Information Literacy

Did You Know?

This is what we want

Valuable Desirable Accessible

Information
Useful Findable

Credible

Usable

What is Information Literacy?

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."
ALA. (2003). Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Retrieved April 20, 2007, from http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/informationliteracycompetency.htm#ildef

 At its broadest, information literacy refers to a person's ability to access and understand a variety of information resources.
Lenox, M. F.,& Walker, M. L. (1993). Information literacy in the educational process. The Educational Forum. 57(2),312-324.

An information literate person is one who:

recognizes that accurate and complete information is the basis for intelligent decision making; recognizes the need for information; formulates questions based on information needs; identifies potential sources of information; develops successful search strategies;

 access sources of information including computerbased and other technologies; evaluates information; organizes information for practical application; integrates new information into an existing body of knowledge; uses information in critical thinking and problem solving.
Doyle, C.S. (1992) Final Report to National Forum on Information Literacy. (ED 351 033).

Life Long Learning

To life, learning is essential.
At any age.

The Information Seeking Process

cognitive or thinking processes (creative, critical thinking) and problem-solving approaches communication processes (reading and viewing, writing and representing, speaking and listening)

 scientific process (experimenting, testing hypotheses) "traditional" library and research skills (focus on accessing information)
media/visual literacy technological (competence)

Goals of Information Literacy Instruction

Learner-centered Integrated and articulated with learning outcomes Reaches across the curriculum Develops assessment methods Emphasizes the process, methods and strategies for satisfying an information need

Information Literacy Teaches

How to formulate a research question How to develop a research strategy How to find relevant information and evaluate it How to effectively expand ones knowledge base How to use information ethically

The Research Process

Get a topic Develop your search strategy Search and read Write your paper, speech, presentation, etc. Cite your sources

The Road to Success

1. Task Definition 2. Information Seeking Strategies

3. Location and Access

4. Use of Information 5. Synthesis 6. Evaluation