*Information literacy* *_refers to a set of characteristics that transform an ordinary student into a "wise information consumer" and "lifelong learner."_* Information literacy isn't just something you "do" in college, rather "information literate" is something you become, via your coursework and personal experiences and interactions with information.
Some of the aspects of information literacy include using information technologies, such as personal computers, e-mail, software programs, and the Internet. Other aspects of information literacy involve the evaluation of the information you obtain using the Internet and online electronic resources. Still other components of information literacy regard the ethical use of information and information technologies. A couple of the primary goals of information literacy are to get people thinking critically about the information they encounter, and building in people the ability to use that information to create new knowledge.
Philadelphia University has outlined an institutional definition of information literacy, as it applies to our students. Other universities and colleges have their own definitions. Most of the definitions are similar. Here is our definition:
Information Literacy is:
1. The ability to articulate one's information need.
2. The ability to identify, locate and access appropriate sources of information to meet the information need.
3. The ability to effectively use information resources, regardless of format.
4. The ability to critically and ethically apply the information.
5. The ability to determine if the need has been adequately met.
*Why is Information Literacy Important?*
The definition of an information literate person extends beyond school and application to academic problems--such as writing a research paper--and reaches right into the workplace. Information literacy is also important to effective and enlightened citizenry, and has implications that can impact the lives of many people around the globe.
1. The ability to use information technologies effectively to find and manage information.
2. The ability to critically evaluate and ethically apply that information to solve a problem are some of the hallmarks of an information literate individual.
*Other characteristics of an information literate individual include;*
the spirit of inquiry and perseverance to find out what is necessary to get the job done.
We live in the Information Age, and "information" is increasing at a rapid pace. We have the Internet, television, radio, and other information resources available to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, just because so much information is so easily and quickly available does not mean that all of it is worthwhile or even true.
Because of resources like the Internet, finding high-quality information is now harder than ever, not easier! Finding the good stuff is not always quick! And the good stuff does not always come cheaply, either! (In short, to make it in today's Information Age, you have to be even smarter--not dumber-than your typewriter-schlepping predecessors!)
To make matters worse, just because you know how to use a particular information technology today does not mean that there is not another one right behind it that you will have to learn how to use tomorrow! Once seemingly exotic technologies like "word processing" and "electronic mail" are now commonplace, but at one time, they were amazing and revolutionary. (To some of us, they still are).
Today's employers are looking for people who understand and can adapt to the characteristics of the Information Age. If a student has "learned how to learn," upon graduation, they are a much more attractive job candidate. An information literate individual - with their strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills - can be expected to be an adaptable, capable and valuable employee, with much to contribute.
*How Will I Become Information Literate? (Will it Hurt?)*
Chances are, you won't really notice all at once or right away that you are becoming more information literate. Information literacy is a "way of being" and is a "process of becoming." It's not really just one class that you take and then you are done with it.
At Philadelphia University, several courses have been targeted as vehicles for delivering the numerous components of information literacy. Some of these courses will emanate from within your major field of study, and the individual professional Schools. Much information literacy programming will be part of your general education requirements, and will come from the classes you take in the School of General Studies.
As you move through the classes in your curriculum, you'll accrue skills and abilities that you can use in other classes. Although some of your classes do not overtly state that they employ information literacy skills and competencies, they may.
Refer to your school from the top page of this section, and click on "Classes."
There you will see the exact classes--and in some cases the actual assignments--that will be used by your instructors to build information literacy abilities, skills and competencies into you.
To see the University's general expectations of you, look at the "Documents" page of this website, and look at the information there.
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