Information Literacy is for Academics and Vocational success and for Lifelong Learning

Jayatunga Amaraweera

Visiting Lecturer in LIS

University of Kelaniya

Today we live in Information Age

IT becomes a part of everyday lives

What is information ?

Definition : Data presented in readily comprehensible form to which

meaning has been attributed within the context of its use.

In a more dynamic sense, the message conveyed by the use of a medium of communication or expression.

More concretely, all the facts, conclusions, ideas, and creative works of the human intellect and imagination that have been communicated, formally or informally, in any form.

(ODLIS – Online Dictionary of library & Information Science)

“Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant.”

Mitchell Kapor

What is Information

Literacy ?

Information Literacy, which encompasses knowledge of one's information needs and the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, organize and effectively use information to address issues or problems at hand, is a prerequisite for participating effectively in the information society, and is part of the basic human right of life long learning.

The Prague Declaration (2003)

The ALA DefinitionInformation literacy is a set of

abilities that enables an individual to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to effectively locate, evaluate, and use the needed information."

American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy.

Final Report. (Chicago: American Library Association, 1989).

http://www.ala.org/acrl/nili/ilit1st.html

“Information literacy is the ability to locate, evaluate, manage and use information from a range of sources for problem solving, decision making and research.“

Bruce, C. and P.C Candy (1995). Developing information literate graduates: prompts for good

practice. The Learning Link: information literacy in practice. D. Booker. Adelaide, AUSLIB press: 245-

252.

Mastering in Information Literacy (IL) directly and indirectly facilitates promoting :

•Learning to Learn

•Learning to Teach

•Teaching to Learn

•Teaching to Teach

These processes would lively involve in the modern method of 3P (PPP) system of teaching.

3P = Participate ; Present; Practice

7 pillars of Information Literacy?

•

The Big6• Information seeking strategies:

Brainstorm all possible sources, select the best sources

• Location and access: Locate sources, Find information within sources

• Task definition: Define the problem, identify the information needed

• Use of information: Engage, extract relevant information

• Synthesis: Organize information, present the result

• Evaluation: Judge the result and the process

[ Eisenberg and Berkowitz (1996) ]

• Identify—subject, audience, keywords and plan strategy;• Explore—resources required, information available;• Select—relevant information; stages of work, appropriate

citations;• Organize—information earlier selected, between fact, fiction

and opinion;• Create—information in your own words, revise and edit and

create bibliography;• Present—share information with appropriate audience;

display in appropriate format;• Assess—feedback; self-assessment and assessment with

teacher;• Apply—review feedback and apply to next learning activity.

Prof. Russell Bowden, in his keynote address published in the Proceedings of the Information Skills for Learning: Part II "Empowering-8" International Workshop

Sponsored by IFLA ALP, UNESCO-IFAP5 in 2005

Information Literacy - Empowering-8 Model

Why is Why is Information LiteracyInformation Literacy important? important?

• Equips individuals to be self-directed, lifelong learners

• Goes beyond knowing how to use a computer or learning one specific interface

• Highlights the global nature of information

• Includes critical evaluation of information

• Allows for transfer of knowledge

• Allows for informed decision making

Information literate person should have:

• Ability to utilize information technology

• Knowledge of information sources

• Knowledge of information-seeking processes

• Ability to organize and control information

• Ability to use info to develop a new knowledge base

• Ability to use info to extend one’s knowledge base

• Ability to use info wisely for the good of others

Standards

or Outcomes

Information Literacy Competency (ILC)focuses on five (05) broad abilities:

1.to recognize the need for information

2.to know how to access information

3.to understand how to evaluate information

4.to know how to synthesize information

5.to be able to communicate information

an information literate person is one who:

recognizes that accurate and complete information is the basis for intelligent decision making; recognizes the need for information;

formulates questions based on information needs; identifies potential sources of information;

develops successful search strategies;

Contd./ accesses sources of information including computer-based and other technologies;

evaluates information;

organizes information for practical application;

integrates new information into an existing body of knowledge; uses information in critical thinking and problem solving.

What is Lifelong Learning?

Lifelong learning is the concept that "It's never too soon or too late for learning“

Wikipedia

A lifelong learning framework encompasses learning throughout the life cycle, from birth to grave and in different learning environments, formal, non-formal and informal.  

The World Bank Group

Why Lifelong Learning is Essential ?

People who are successful Lifelong Learners start with a belief that their participation in lifelong learning is an essential ingredient to living a fulfilled life.

Image by Courosa

•learning is a great activity.

•It expands your viewpoint.

•It gives you new knowledge you can use to improve your life.

•Even if you discount the worldly benefits, the act of learning can be a source of enjoyment

•But in a busy world, it can often be hard to fit in time to learn anything that isn’t essential.

•The only things learned are those that need to be.

•Everything beyond that is considered frivolous.

•Even those who do appreciate the practice of lifelong learning, can find it difficult to make the effort.

Fifteen steps to cultivate Lifelong Learning (LLN)

1. Always have a book.

2. Keep a “To-Learn” List

3. Get More Intellectual Friends

4. Guided Thinking

5 Put it Into Practice

6. Teach Others

7. Clean Your Input

8. Learn in Groups

Contd./

9. Unlearn Assumptions

10. Find Jobs that Encourage Learning

11. Start a Project

12. Follow Your Intuition

13. The Morning Fifteen

14. Reap the Rewards

15. Make it a Priority

[http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/15-steps-to-cultivate-lifelong-learning.html ]

Benefits of Lifelong Learning for Adults 50-plus

•Keeps your mind sharp * Improves memory

•Increases self-confidence

•Offers an inexpensive way to try something new

•Saves money as you learn to “do it yourself”

•Gives you a feeling of accomplishment

•Helps you meet people who share your interests

•Builds on skills you already have

•Offers an opportunity to learn a new skill or trade