An Evaluation of the Use of Empowering 8 Information Literacy Model in Resource Based Teaching-Learning Process

Abstract

The objective of the survey was to evaluate the success of the Empowering-8 Information Literacy model introduced in 2004. The study reveals that E-8 model is successful when the (teacher) librarian actively teach in the classroom rather than resorting to the library management. However, the school community is not knowledgable on the resource based learning concept. Therefore, even when the teacher librarians teach students, the task of him/her has been limited to teaching some information skills only. Therefore, it is necesary to educate school administrators that the role of 'teacher librarians' is broad, and that they must teach at least 10 periods a week as per the government circular issued on this regard.Out of 20 participants (teachers and teacher librarians who followed postgraduate studies at the institution during 2008-2013) responded in the survey, only 5 had used E-8 model in designing lessons. Only 2 had started from the first step, namely 'identifying the problem'. All others had started from the second step, namely 'exploring information'. Only 11 have gone beyond the 5th step (creating).Therefore, it is recommended that E-8 model is implemented in extended learning activities, promoted and advocated by the provincial educational administrators.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sllim.v5i2.7157 Sri Lankan Journal of Librarianship and Information Management Vol.5(2) 2013: 36-45