Course Creation/Revision Guide: What Is Information Literacy?

Information literacy is the set of skills needed to understand when information is required as well as how to find, analyze, and interpret the information collected to accomplish a task; specifically, an information literate individual has the ability to:

• Recognize what information and how much information is needed
• Create an effective and efficient search strategy for the needed information
• Analyze the retrieved information and evaluate its sources
• Enhance one’s own understanding with the selected information
• Use information effectively in order to achieve a desired outcome
• Use information ethically and legally, particularly with respect to recognizing intellectual property and acknowledging one’s sources

Information literacy is the ability to find and evaluate information to help make sound decisions in life, whether for academic, professional, or personal purposes.

Information Literacy and Technology is (a) the ability to recognize an information need that prompts the identification, organization, evaluation, and synthesis of data for the purpose of decision making and problem solving in academic, professional, and personal settings; (b) the understanding of ethical considerations and legal issues related to the use of information; and (c) incorporation of relevant technologies to address the need and usage of information.