Information Literacy – where we are at Margaret Appleton Central Queensland University May 2003

What is information literacy? Generic attributes e-literacy Information Literacy Standards Current issues

1. What do we mean by information literacy?

“Information literacy is an understanding and set of abilities enabling individuals to ‘recognise when information is needed and have the capacity to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information.’ An information literate person has learned how to learn, and is able to:

Recognise a need for information Determine the extent of information needed Access the needed information efficiently Evaluate the information and its sources Incorporate selected information into their knowledge base Use information effectively to accomplish a purpose

Understand economic, legal, social and cultural issues in the use of information Access and use information ethically and legally Classify, store, manipulate and redraft information collected or generated Recognise information literacy as a prerequisite for lifelong learning

Developing Lifelong Learners through Undergraduate Education Developing Lifelong Learners through Undergraduate Education. (Candy, Crebert and O’Leary)

Information literacy is a multi-faceted phenomenon which encompasses: knowledge of major current resources in relevant field of study ability to frame researchable questions in relevant fields of study ability to locate, evaluate, manage and use information in a variety of contexts ability to retrieve information using a variety of media ability to interpret information in a variety of forms (written, statistical, graphs, charts, diagrams, tables) critical evaluation of information

Australian Information Literacy standards Christine Bruce’s ‘the seven faces of information literacy’ CAUL Information Literacy Assessment project Institutional based projects to facilitate the embedding of I.L. into the curriculum

2. Generic attributes

How do we view the relationship between Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy?

3. e-Literacy

Information technology literacy is the ability to: Operate and communicate with technological devices Understand how subsystems fit together to form systems or networks Understand documentation and how to utilise applications software Understand the basic jargon or terminology of information technology Solve problems through the use of technology Identify and use alternate sources of information Discuss the history and future of information technology Have some insight into the ethical and human impact issues of information technology. (Penrod and Douglas 1986)

The e-literate person can effectively use information technology and is able to: Record, organise and store information in a way that other users can easily view and understand, and be communicated to others Capture and record detailed information into a database program i.e. to store information in a way that is not only logical and easy to use, but can be accessed at will and in a variety of formats

Use technology to communicate with colleagues and friends Export/Import files to/from their own and other systems Build web pages Maintain computer files Have a basic understanding of computer systems and networks Transfer computer skills between operating systems Understand legal and ethical issues in the use of IT and uses IT legally and ethically

4. Information Literacy Standards

Use of standards in curriculum development

Mapping courses and programs

Standard One The information literate person recognises the need for information and determines the nature and extent of the information needed.

Outcomes: 1.1 The information literate person defines and articulates the need for information. 1.2 The information literate person understands the purpose, scope and appropriateness of a variety of information sources. 1.3 The information literate person consciously considers the costs and benefits of acquiring the needed information. 1.4 The information literate person re-evaluates the nature and extent of the information need.

Performance measurement and benchmarking information literacy

Information Literacy – where we are at