Literacies:
There are many thoughts and discussions surrounding Information Literacy. Some believe that it is vital to the success of our nation and the individuals of our nation. Bill Gates is one of those individuals that believes that it is vital to our country.
" 'The U.S. cannot maintain its economic leadership unless our work force consists of people who have the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation,' Gates told the Senate committee that oversees labor and education issues." (2007, 21stcenturyskills.org)
Others believe that it is just an urban legend designed by Information Professionals to give ourselves job security. Stanley Wilder feels that Information Literacy is a solution to a problem that does not exist.
"The idea behind information literacy is that our typical freshman is drowning in information, when in fact Google provides her with material she finds good enough, and does so instantaneously. Information literacy assumes that she accepts unquestioningly the information she finds on the Internet, when we know from research that she is a skeptic who filters her results to the best of her ability. Information literacy tells us that she cannot recognize when she needs information, nor can she find, analyze, or use it, when she demonstrably does all of those things perfectly well, albeit at a relatively unsophisticated level. Simply put, information literacy perceives a problem that does not exist." (2005, Chronicle of Higher Education)
WHAT IS INFORMATION LITERACY?
Information Literacy has been defined many ways. The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) section of the American Library Association defines Information Literacy as the following:
"Information Literacy is the set of abilities requiring individuals to 'recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.' " (2007, www.acrl.org)
In other words, according to the ACRL individuals, including students, need to know what information will suit their needs and then also have the ability to evaluate what they have found and give it a purpose by making it fit that need.
WHY IS INFORMATION LITERACY IMPORTANT TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS?
Most traditional students grew up with computers and are familiar with the Internet. Knowing how to use a computer and navigate the Internet does not mean that an individual is Information Literate. Information Literacy requires skills beyond navigating the Internet as Andrea Foster explains below:
"College students use technology constantly. They text-message friends, compile playlists for their iPods, and are whizzes at updating thier MySpace profiles. But when it comes to one kind of work they are required to do in college - namely, academic research - they can be inept. Too often, college officials say, students rely on Google or Wikipedia as sources, as if oblivious to peer-reviewed scholarship." (2007, Chronicle of Higher Education)
WHY IS LIBRARY INSTRUCTION IMPORTANT TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS?
- Overwhelming
- Springboard
- Guidance
- Demonstrate the Process
- Catalyst
- Make a Connection
- Teach Life Skills
- Because I Remember
WHY WILL LIBRARY INSTRUCTION CONTINUE TO BE IMPORTANT?
- Live In a Global and Knowledge-Based Economy
- Technology Keeps Evolving
- Information Volume Keeps Growing
- People Will Expect It
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR INFORMATION LITERACY AND LIBRARY INSTRUCTION?
- Advocate
- Educate
- Lead
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