CTS 8.

The competent teacher will develop information literacy skills to be able to access,
evaluate, and use information to improve teaching and learning.

1. Write a paragraph explaining your knowledge and understanding of the standard—put the

standard into your own words.

According to the Association of College and Research Libraries, “Information literacy is a set of

abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to

locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.’” I think that this standard wants me

to know how to evaluation information and data that will improve my teaching and in turn,

student learning.

2. Explain how the artifact you chose demonstrates your understanding and application of the

standard.

The artifact I chose was a rubric I created using Rubistar, an online application designed to

create rubrics for different subject areas. This rubric is for a one-on-one reading evaluation to

assess students’ understanding of analyzing information in a piece of text. The creation of this

rubric demonstrates my understanding of evaluation in order to inform my instruction. Each

category is designed to address the different aspects of literature. This artifact demonstrates my

understanding of “model[ing] evaluation and use of information to solve problems and make

decisions.”

3. A If the artifact has been used in your practice, reflect on how your teaching will change in

the future to further meet the standard.

B. If the artifact has not been used in your practice, i.e., a class assignment, reflect upon how

your teaching will be impacted by the assignment.

This specific rubric has not been used in my practice, however I create many similar rubrics for
lessons that are taught in my placement. I think that rubrics that are well thought out and pertain

to a lesson’s goals and objectives is an easy way to formally assess students in the classroom.

Assessment informs instruction, and rubrics are a form of assessment that allows the teacher to

be flexible and take into account specific students’ needs and strengths. This artifact allows me

to reflect on my teaching through the demonstration of my “understand[ing] [of] how to access,

evaluate, and use information to improve teaching and learning.”

4. Conclude with a paragraph discussing how you are more prepared to Teach and Learn in a

Diverse Society as a result of satisfactorily meeting the standard.

As a result of completing this artifact, I am more prepared to teach and learn in a diverse society

because creating rubrics designed to work for different assignments. Additionally, assessment is

a key element in evaluation student progress. Therefore, the understanding and application of

assessment techniques and information literacy can help to differentiate instruction for a diverse

classroom.