Overview of the levels of ICT and information literacy skills in Canadas preservice teachers

Thierry Karsenti,Simon Collin,Gabriel Dumouchel

doi:10.24297/ijct.v13i11.2781

Abstract

To better understand the strong relationship between ICT and information literacy competencies, this short paper first describes their roles in the various education levels in Canada, including initial teacher training. We then provide an overview of empirical studies on the levels of ICT and information literacy competencies in Canadas preservice teachers and offer explanations for these levels. We conclude by proposing solutions to improve the situation, notably through effective approaches to training Canadas future teachers in ICT and information literacy competencies.

Highlights

Today, information and communication technologies (ICT) are indispensable in education
Canada‟s approach to the role of ICT in education is well aligned with this view
Even though computers and the Internet have been ubiquitous in Canada‟s schools since the mid-1980s and the late 1990s, they are seldom well integrated into the teaching practices of inservice teachers [3] or pre-service teachers [4]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are indispensable in education. Even though computers and the Internet have been ubiquitous in Canada‟s schools since the mid-1980s and the late 1990s, they are seldom well integrated into the teaching practices of inservice teachers [3] or pre-service teachers [4] This is a troubling state of affairs, which is exacerbated by the fact that the Internet has become “the” information source of choice for elementary and high school students in Canada [5, 6] as well as their teachers [3] and preservice teachers [4]. We conclude by proposing solutions to improve the situation, notably through effective approaches to training Canada‟s pre-service teachers in ICT and information literacy competencies. “An information literate individual is able to: Determine the extent of information needed

Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

Findings

Solution avenues