International perspective: national frameworks

1. International perspective: national frameworks Sheila Webber Department of Information Studies University of Sheffield November 2009 http://infolitglobal.net/logo/en/

2. Developing a national information literacy strategy • Pioneering! • Many definitions, models, frameworks and proclamations generated by expert groups • Some research-based models • Some strategies etc. that are claimed as information literacy, within national strategies concerning information, education etc. • Most success: small countries that value education, open use of information & the economic/social capital represented in their citizens?

3. Outline Point’s from Horton’s “primer” My own perspective on the 4 areas identified in the UNESCO-sponsored discussions: governance/ citizenship; Education; Health; Business Models, frameworks and visions

4. Horton: Understanding information literacy Background on IL and proposed model (Horton’s background as Information Management expert) Perceived challenges & recommendations in 4 areas: Education; Health; Workforce development & human capital; Empowering people to vote & participate in governing Steps for advocacy & awareness raising Examples of declarations, initiatives and ideas for “best practice”

5. Themes for advocacy with each set of partners / stakeholders Identifying level of awareness of information literacy Identifying ways of raising awareness Identifying key organisations, initiatives or events Identifying champions Having a clear idea of what you want them to do

6. “To achieve its overall socio-economic development goals, the appropriate national authorities should develop a national information literacy and Lifelong Learning strategy and vision for the country as a whole, and admonish all other institutions, each sector and citizens to treat the area as a high priority” (Horton, 41)

7. My perspective on international developments

8. Governance/ citizenship A number of countries (& the EU) have policies or programmes on ICT and/or media literacy (but not explicitly information literacy) Example: Finland: Government Policy Programme for the Information Society (2007-2011): IT, media literacy and skills for information society. Libraries are acknowledged as assets and actors for lifelong learning, civic skills, & info society services

9. Governance/ citizenship Does the government genuinely want people to be information literate? Is literacy itself encouraged? Cultural issues affecting views on information literacy? What are the predominant ways in which citizens acquire and share information? Linguistic/ ethnic / sectoral / religious/ regional differences? Who are potential allies? What motivates them? (logically and emotionally) How long will they be around/ allies?

10. Education: Development may be linked to External forces for change (e.g. Bologna Process) Educational policy (e.g. as regards teaching quality; massification; priorities) & predominant pedagogic approach of teachers/ lecturers Nature/ existence of national curriculum Nature of teacher education Accreditation processes Status/funding of libraries & of education generally

11. Health Need for evidence based health and medical work makes this a rich area for information literacy Developments will depend on medical education and health systems in individual countries National health priorities and crises may provide opportunities International initiatives such as Cochrane Collaboration imply information literate information use

12. Business IL activities more difficult to track: Diversity Different terminology Confidentiality Meaning of IL varies more widely from academic mode & may not be recognised as such, e.g. Collaborative use of information Wider interpretations of information (but specific to context) Cannot have “one size fits all”

13. Models & frameworks Alejandro Uribe Tirado, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia, 2009

14. ANZIIL framework (2nd ed) http://www.anziil.org/resources/Info%20lit%202nd%20edition.pdf • Standard One The information literate person recognises the need for information and determines the nature and extent of the information needed • Standard Two The information literate person finds needed information effectively and efficiently • Standard Three The information literate person critically evaluates information and the information seeking process • Standard Four The information literate person manages information collected or generated • Standard Five The information literate person applies prior and new information to construct new concepts or create new understandings • Standard Six The information literate person uses information with understanding and acknowledges cultural, ethical, economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information

15. Wijetunge and Alahakoon(2005)

16. From: Information Literacy for advanced study (Masters & Doctorate): Elements for a curriculum Andral, M. et al (2006)

17. Information Literacy/ Competence Classification (Russia) Fedorov, Gendina and Petrova (2007)

18. Missing aspect? Quotation from interview for research by Webber, Boon & Johnston Information literacy for having a good life (whatever that means to you) More than empowering people to be “good citizens” For engaging with politicians & media – and people as human beings – can trigger motivation

19. Quotation from interview for research by Shahd Salha

20. ANZIIL: 4 overarching principles Information literate people engage in independent learning through constructing new meaning, understanding and knowledge derive satisfaction and personal fulfillment from using information wisely individually and collectively search for and use information for decision making and problem solving in order to address personal, professional and societal issues demonstrate social responsibility through a commitment to lifelong learning and community participation

21. Quotation from interview for research by Webber, Boon & Johnston

22. “Information literacy lies at the core of lifelong learning. It empowers people in all walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create information effectively to achieve their personal, social, occupational and educational goals. It is a basic human right in a digital world and promotes social inclusion of all nations”Alexandria Proclamation on information literacy and lifelong learning

23. Quotation from interview for research by Shahd Salha

24. Themes for advocacy with each set of partners / stakeholders Identifying level of awareness of information literacy Identifying ways of raising awareness Identifying key organisations, initiatives or events Identifying champions Having a clear idea of what you want them to do Identifying emotional as well as practical arguments

25. Successful initiatives Opportunism Practicality Good organisation & groundwork Persistence Networking Belief Passion Models, strategy and visions

26. Quotation from interview for research by Shahd Salha

27. References & Resources • Andral, M. et al (2006) Maîtrise de l’information des étudiants avancés (master et doctorat) Eléments pour une formation. Enssib. http://www.enssib.fr/bibliotheque-numerique/document-21101 • Corrall, S. (2009) Exploring the Development of Information Literacy Strategies [powerpoint] http://www.slideshare.net/cilr/exploring-the-development-of-information-literacy-strategies • Fedorov, A.,Gendina, N. and Petrova, V. (2007) "Russia: Information Literacy State-of-the Art Report". In Lau, J. (ED) Information Literacy: an international state of the art report. 2nd Draft. Veracruz. http://infolitglobal.net/media/UNESCO_IL_state_of_the_art_report_-_Draft070803.doc • IFLA Information Literacy Section (including Guidelines on information literacy for lifelong learning) http://www.ifla.org/en/information-literacy • Infolit Global website (country reports, database and logo) http://infolitglobal.net/ • Wijetunge, P. and Alahakoon, U. (2005) "Empowering 8: the Information Literacy model developed in Sri Lanka to underpin changing education paradigms of Sri Lanka." Sri Lanka Journal of Librarianship & Information Management, 1 (1), 31-41. http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/institutes/nilis/reports/InformationLiteracy.pdf

28. Sheila Webber s.webber@shef.ac.uk http://information-literacy.blogspot.com/ http://www.pageflakes.com/informationliteracy/