Definition of Information Literacy

Main Contents Page

Before you start

- Definition of IL

- What will you learn?

- Requirements

- Technical issues

- Notes to lecturers

- Acknowledgements

- Bibliography

STEP 1: STARTING out

STEP 2: FINDING

STEP 3: EVALUATE

STEP 4: Legal and ethical USE

STEP 5: COMMUNICATE

What is information literacy?

Information literacy enables people to recognise the value of information and use it to make informed choices in their personal, professional and academic lives. An information literate student

  • effectively accesses,
  • evaluates,
  • organises,
  • synthesises and
  • applies information

from a variety of sources and formats in a variety of contexts. Information literacy requires an ongoing involvement in learning and in evaluating information so that life long learning is possible.
(Source adapted - WAAL Information Literacy Committee, 1998)

This series of self-study modules will show you the key concepts with examples, helping you

  • to get the information you need
  • with greater ease and speed.