Using Pop Culture to Teach Information Literacy: Methods to Engage a New Generation »

LINDA D. BEHEN is the Library Director at St. Ursula Academy, Cincinnati, Ohio. She has received numerous grants and awards to enhance her library service, and has been a reviewer for several library journals including, Catholic Library World and The Book Report.

There is serious discussion in the media about today's youth, the "Echo Boomers," and their connection with technology. Our high school students tell us that they have few meals with their families, that they want their teachers and their school's decision makers to listen to them and take their ideas seriously, and that they use the little free time they have to talk to or instant message with their friends or to play video games. Author and media critic Jon Katz says, "Technology is youth culture. These kids are building a revolution. Technology is part of their ideology, their language, everything they do." Building on the information needs and the learning style preferences of today's high school students, the author builds a case for using pop culture (TV shows, fads and current technology) to build integrated information-skills lessons for students. Chapters include a rationale, a review of the current literature, and examples of units of study incorporating popular culture and technology. Grades 7-12.

VOYA

Behen argues that the best way to effectively teach information literacy skills in the high school library setting is to make instruction relevant and fun by tapping into the interests of teens, particularly through employing pop culture. Behen shares the work that she has done over the past eight years as the Library Director at Saint Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, through anecdotes and examples of materials from her program. A particular focus is given to creating games based on television shows such as Survivor, Amazing Race, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, while incorporating content from both popular culture and the curriculum of the school within the competitions. Although some of the early chapters are quite basic in the description of teen information behavior and will seem obvious to those who work with students regularly, Behen provides rich resources in later chapters as she outlines practical examples of activities and how she has built a school-wide program to provide a cohesive four-year approach to building information literacy in students at her institution. The book is written from a high school library perspective, but middle school library media specialists could easily adapt ideas for their student populations. This short, hands-on guide to information literacy instruction and programming is particularly well suited for those new to the field or experienced librarians looking to infuse some contemporary ideas into their programs.

Introduction

Today's Teens, Technology, and Pop Culture

Why Does Library Instruction Have to Be Fun?

Finding and Using Pop Culture in Our Library Instruction

Putting the Cool into Your Library: Inspiring This Generation

The Big Buy-in from Administration and Teachers

Life in the Real World

What They Need To Know

Build Your Information Literacy Instruction With Pop Culture

Publicizing the Ultimate Library Program