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Understanding Information Literacy Skills

Chapter 1 discusses information literacy, defining it as the ability to recognize when information is needed and how to find, evaluate, and use it effectively. It emphasizes the importance of various literacies, including computer, digital, and media literacy, for academic success and lifelong learning. The chapter also outlines competencies required for information literacy and introduces process models like the Big6 information literacy model.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
10 views4 pages

Understanding Information Literacy Skills

Chapter 1 discusses information literacy, defining it as the ability to recognize when information is needed and how to find, evaluate, and use it effectively. It emphasizes the importance of various literacies, including computer, digital, and media literacy, for academic success and lifelong learning. The chapter also outlines competencies required for information literacy and introduces process models like the Big6 information literacy model.

Uploaded by

Nicole
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Chapter 1: Information Literacy


Lecture Notes
Key Terms
Competencies- Skills and capabilities to do something successfully or
properly

Computer Literacy- Knowledge and skills to sue computers and other


computer-related technology effectively and efficiently

Digital Literacy- Having skills to find, evaluate, create and communicate


information through digital technologies

Information Literacy- Ability to know when information is needed, where to


find it and how to evaluate and use it once it has been found

Lifelong Learning- Ongoing and self-directed search for knowledge and


development of competencies

Media Literacy- Ability to use many types of media

What is information literacy


Computer literacy

Chapter 1: Information Literacy 1


Knowing about computers and related technology and being able to use
them effectively and efficiently

Being computer literate doesn’t mean you have the skills to find
information or use it effectively- need additional skills and
competencies

Media literacy

Ability to access, analyse, critically evaluate, create, contribute to and


take part in communications in many formats

Understanding the role of media in society

Digital literacy

Ability to find and use information, also includes issues such as


communication, teamwork and social awareness etc.

Information Literacy

Ability to know when information is needed and to be able to find,


evaluate and use the information.

Includes skills to access and use information sources

Why is it important to be information literate?


To be successful in your studies and research

For everyday living activities

To cope and do well in your chosen profession

Relation ship between information literacy and lifelong learning

able to apply and transfer these skills to many other areas of learning
and research.

not possible to learn everything you need to know in your field of study
in a few years at university- constantly evolving

Competencies of an information literate person in the digital


environment
Information literate individuals is able to do the following:

Recognise a need for information and determine the extent of the


information needed for making decisions and completing tasks.

Chapter 1: Information Literacy 2


Find the needed information effectively and efficiently. This requires
knowledge of available information sources and applying systematic
search strategies intelligently.

Evaluate information and its sources critically and select only sources
that can be used.

Incorporate selected information into their knowledge base and use that
information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use
of information, and access and use information ethically and legally.

Communicate effectively in the digital environment and create new


ideas and products collaboratively.

Where do these information literacies come from?


Process Models

Big6 information literacy model:

1. Task definition- define the information problem and identify the


information need

2. Information seeking strategies: Identify all possible sources of


information and select the best ones

3. Location and access: Find sources and information in the sources

4. Use information: Read, look at source information and extract the


appropriate information

5. Synthesis: Combine all information and present it as an assignment


or report

6. Evaluation: Evaluate the product and the process to determine the


effectiveness and efficiency of information

Information literacy framework:

Authority is constructed and contextual

Trustworthiness of information creator is reflected in the source

Information creation as a process

Process of researching and creating information

Chapter 1: Information Literacy 3


Information has value

Information has several dimensions of value

Legal and socioeconomic interests influence information


production and dissemination.

Research as enquiry

is iterative and depends on asking increasingly complex or new


questions whose answers in turn develop into additional
questions or lines of enquiry.

Scholarship as conversation

Communities of scholars engage in sustained discourse with


new insights and discoveries

Search as a strategic exploration

often non-linear and iterative, requiring the evaluation of a range


of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue
alternative avenues as new understanding develops.

Digital and information literacy framework:

Chapter 1: Information Literacy 4

Common questions

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The ability to synthesize information is crucial in the Big6 model as it involves combining information from multiple sources to create a coherent and informed understanding or product. Synthesizing allows individuals to integrate diverse pieces of information into a comprehensive whole, improving the depth and breadth of analysis and ensuring that the final output is both insightful and applicable to the task or problem at hand .

Information literacy improves professional success by equipping individuals with the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively, which is crucial for problem-solving and strategic planning in any career. In everyday decision-making, these skills facilitate informed decisions by allowing individuals to assess the credibility and relevance of information they encounter, thereby enhancing personal and professional outcomes .

Information is considered to have multiple dimensions of value due to its potential impact and utility in decision-making, academic work, and innovation, among other areas. Legal and socioeconomic interests influence this value by dictating the accessibility, sharing, and monetization of information. Intellectual property laws, publication rights, and market demands shape how information is disseminated and who can access it, thus affecting its perceived value .

The iterative nature of research as enquiry enhances information literacy skills by requiring individuals to continuously refine their questions and understanding. This process involves engaging with diverse sources, reassessing findings, and seeking new avenues of enquiry as understanding deepens. Such an approach stimulates critical thinking and adaptability, reinforcing the skills necessary for effective and efficient information management and continuous learning .

Systematic search strategies play a crucial role in efficient information retrieval by providing a structured approach to identifying, accessing, and evaluating relevant information sources. These strategies ensure that the search for information is comprehensive and focused, thus enabling individuals to make informed decisions based on accurate, high-quality information. By minimizing the risk of missing important data or relying on unreliable sources, systematic search strategies underpin the effective use of information .

The Big6 model addresses information overload by providing a structured approach to information problem-solving. It involves defining the task, identifying possible sources, locating and accessing these sources, using and synthesizing the gathered information to create a report or solve a problem, and finally, evaluating the product and process for effectiveness. This systematic approach helps individuals manage large amounts of information efficiently and select the most relevant and credible sources, reducing the chances of being overwhelmed by information .

The concept of 'scholarship as conversation' reflects the idea that academic knowledge is built through ongoing discussions among scholars over time. It underscores the importance of engaging in these discourses to gain new insights and make contributions to a field. This continuous dialogue allows researchers to question, test, refine, and expand upon existing knowledge, which is crucial for developing new theories and understanding in any area of study .

Digital literacy and media literacy complement each other in that digital literacy involves the skills to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information using digital technologies, while media literacy involves the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create communications in various formats. Together, they enable individuals to understand, interact with, and utilize information across digital and media platforms effectively, recognizing the role these media play in society .

Key competencies of an information literate individual include the ability to recognize information needs, efficiently find information, critically evaluate sources, synthesize and incorporate information into personal knowledge, and ethically use and communicate information. These competencies relate to ethical use by requiring individuals to understand and respect the legal and societal norms regarding information access and use, ensuring they conduct themselves within the boundaries of ethical and legal responsibilities .

The relationship between information literacy and lifelong learning is intertwined as information literacy provides individuals with the skills to continuously find, evaluate, and use information effectively, which is essential for ongoing learning and adapting to new challenges. In the digital age, this is critical because information is constantly evolving, and professionals must continuously update their knowledge . Without these skills, it is impossible to keep up with changes in one's field and to adapt to new technologies and information sources .

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