Johnston, B. and Webber, S. (2006) As we may think: Information Literacy as a discipline for the information age. Research Strategies, 20 (3). 108 - 121. ISSN 0734-3310
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to propose information literacy as a soft applied discipline, of key importance in the information society. This is contrasted with the characterization of information literacy as a personal attribute in the U.S. and Australian Information Literacy standards. Vannevar Bush's vision of the technologically connected and enabled scientist is used to introduce a discussion of citizen's information needs and responsibilities in an age of “cheap complex devices.” The authors emphasize the key role of information literacy in this information society. Information literacy is identified as a soft applied discipline, with reference to disciplinary indicators that have been identified in the literature. Building on this concept of an information literacy discipline, the authors propose a mission for information literacy education focused around three elements: information literacy for citizenship, information literacy for economic growth, and information literacy for employability. The paper concludes by identifying that in terms of preparing citizens for managing and taking action in society, information literacy has much to contribute, and that it is vital to nurture this emergent discipline.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jun 2014 13:20 |
Last Modified: | 16 Jun 2014 13:20 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resstr.2006.06.005 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.resstr.2006.06.005 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:77487 |