Welcome to MILI

Metronet is pleased to expand the Information Literacy Initiative to the high school, middle schools, and NInth Grade Center in the Chaska School District. The Metronet Information Literacy Initiative (MILI) is based on the premise that student achievement is impacted by a strong school library media program that is staffed by professional media specialists who collaborate with teachers in incorporating information literacy skills into classroom teaching. Lots of research has been done on this, including two studies of Minnesota's library media programs conducted by Metronet. We know that this collaboration takes time, resources, and skills that not all media specialists and teachers have! So, MILI was started to help small learning communities in the schools develop the skills and find some time to focus on information literacy.

Another impetus for the project is the Minnesota State Legislature. In 2006, it passed a law that requires the Commissioner of Education to embed Technology & Information Literacy Standards into the Minnesota Academic Standards. This process has already started with the revision of the Math Standards. MILI participants will ahead of the curve on this, since they will be experienced in teaching information literacy! The Technology & Information Literacy Standards were developed by MEMO, the professional association serving school media and information technology professionals. MILI uses these standards as the foundation of its program and training, too. The Initiative focuses on two of the nine Technology & Information Literacy Standards : (1) Research process, including the use of appropriate resources, and (4) Responsible use of information and information technology. We have expanded the two standards into 3 Rs:

• Research
• Reliable Resources
• Responsible Use (of Technology and Information)

All of our training focuses on one or more of these Rs.

23+1 Information Literacy Things

The core of MILI is the 23+1 Information Literacy Things. We have adapted this from the original concept of “23 Things” which has taken off in the library world and other areas. The original 23 Things were created to help library staff become more familiar with technology and how it impacts library service and library patrons. It started in public libraries and has expanded to school libraries. It has received rave reviews from participants--they love the idea of a reason to focus on their own learning and and to have excuse to play around with technology and the Web.

Our 23 + 1 Information Literacy Things are built around the concepts of information literacy, and the 3 Rs—Research, Reliable Resources, and Responsible Use of technology and information.

How It Works
By May 15, all participants will have completed their 23+1 Information Literacy Things. Everyone will complete all 17 of the Core Things and choose 6 from More Things to explore and learn more about Information Literacy and how to incorporate the concepts of Research, Reliable Resources, and Responsible Use into their teaching. The +1 Thing is to write some final reflections on the entire process. Interns and administrators will do most of the Core Things, since some would not be possible, such as Streaming Video, and make up the difference from the More Things.

To maintain accountability for participants and administrations, each participant will have an individual blog (Thing 2) and update the blog weekly with reflections on each Thing as it is completed, the MILI experience, and meetings.

The Things are designed to be accomplished both on your own and in the monthly after school meetings. We don't expect it to take much more than an hour or so a week. While posts should be thoughtful and reflective, they don't have to be extensive or scholarly. We just want to know what you are doing for MILI and what you have learned. Except for the first 3 Things, you can do the Things in any order that works for you.

Have fun with the idea and the Things--this is an opportunity to focus on you and your learning--and to use that learning in your teaching.