Information literacy programs and research: An international review

TLDR

The review focuses on internationally and Australian information literacy developments that are either widely recognized, representative of global trends, or uniquely distinctive. The paper aims to provide an overview of contemporary information literacy research and practice. It is structured around three foci: interpreting information literacy, synthesizing new educational, community, and workplace initiatives (beginning with U.S. efforts), and reviewing recent research including the author’s own study of experiential approaches.

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of contemporary information literacy research and practice. While the content is highly selective, the intention has been to highlight international and Australian developments which have achieved significant recognition, which are representative of similar trends in other places, or which are unique in some way. There are three main foci in the paper. Firstly, an exploration of ways of interpreting the idea of information literacy. Secondly, a synthesis of various efforts to seek new directions in educational, community and workplace contexts, beginning with the major initiatives being undertaken in the United States of America. Thirdly, an introduction to some recent research, concluding with a summary of my own investigation into different ways of experiencing information literacy.