More About Information Literacy
More About Information Literacy
What is Information Literacy?
Information Literacy is the ability to think critically about information. It is a fundamental part of critical inquiry in the 21st century.
The Information Literate student can:
- Determine the extent of information he or she needs
- Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
- Evaluate information and its sources critically
- Incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base
- Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
- Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and be able to access and use information ethically and legally
Why is Information Literacy important?
The ability to locate, evaluate and use information has always been important, but today, with the explosion of online library and Internet resources, these abilities take on a new urgency. Having more information from which to choose can make research more difficult rather than easier. Often the easiest information to find is unfiltered or unreliable, making information literacy skills more important than ever.
Information literacy skills are important for students’ academic work and personal lives. Information literacy makes possible lifelong learning. In an information economy, students will need information literacy skills to succeed in the work force and enrich their personal and civic lives, whether they are starting a business, buying a home, voting on candidates and issues, investigating health care options, managing their finances or making any number of informed life choices
Why is Information Literacy taught?
Students are more likely to learn the concepts and skills in the context of an academic course when they have an information problem to solve. For that reason, information literacy best practices recommend integrating the teaching of information literacy into the curriculum. Ideally, information literacy competencies are sequenced and integrated into the curriculum of an academic department. As students move through their major, they master increasingly sophisticated competencies.
Where can I learn more about Information Literacy?