Information Literacy

Information literacy was the term used most frequently in the United States from the late 1980s through most of the 1990s and is still used regularly.¹

With the increasing use of the Internet, it is becoming clear that not only the skills to operate a computer and retrieve information, but also to acquire the information you need from the vast repository of information networks and to use that information for your own benefit or the benefit of the community has become essential. This skill is called information literacy. If we talk about computer literacy today, information literacy is needed today.²

 

Information literacy requires computer literacy as well as the following skills.

Ø  To receive information

Ø  Analyze information

    Ø  To produce information and

Ø  Prepare the information so that it can be used

Information literacy prepares individuals to access, evaluate, and analyze information.³

Components of Information Literacy 4

• Identify :- The information literate student can identify the nature and extent of information needed. For example, writing the thesis document, creating a timeline to complete research paper

• Find:- The information literate student can  find needed information properly. For example,  finding an article from the library database

• Evaluate:- The information literate student can evaluate information and its source critically. For example, summarizing the main idea of an article

• Apply:- The information literate student can apply information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose. For example, using image from a database to prepare power point slide.

• Acknowledge:- The information literate student can acknowledge source of information and the ethical, legal issues surrounding information. For example, citing an information source.    

 

 Computer Literacy

It describes the skills necessary for accessing and using information including the use of the mouse or keyboard, managing files, understanding disk drives, operating system etc. 5

References

1.      1 Craig Gibson, “Information Literacy and IT Fluency: Convergences and Divergences,” Reference &      User Services Quarterly 46, no. 3 (2007): 24.

2.      2 Gorkhapatra daily

3.      Thomas P. Mackey and Trudi E. Jacobson, “Reframing Information Literacy as a               Metaliteracy ”(2011) 

4. https: //prezi.com/

5. Computer and information literacy in post-qualifying education