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Information Literacy - What is it?
Information Literacy Instruction at the Library
Information Literacy Credit Courses
Information Literacy - What is it?
According to the Association of College and Research Libraries, "Information Literacy is the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information". Essentially, information literacy combines the specialized techniques of searching print and electronic information resources with certain thinking skills - analytical thinking, strategic thinking, critical thinking, and decision making - applied to solving problems using information.
Is computer literacy necessary for information literacy? You bet! Accessing the today's world of electronic information over the Internet and other networks and in the library itself certainly requires one to know how to operate a computer and to use the software required to access electronic resources. However, being computer literate does not make one proficient in dealing with information. First and foremost, the thinking skills associated with information literacy enables one to be a successful information seeker and user. Second, the techniques associated with electronic and print information retrieval are specialized skills irrespective of the skills needed to operate a computer. Information literacy thinking processes (such as information needs assessment, search strategy development, and evaluation of information) and specialized technical skills (such as Boolean searching and other database search techniques) are usually not addressed in a computer literacy curriculum
Course Integrated Information Literacy Instruction at the Library:
PCC instructor's are encouraged to make information literacy part of their curriculum regardless of the courses taught. The libraries provide a variety of course integrated information literacy instruction options. Click HERE to view the descriptions and outcomes for each option listed below.
Option A: Information Literacy Modules
Module 1 - Library Resources
Module 2 - Databases *
Module 3 - Internet Resources *
* We encourage faculty to reserve a computer classroom for database and Internet research instruction. Call Room Reservations at 297-1010, Ext. 5050 for Winter Haven and Lakeland room reservations. Be sure to let us know what room you've reserved when you make your request for instruction.
Option B: General Overview of Library Resources
Option C: Resource, Subject, or Assignment Specific Instruction
Option D: Open Research
College Success (suggested) Information Literacy Curriculum
How to Request Course Integrated Information Literacy Instruction:
Scheduling one of your classes for
Information Literacy instruction is simply a matter of visiting or contacting
the reference desk at your campus' library. A form for this purpose is
available at the reference desk and our reference librarian will be happy to
assist you with defining your request and completing the form. Please schedule your request for
IL instruction as early in advance as possible to ensure availability.
Lakeland Reference Desk: 297-1010, ext. 6207
Winter Haven Reference Desk: 297-1010, ext. 5326
Information Literacy Credit Courses:
LIS-2004: Introduction to Internet Research - Dazzled and frustrated by the quantity and quality of research results from the Internet? Get off your board and stop surfing! Learn the techniques that the pro's use to research the net. This 1 credit course is offered each fall and spring and is a 100% online course. Look in the current PCC schedule of courses under COMPUTER RELATED - INTERNET TECHNOLOGY for available sections.
LIS-1002: Basic Library and Information Skills - Designed as a short course to be taken during the first several weeks of the fall or spring semesters, in LIS-1002 the student will learn to effectively us an academic library and its resources, as well as the skills needed to successfully utilize the library's many electronic research tools including the online catalog, electronic databases, and the library's Web site. Look in the current PCC schedule of courses under COMPUTER RELATED - INTERNET TECHNOLOGY or on PASSPORT under LIS for available sections.
Information Literacy Online Tutorials:
T.I.L.T. - Texas Information Literacy Tutorial - Designed by the University of Texas libraries to further information literacy instruction at their institutions, many tutorials are generic enough to be useful as learning objects by others. We encourage instructors who are interested and concerned that their students acquire information literacy skills to use these tutorials as part of your curriculum in conjunction with our own IL literacy instruction options and credit courses. Our librarians are available to consult with you on ways to integrate these tutorial learning objects into your courses and to design testing and assessment on information literacy for your students.
Information Literacy Assignment and Quiz Bank
We created this page for faculty who are seeking reliable and valid information literacy assignments and quiz questions to integrate into their instruction. Please let us know if you would like to contribute your ideas, criticism, or other input into the continued development of this page. Click here to view the page.
Updated: 8/14/2006
