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Bush Celebrates Information Literacy Month and Digital Citizenship Week
Hey Blazers, did you know that October is Information Literacy Month?
In 2009, President Barack Obama proclaimed the month of October a time to celebrate our growth towards media and information literacy. During this time, we reflect on how we identify, find, evaluate, apply, and acknowledge various sources of information. If you understand how to cite sources, obtain and evaluate information, then you are exercising your informational literacy skills!
"Building students' information, media, and digital literacy skills is just as important as teaching traditional literacy skills,” said Dr. Liz Ebersole, Middle and Upper School Librarian and Media Literacy Faculty. “At The Bush School, our Digital Citizenship and Information and Media Literacy curriculum empowers students to navigate the internet safely, think critically about the information they encounter, and become thoughtful contributors to the online world."
During this month, Common Sense Education celebrated Digital Citizen Week (October 14-18), an annual campaign which aims to promote a healthy and positive approach to the way students use tech and media. Additionally, The National Association for Media Literacy (NAMLE) celebrated U.S. Media Literacy Week (October 21-25), now in its tenth year and held in conjunction with UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week. This year, U.S. Media Literacy Week focused on the five components of media literacy: Access, Analyze, Evaluate, Create, and Act.
“Remember: any time students are using a digital tool, they need to exercise Digital Citizenship skills,” said Liz. “As educators, it's our responsibility to make sure we are integrating lessons about Digital Citizenship when we ask our students to use technology for learning.”
For more resources, check out Common Sense Education's 2024 Digital Citizenship Week website or NAMLE’s 2024 U.S. Media Literacy Week website .
Other great ways of exercising Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy skills are to end Googling into the void and instead use the newly redesigned Bush School Library Resources website to simplify all research needs. This site is a one-stop shop for all school related research needs. By using these resources, you are doing the work needed to build the information literacy skills you’ll need to be successful in college and beyond!
If you’re a faculty member and need additional research assistance for your students, invite Dr. Liz Ebersole to visit your class to introduce or review research skills. She can teach mini-lessons on any research skill and will even stick around to provide any extra in-class support, if needed. You can also ask her to create an Individual Course Library Resource Guide for you.
Faculty and students can use The Bush School MS & US Book Recommendation form to recommend new books to add to the Middle and Upper School libraries. Family members of students can email book recommendations to Dr. Liz Ebersole at liz.ebersole@bush.edu. Be sure to check out the new Upper School Library Annex, which is now open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays!
"The school library is not only a space for great books—it's also a hub for inquiry, creativity, and collaboration,” said Liz. “Whether students are doing research for academic projects, exploring personal interests, or seeking guidance on navigating digital resources, the Bush School Library and library team are here to support and inspire Bush School students from Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade."
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 735 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.