The PLUS Model

The PLUS Model

The PLUS information skills model, which is well suited to school use, has been developed in Scotland by James Herring, who is an authority on information literacy based at Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh.

PLUS is an acronym that both pupils and teachers will find easy to remember. It breaks information skills into four main parts, as shown in the box below.

P Purpose Identifying the purpose of an investigation or assignment L Location Finding relevant information sources related to the purpose

U Use Selecting and rejecting information and ideas, reading for information, note-taking and presentation

S Self-evaluation How pupils evaluate their performance in applying information skills to the assignment and what they learn for the future

© James E. Herring

More information about the PLUS model and how it may be used is available in James Herring's books, some of which are listed below:

Herring, J E, Teaching Information Skills in Schools. London: Library Association Publishing (1996)

Herring, J E, Exploiting the Internet as an Information Resource in Schools. London: Library Association Publishing (1999)

Herring, J E, The Internet and Information Skills: A guide for teachers and school

librarians. London: Library Association Publishing (2003)

Here are some suggested core skills and activities that an information skills course built around the PLUS model could cover.

Purpose

 Identifying an information need.

 Learning to frame realistic research questions.

 Planning a piece of research using diagrams or headings.

 Identifying keywords.

Location

 Selecting suitable information media.

 Locating information using library catalogues, indexes, databases, CD-ROMs or search engines.

 Use Evaluating quality/relevance of information retrieved.

 Skimming and scanning text for information.

 Taking notes.

 Presenting and communicating information.

 Writing a bibliography.

Self-evaluation

 Reflecting on what has been learnt and being able to come to a conclusion based on information found.

 Carrying out a personal information skills audit.

 Identifying successful information skills strategies.

This page was created with the content from the following page:

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/5to14/specialfocus/informationskills/plus.asp

Updated on: 07 May 2008 The LTS Online Service is funded by the Scottish Government.