What is Information Literacy?
Simply put, Information Literacy is the ability to find, evaluate and use information effectively and ethically. But information literacy is so much more. A definition better suited to our information age suggests that
"...information literacy should in fact be conceived more broadly as a new liberal art that extends from knowing how to use computers and access information to critical reflection on the nature of information itself, its technical infrastructure, and its social, cultural and even philosophical context and impact - as essential to the mental framework of the educated information-age citizen as the trivium of basic liberal arts (grammar, logic and rhetoric) was to the educated person in medieval society".
Shapiro, Jeremy J., and Shelley K. Hughes. "Information Literacy as a Liberal Art: Enlightened
Proposals for a New Curriculum." Educom Review 31.2(1996): 1-6.
<http://www.educause.edu/apps/er/review/reviewArticles/31231.html>.
Information Literacy at Woodbury University
CO 105: Information Literacy is a one credit course offered each semester. In ten sessions, students are introduced to the skills needed to effectively gather information from online and print resources. Issues include the evaluation and presentation of information, effective search methods, and citation practices. Co-requisite: AW111, Academic Writing I.
Course Related Library Instruction (pdf file)
Faculty may request a library instruction session for their course. Librarians are available to teach subject specific databases and resources, how to effectively use the Internet, how to find journal articles and more (pdf file). We’ll be happy to tailor a session to your class’s needs.
Please fill out this Library Instruction Request Form or contact Diane Zwemer for more information.
Information Literacy Resources for Faculty
- Five Reasons Why:
Information Literacy Throughout the Curriculum (pdf file)
(With an extensive bibliography on Information Literacy).
- Woodbury's Programs and Information Literacy:
How Professional Associations View Information Literacy.
- Tips and Techniques for Including Information Literacy in Your Courses.
