Mapping a path to the empowered searcher

This article considers the use of mindmapping as part of information literacy education. Important parts of the search process are: identifying the information need (or defining the information problem) and formulating search strategies. Research has shown that these are areas with which people have significant problems. It is argued that current approaches to information literacy education often do not give enough attention to these aspects. Mindmapping and concept mapping are briefly defined. The use of these approaches as part of an undergraduate Information Literacy class is described. The benefits of using these techniques to educate people in information literacy in the workplace are highlighted. The article finishes by advocating that these approaches could be more widely adopted.