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Research Skills: What is information Literacy?: Home

Formerly ECG 100: What Is Information Literacy

What is Information Literacy?

    Defining Information Literacy 

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ACRL Definition of Information Literacy

What is information literacy?

Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.

          FINDING -- EVALUATING -- USING -- CREATING -- SHARING 

      Information Literacy Threshold Concepts:   

  • Authority is constructed and contextual
  • Information Creation as a process
  • Information has value 
  • Research as Inquiry
  • Scholarship as Conversation
  • Searching as Strategic Exploration 

"Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education", American Library Association, February 9, 2015. http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework

What does it mean to be literate?

literacy, n. 

To be literate is to know how to read. When compounded with another term, literacy means competent or knowledgeable in that area (in other words the ability to "read" that topic). Some examples of "literacies" include:  

financial literacy -- computer literacy -- cultural literacy -- media literacy -- emotional literacy 

and INFORMATION LITERACY 

To be information literate, is to be competent or knowledgeable about information -- understanding what information is and how it's classified, having the ability to find, evaluate information and select highest quality information, and then knowing how to use and share information responsibly and effectively

Oxford English Dictionary Definition

Cabrini Literacies

Information Literacy Self Assessment

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