Module Identifier DS34020  
Module Title INFORMATION LITERACY  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Allen E Foster  
Semester Available all semesters  
Course delivery Lecture   One introductory lecture/seminar of 2 hours provided at study school, the remainder to be taught entirely through distance learning materials.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Report of 2,500 words - weighted 50%. 
Semester Assessment Essay of 2,500 words - weighted 50%. 

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:









Brief description

Information Literacy offers the opportunity for students to develop transferable skills in the field of Information Seeking Behaviour. Specific information skills are reviewed and evaluated within a theoretical framework. Evaluation of Information Literacy theories and models forms the basis of self questioning and critical thinking skills needed for flexible continual development of information seeking skills over the long term and enable students to consider ways in which they might apply this experience and knowledge to teaching others basic information literacy skills.

Aims

The module aims to enable students to becoming critical thinkers, intellectually curious observers, creators and users of information. That is, to become information literate and capable of sustaining and developing and teaching to others, that literacy skill throughout the changes of technology and information sources that will become available in coming years.

Content

The course will address a range of content linked to the learning outcomes. Primarily content will revolve around:

Module Skills

Problem_solving A core element of information seeking is the ability to solve an information problem by identifying the core issues, identifying possible remedies and finding a solution.  
Research skills The course report will require planning and time management skills to make use of practical sessions, and to meet coursework deadlines and examination revision requirements.  
Communication Individual coursework in report format will include the presentation of information and the critical assessment of the process of obtaining that information. The report will develop presentation, evaluation and written communication skills.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Encourages development within the principles of open learning.  
Information Technology Information technology will be used as a tool on the module; but the information technology itself is secondary to the information literacy skills that will be developed. All coursework is to be word-processed.  
Personal Development and Career planning As part of a CILIP accredited course the module offers opportunities for development in a number of information related careers.  
Subject Specific Skills Skills of critical analysis, information seeking decision making, and resource evaluation, information literate information seeking, awareness of transferability of information literacy issues. Further details as per the learning outcomes.  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6