Integrating information literacy in multicultural education: the "Pyxida" example

Abstract

Like other European nations, Greece has experienced a substantial influx of refugees, immigrants, and migrants in recent years. Primary schools, secondary schools, and libraries serve as information centres that can play a critical role in the socio-economic integration of these populations. This is achievable through collaborative information literacy (IL) programmes involving teachers and librarians, focusing on multicultural education. IL plays a vital role in empowering migrants and refugees, as it not only enhances their academic success but also equips them with the skills necessary to integrate into new communities and make informed decisions.

In this context, this article discusses the implementation of an IL programme for immigrant and refugee children of the Intercultural Center “Pyxida”. The two-month programme aimed to integrate IL into Greek literature lessons using the Big6Skills model. It aimed to improve students’ Greek language abilities, assess their educational levels, and promote critical thinking. In collaboration with Pyxida’s coordinators, the librarian facilitated lessons that included grammar and syntax exercises, dictation, comprehension questions, paraphrasing tasks, and debates. The research question that arises is whether the collaboration between coordinators and librarians could empower cognitive skills of displaced students through the implementation of an IL course.

The results indicate that students improved their critical thinking skills and expressed a desire for the programme’s continuation. The findings suggest that IL programmes can be effectively integrated into multicultural education, particularly benefiting immigrant and refugee students in terms of social inclusion.