[Web4lib] Information literacy requirments

[Christopher Kiess]

I think it is important to underscore the difference between Computer
Literacy and Information Literacy. Not to insult anyone on the list, but
Information Literacy refers to the basic abilities to recognize a need for
information, fill that need and evaluate the quality of information
retrieved. Computer literacy is the basic ability to operate and navigate an
OS as well as the associated programs providing access to information and
those that allow for productivity. These are two different but similar
concepts.

One of my areas of research is in Information Literacy and I recently sought
out surveys on the subject. There are some tested tools to measure
Information Literacy. However, nearly all of them include some basic
Computer Literacy questions. The two concepts are linked and I am sure it is
obvious that Computer Literacy is almost a required prerequisite for
Information Literacy in our world of electronic information today.

chris kiess

On Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 9:31 AM, Thomas Dowling <tdowling at ohiolink.edu>
wrote:

> Alma Garcia wrote:
>
>>
>> We are re-evaluating our current Information literacy requirement for all
>> entering students and are wondering what, if anything , is being  used in
>> higher education.  We currently require all entering student to  take an
>> online class that has a tutorial based on Searchpath as well as Office 2007
>> Level 1 for Word, PowerPoint and Excel.  Students must pass the associated
>> assessments with a score of 70% or higher to fulfill the requirements.
>>
>>
>
>
> You may need to share your definition of information literacy and the goals
> of your requirement.  My first reaction is that basic familiarity with one
> office suite is not the same as information literacy.
>
>
> --
> Thomas Dowling
> tdowling at ohiolink.edu
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>
>


-- 
C.L. Kiess, B.A., M.L.S.
Information & Knowledge Specialist
Columbus Regional Hospital
Library & Knowledge Services