Information Literacy Sajjad ur Rehman What Is Information

Information Literacy Sajjad ur Rehman

What Is Information Literacy? • Empowering individuals in becoming self-reliant information users • Developing skills and attitudes for lifelong use, consumption and application of information

Terminology and Variations • • • Information literacy Computer literacy Library and information skills Orientation Bibliographic instruction User education

Information Literates • In order for a person to be information literate, one must be able to recognize when information is needed and should have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use the needed information effectively. • Information literates are those who have learned how to learn, as they know how information is organized, found, located, used and applied in personal, professional, and other areas.

Why? • Users have time pressures and other constraints • Focus on cost effectiveness • Specialized needs of users • Need of sophisticated users for independence (contd. )

Why User Education? • Focus on personalized use in certain environments • Changes in information resources and services and information technologies

Activities • Levels of needs and related programs: – – – Orientation activities Organized tours Special purpose training programs Credit and non-credit courses for beginners Advanced bibliographic resource courses Computer-assisted instruction • Help features • Web-based applications

Considerations • • • Untraditional One-to-one basis Focused Emphasis on cost effectiveness Constraints of human resources

Orientation Welcoming and introducing actual and potential users to the set-up, resources, services, physical layout, organization of materials, specialized resources and services

Content of Orientation • Varies from setting to setting • Important areas – Resources – Services – Basic rules and regulations – Access mechanics: locating items, ILL/DD – Physical setup – Special collections

Exposure to Specialized Resources (1) • In-house resources – Technical reports – Documents – Archives – Specialized reports • Patents and standards

Exposure to Specialized Resources (2) • Electronic resources in different formats • Internet as a resource • Special databases – In-house – External

Exposure to Specialized Services • Use of portals for searching OPACs and databases • Use of networked information resources through LAN • Use of telecommunication utilities • Use of Internet • Use of CAS • Use of DD Services • Use of other specialized services

Methods • • Lectures/presentations Demonstrations Use of portals Computer assisted instruction Case studies Involvement in projects Use of electronic bulletin boards and similar means

Information Literacy Program • Needs Assessment – external – Internal • Formulation of goals and objectives – General – Terminal – Enabling

Information Literacy Program • Planning – Devising, evaluating and testing – Choosing methods and materials – Developing materials – Staffing – Management and conduct – Evaluation

Information Literacy Program • Client-Centered Program – – – Collaboration with the teacher Reviewing available resources Working out objectives Analysis of the background of clients Instructional possibilities and interventions by the teacher – Developing program – Evaluating program

Developing Instructional Materials • Teaching aids, handouts, exercises, Web materials • Criteria – readability, simplicity, brevity, accuracy, attractiveness. consistency, flexibility, suitability, cost-effectiveness, ease of use • Slides • Videos • Portals/websites

Integrated Courses • Working with instructors • Providing instruction which is related to project or term paper • Instruction on searching and use of information • Combined grading

Independent courses • Required or elective courses • Combination of computer and information literacy and library skills • Needed resources – faculty – laboratories – instructional aids

Advanced Bibliographic Courses • • Uncommon in academic institutions Meant for graduate students Taught by subject specialists Content covering subject structure, bibliographic tools, searching, documentation, etc.