Notes

Outline

Information  Literacy -   A collaboration between the University of Pretoria and the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education Presented by J.E.Thompson

Information Literacy Over the last decade, the University of Pretoria has changed in terms of its student profile and policies.

Information Literacy Previously there have been various initiatives by the Academic Information Service (Library) at the University of Pretoria, to promote information literacy, but none which addressed the issue on a university-wide basis.

Information Literacy The University has recognised that computer literacy and information literacy skills are vital to the graduates and to this end have embarked on a formal programme called Computer and Information Literacy (CIL).

Information Literacy In 1998, with the recognition of the growing need for computer and information literacy, a decision was taken by the University of Pretoria to implement a campus-wide information literacy programme.

Information Literacy Damelin Computer School is a private organisation that teaches basic computer skills. It was decided to use their services as  the level of tuition required for the computer courses does not justify the use of university academics.

Information Literacy Three computer skills courses were developed: Introduction to computers (CIL 171), Word processing using MS Word (CIL 172), Database and spread sheet software using Microsoft Excel and Access (CIL 173)

Information Literacy The information literacy course is offered as the fourth component (CIL 174). The Department of Information Science was given the task of producing the course material.

Information Literacy Definition of Information literacy:     'To be information literate, a person must be able to recognise when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the information needed. Ultimately information literate people are those who have learned how to learn. They know how to learn because they know how knowledge is organised, how to find information, and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them. They are people prepared for lifelong learning because they can always find the information needed for any task or decision at hand'. (American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy, 1989).

Information Literacy The course is aimed at helping students to develop the information literacy skills required both for study purposes and for life-long learning. These include effective retrieval, evaluation and use of information.

Information Literacy The course consists of 6 sections: Section A Information Section B Finding Information Section C Computerised Databases Section D Search Strategies Section E Internet Section F Evaluation Section G Practical Database Searching

Information Literacy  Evaluation  Internet access  Evaluation of retrieved material  Feedback  Trainers

Information Literacy Conclusion Owing to the time constraints this course cannot be a detailed.

Information Literacy Remembering that becoming information literate is a process and not an event and bearing in mind that the skills are aimed a lifelong learning; the students are only given a glimpse of the possibilities.

Information Literacy To this end there is a concerted campaign to ensure that information literacy becomes and “add-in” and not an “add-on” in all teaching departments.

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