lOMoARcPSD|4339232
INS1502 Summary 1
Developing information skills for lifelong learning (University of
South Africa)
, lOMoARcPSD|4339232
DEVELOPING INFORMATION SKILLS FOR
LIFELONG LEARNING
, lOMoARcPSD|4339232
6
It is important to know the different concepts1 that are related to information literacy
to identify a clear direction for an information literacy program. This section contains
a brief definition of relevant terms followed by the key concepts of information
literacy2.
What is information? Information is a resource that has varied definitions according
to the format, and media used to package or transfer it, as well as the discipline that
defines it. Case (2002) provides a broader definition. Here the term is synonymous
with:
• Encapsulated knowledge
• Packaged human experience
• A source that can provide a myriad of data
• A resource that takes different formats, packaging, transfer media, and varied
methods of delivery
• People: family, friends, tutors, fellow students
• Institutions, i.e., national health service professionals or help facilities
The need for effective use of information. Information has become a vital source for
world economies and is certainly the basic component of education. Information is a
vital element to technological and scientific change. It poses several challenges to
individuals of all walks of life: students, workers, and citizens of all types. The current
information overload requires people to validate and assess information to verify its
reliability. Information by itself does not make people information literate. Information
is certainly a:
• A vital element for creativity and innovation
• A basic resource for learning and human thought
• A key resource in creating more knowledgeable citizens
• A factor that enables citizens to achieve better results in their academic lives,
with regard to health, and at work
• An important resource for national socio-economic development
What is literacy? The basic definition of literacy is “the condition of being literate”
according to the Chambers English Dictionary (2003). This reference work, on the other
hand, defines literate as “…learned; able to read and write; having a competence in
or with” (p. 1856). In education parlance, “Basic Literacy” means the classic or
traditional literacies
of learning how to read, to write, and to perform numeric calculations and operations;
basic literacies in almost all societies are learned in basic and secondary formal
education
7
settings, primarily public or private schools, but sometimes basic literacies are
learned at home or in community centers.
Other “Literacy” concepts related to information literacy. Information literacy is
linked with other types of related literacies, but it should be differentiated from them,
, especially from information technology, media literacy, network literacy, digital
literacy, network or
INS1502 Summary 1
Developing information skills for lifelong learning (University of
South Africa)
, lOMoARcPSD|4339232
DEVELOPING INFORMATION SKILLS FOR
LIFELONG LEARNING
, lOMoARcPSD|4339232
6
It is important to know the different concepts1 that are related to information literacy
to identify a clear direction for an information literacy program. This section contains
a brief definition of relevant terms followed by the key concepts of information
literacy2.
What is information? Information is a resource that has varied definitions according
to the format, and media used to package or transfer it, as well as the discipline that
defines it. Case (2002) provides a broader definition. Here the term is synonymous
with:
• Encapsulated knowledge
• Packaged human experience
• A source that can provide a myriad of data
• A resource that takes different formats, packaging, transfer media, and varied
methods of delivery
• People: family, friends, tutors, fellow students
• Institutions, i.e., national health service professionals or help facilities
The need for effective use of information. Information has become a vital source for
world economies and is certainly the basic component of education. Information is a
vital element to technological and scientific change. It poses several challenges to
individuals of all walks of life: students, workers, and citizens of all types. The current
information overload requires people to validate and assess information to verify its
reliability. Information by itself does not make people information literate. Information
is certainly a:
• A vital element for creativity and innovation
• A basic resource for learning and human thought
• A key resource in creating more knowledgeable citizens
• A factor that enables citizens to achieve better results in their academic lives,
with regard to health, and at work
• An important resource for national socio-economic development
What is literacy? The basic definition of literacy is “the condition of being literate”
according to the Chambers English Dictionary (2003). This reference work, on the other
hand, defines literate as “…learned; able to read and write; having a competence in
or with” (p. 1856). In education parlance, “Basic Literacy” means the classic or
traditional literacies
of learning how to read, to write, and to perform numeric calculations and operations;
basic literacies in almost all societies are learned in basic and secondary formal
education
7
settings, primarily public or private schools, but sometimes basic literacies are
learned at home or in community centers.
Other “Literacy” concepts related to information literacy. Information literacy is
linked with other types of related literacies, but it should be differentiated from them,
, especially from information technology, media literacy, network literacy, digital
literacy, network or
