A contextual model of information literacy

This article reports a contextual model of information literacy (IL) which emerged from an exploratory case study of IL in a joint online distance learning (ODL) Geographic Information Sciences/Systems (GIS) programme, and demonstrates how it contributes to the development of information literate GIS learners in ODL environments. Adopting Eisenhardt’s (1989) ‘process of building theories from case study research’, it explores IL in the context of a wide range of teaching and learning experiences in the programme, using interview, questionnaire, students’ reflection, observation and document study as data collection methods. The two-level within- and across-case analysis, suggested by Eisenhardt, was innovatively combined with grounded theory data analysis approaches. It appeared that in the ODL GIS programmes IL is needed, not just as a set of transferable skills, but as an enabler for independent, connective, transferable and lifelong learning.

[1]  A. Strauss,et al.  The discovery of grounded theory: strategies for qualitative research aldine de gruyter , 1968 .

[2]  Nicole Fahey,et al.  The Importance of Addressing Accepted Training Needs When Designing Electronic Information Literacy Training , 2003, Informing Sci. Int. J. an Emerg. Transdiscipl..

[3]  Annie Armstrong,et al.  Using interactive technology to teach information literacy concepts to undergraduate students , 2006 .

[4]  Maryam Nazari,et al.  What do the conceptions of geo/spatial information tell us about information literacy? , 2011, J. Documentation.

[5]  Geoscience education in the United States , 2006 .

[6]  C. Bruce.  Seven faces of information literacy , 1997 .

[7]  Susan L. Kendall,et al.  Teaching faculty's perspectives on business information literacy , 2006 .

[8]  L. Dooley.  Case Study Research and Theory Building , 2002 .

[9]  Karen K. Kemp,et al.  Geographic Information Science and Technology Body of Knowledge 2006 , 2006 .

[10]  G. Boulton‐Lewis.  Teaching for quality learning at university , 2008 .

[11]  R. Stake.  The Case Study Method in Social Inquiry1 , 1978 .

[12]  R. Yin.  The Case Study Crisis: Some Answers , 1981 .

[13]  Nazari M. Webber S..  Model of Geo/Spatial Information Literacy , 2008 .

[14]  Stuart Boon,et al.  A comparison of UK academics' conceptions of information literacy in two disciplines: English and Marketing , 2009 .

[15]  Reijo Savolainen,et al.  Network competence and information seeking on the Internet: From definitions towards a social cognitive model , 2002, J. Documentation.

[16]  M. Denscombe.  The Good Research Guide: for small-scale social research projects , 1998 .

[17]  Information Literacy for GIS Curricula , 2004 .

[18]  Maryam Nazari,et al.  Design and process of a contextual study of information literacy: An Eisenhardt approach , 2010 .

[19]  P ? ? ? ? ? ? ? % ? ? ? ? , 1991 .

[20]  Stuart Boon,et al.  A phenomenographic study of English faculty's conceptions of information literacy , 2007, J. Documentation.

[21]  Mandy Lupton.  Information literacy and learning , 2008 .

[22]  Annemaree Lloyd,et al.  Information literacy landscapes: an emerging picture , 2006, J. Documentation.

[23]  M. Ruiz.  DiBiase, D. (Managing Editor, 2006), et al.: Geographic Information Science and Technology Body of Knowledge (GIS&T Body of Knowledge) by UCGIS , 2007 .

[24]  S. Shanbhag.  Alternative Models of Knowledge Production: a Step Forward in Information Literacy as a Liberal Art , 2006 .

[25]  Maryam Nazari,et al.  Conceptions Of Geospatial Information In Online Distance Learning Gis Programs , 2008, e-Learning.

[26]  Patricia A Iannuzzi.  Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education , 2000 .

[27]  K. Eisenhardt.  Building theories from case study research , 1989, STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI.

[28]  Charles R. McClure,et al.  Network Literacy: A Role for Libraries?. , 1994 .

[29]  R. Yin.  Case Study Research: Design and Methods , 1984 .

[30]  Gloria J. Leckie,et al.  Information Literacy in Science and Engineering Undergraduate Education: Faculty Attitudes and Pedagogical Practices. , 1999 .