning center, where she partners with teachers in all content areas to integrate digital literacy, research, and innovation into the classroom. Her library epitomizes every aspect of the Future Ready Framework, and she and supports fellow librarians by hosting site visits, facilitating professional development, blogging, and moderating the Future Ready Librarians Facebook group. She is a contributing author of International Handbook of Media Literacy Education (Routledge, 2017). You can follow her blog here: https://drkmattson.com.
8 Steps to Creating a New School Library
January 21, 2025
Creating a new school library from scratch is a monumental task, but with the right vision and approach, it can become a vibrant hub for students and staff! During a Follett Content webinar, librarian Rachel Weatherford shared her journey of...
Read more
5 Reasons to Celebrate the Love of Reading with an Online Book Fair This Valentine's Day
January 20, 2025
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while it’s a time to celebrate love and affection, it’s also the perfect opportunity to ignite a passion for reading among students. This year, why not host an online book fair during the...
Read more
Choosing the Right Texts for Diverse Learners: A Guide for Educators
January 20, 2025
As a former classroom teacher, there are few things as near and dear to my heart as my collection of books. I’d be willing to bet that I’m not alone in that sentiment. But as important as it is to...
Read more
You've Been Virtually Book'd! Choice Boards from Shannon McClintock Miller
January 15, 2025
We love the Choice Boards Teacher Librarian Shannon McClintock Miller creates! If you missed any, explore Shannon’s curated collections below and discover new favorites for your students on a variety of topics.Wicked Themed BooksWorld Read Aloud DayTaylor SwiftDigital Learning Day...
Read more
Spring Break Reading Retreat: Embracing Online Book Fairs for Your Classroom or Library
January 10, 2025
As spring break approaches, it’s the perfect time to recharge and reflect on new ways to inspire your students. For educators, this season offers a unique opportunity to explore our online book fairs, bringing exciting, fresh titles to your classrooms and...
Read more
Stop Summer Slide: Keep Kids Reading with Follett Book Fairs
January 10, 2025
Summer break is a time for fun, relaxation, and a well-deserved rest. But for teachers and school librarians, it’s also a crucial period to combat “summer slide” – the loss of learning that can occur when students aren’t reading regularly. Our online...
Read more