Introduction to Information Literacy

1. Introduction to Information Literacy

2. Case study • Meet Jane! • Jane is a parliamentary researcher who has been asked by an MP to write a report about use of vaccines in Africa • Jane prepares the report… but the MP is not happy • He complains that: • some of it is based on unreliable sources such as anti-vaccine lobby groups • Some of the data is over ten years old • Some of the information concerns vaccine use in Europe not in Africa • Some key sources such as the World Health Organisation have not been consulted

3. Case study cont. Why do you think Jane did not use better information?

4. What is Information Literacy? IL is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the information needed

5. “Seven pillars” of Information Literacy 1. Recognizing an information need 2. Distinguishing ways of addressing information gaps 3. Constructing strategies of locating information required 4. Locating and assessing information 5. Comparing and evaluating found information 6. Organising, applying and communicating 7. Synthesising and creating new knowledge

6. An Information Literate Person is one who can… • Know the extent of information needed. • Access the needed information effectively and efficiently. • Critically evaluate information and its sources. • Incorporate the selected information into her knowledge base. • Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose (eg. solve a problem, add new knowledge). • Understand the economic, legal and social issues surrounding the accessed information and so use the information ethically and legally.

7. Attitudes Knowledge Skills Information Literacy involves: • What is the definition of each of these? • Give examples of each

8. Lifelong learning • What is lifelong learning? • Do people need to learn how to learn? • Information Literacy is the key to lifelong learning

9. This workshop • Recognising information need • Defining an information problem • Searching for information • Evaluating information

10. Gathering information at school Think back to when you were at school… • Why did you need new information? • Where did you get information from? • Were you encouraged to ask questions? • Did you ‘critically evaluate’ the information from your teacher? • If not, why not?

11. Gathering information at school • When we were at school, many of us learnt ‘by rote’ • We were not encouraged to ask questions and investigate

12. Gathering information now Discuss with a partner • Has your experience at school affected your information seeking behaviour as an adult? • Are you curious to find out new information or do you tend to accept what you are told? • What attitudes prevent you from seeking information?

13. Asking questions is good! • The first step to being information literate is being curious • Asking questions and seeking new information is how you will continue to learn and develop

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