What is Information Fluency?

UCF defined information fluency as “the ability to perform effectively in an

information-rich and technology-intensive environment.” Simply put, information
fluency is the ability to gather, evaluate, and use information in ethical and legal
ways. Information fluency encompasses and integrates three important skills:
information literacy, technology literacy, and critical thinking. These three skills are
not mutually exclusive but overlap in many areas. Using these skills means having
the ability to communicate information in appropriate and effective ways, which is an
important measure of information fluency.

Fluency means not just accessing information on the Web, but creating your own Web
pages. Not just downloading MP3 music files, but creating your own digital-music
compositions. Not just playing SimCity, but creating your own simulated worlds.
(Resnick 2001)

Why do I need to be information fluent?

Research has shown that information fluency is vital to university students' academic
achievements and professional successes and will contribute to their lifelong
learning processes. Increasing your information fluency quotient (IFQ) will make you
more valuable to employers and to corporations as you move beyond the university
environment and into the workplace. Improving your ability to think critically and to
extrapolate useful concepts and ideas from existing information into new applications
will continue to be a valued and crucial skill in the 21st century work place.

How can I improve my information fluency skills?

One way to become more information fluent is to find out where you are. By taking a
critical thinking skills test, such as the ICT, you can get an idea of how information
fluent you are right now, and if there are any areas that you might need to work on in
order to improve your information fluency skills. You can also use the UCF
Library and the University Writing Center to help you become more information
fluent. The Library and UWC have resources to help you learn to research and
communicate more effectively in your classes and in the workplace.

What will I be able to do when I learn these skills?

As an information-fluent graduate of UCF, you will be able to:

 articulate the problem in a selected context

 recognize the need for information to address the problem
 identify the available information sources (domain)
 iteratively collect, analyze, and assess (evaluate critically) the relevant
information
 integrate new information with pre-existing knowledge and context
 draw conclusions
 effectively communicate results and decisions
 follow up on actions

What is UCF doing to help me become more information

fluent?
UCF is beginning the process of integrating and infusing information fluency into
both the curriculum and the culture on campus. Individual departments and
professors are implementing information fluency initiatives into their classrooms, and
the office of Information Fluency is providing support to students, faculty, and staff as
we begin the process of bringing our QEP focus on information fluency to UCF.

What info can I find on this website and what will be

available in the future?
Visit the UCF if website frequently for updates on what’s going on with UCF and
information fluency. We will offer grant opportunities for both students and faculty,
if contests and prizes, and updates about critical thinking skills tests and resources.

What is the ICT literacy assessment?

The ICT literacy assessment is one of several tests designed to measure information
fluency and critical thinking skills that will be administered at UCF over the coming
months. Some students, including 158 Nursing students, have already taken the ICT
to help the University assess where we are now with regards to information fluency,
and more tests will be offered during the Spring semester.

Are there any grant opportunities for students?

We are offering grants to students in the Spring 2007 semester for developing their
own information fluency enhancement projects.

Solution Fluency
What gives a problem solver the edge they need? The ability to define the problem
and see it clearly? Thinking critically from multiple perspectives and visualizing
possibilities? The drive to create and deliver a solution and conquer any challenge?
It’s all of the above. And it’s what Solution Fluency is all about.

Let's Walk You Through It

The 6Ds process of Solution Fluency—Define, Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver,
Debrief—are your path to gaining superhuman problem-solving skills. Learn how to
tap into that power in this video.

Media Fluency
The ways we communicate continue to evolve
intellectually, emotionally, and technologically. How can
we apply critical thinking to the messages in our media,
and use what we learn to create effective messages of our
own? Media Fluency is about interpreting and leveraging
the messages you and your students experience everyday.
Creativity Fluency. The power of creativity adds meaning to virtually every product and organization in
existence using innovative design, visual appeal, and storytelling. The arts are no longer ornamental—
they're fundamental. There's creativity deep within all of us, and Creativity Fluency helps you make it
shine. Do

Digital Ethics
With technology becoming an integral part our daily lives, it is important that students today have
knowledge of digital ethics. Practicing good digital ethical behavior means using media
appropriately and respecting the privacy and property of oneself and others.

We face the challenge of trademark and copyright infringement, especially when it comes to the
Internet. The copyright law of the United States states that, any original literary, musical, dramatic,
artistic, architectural and audiovisual work that is fixed in some tangible medium or expression is
protected and belongs to the author. Copyright laws give authors exclusive rights to their works.
Often people believe that if words, images, video, etc. are on the Internet for all to see, that anyone
is entitled to it and that is not true.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provides age-appropriate resources to help
teach children how to be safer on- and offline. Their program, NetSmartz Workshop, is an
interactive, educational program designed for children ages 5 to 17, parents and guardians,
educators, and law enforcement. Their goals are to:
 Educate children on how to recognize potential internet risks.
 Engage children and adults in a two-way conversation about on- and offline risks.
 Empower children to help prevent themselves from being exploited and to report victimization
to a trusted adult.
Common Sense Media is another wonderful resource that provides quality instructional materials to
share with students and help make digital ethics and online safety clear for students of all ages.
Create a quick login to be able to access video, pdf, and other digital content to use to help
students stay safe online.