Reference Sources&

Information Literacy

LIS 1321Faculty of Media & Knowledge

Sciences

Claudio Laferla

Introduction

-Name & Surname- Occupation & no. of years- Your aspiration- Why did you choose this Course?- What are you expecting?

My Wish…

…that All of you becomeInformation Literate

Persons

My Wish…

…For All to Obtain

My Wish…

…that All become Librarians!

Lectures

Discuss & Dialogue

Description of LIS 1321Reference Sources & Information Literacy

ECTS: 4

IntroductionThis study unit introduces students to two very important aspects in Information Science, namely, Reference Sources and Information Literacy.

Reference SourcesStudents will be introduced to the information paradigm both in print and electronic formats. Access skills will be discussed together with the new shift of digital information. Understanding that not all sources are of equal value and acquiring the necessary skills for both scenarios is of vital importance.

Information LiteracyStudents will be introduced to the concept of Information Literacy (IL). In the 21st Century society, all speak about the knowledge society. However, neither technology alone nor more access to information will make us IL citizens. Information Literacy is a set of skills through which one becomes a Lifelong Learner.

Aims of the Study Unit LIS 1321To introduce students:

A) To Reference Sources across different platforms and different formats;

B) To the concept of Information Literacy and additionally, becoming information literate themselves.

N.B. This Study Unit will be examined by a 2hr examination.

Main Texts(A) Available from library - (SL) Available from Short Loan

Chowdhury, G.G. Introduction to modern information retrieval 3rd edn., Facet Pub., 2010 (A)

Herring, J.E. Improving students' web use and information literacy, Facet Pub., 2011 (A)

Kovacs, D.K. The virtual reference handbook, Facet Pub., 2007

Lankes, R.D. et al. Virtual reference service, from competencies to assessment, Facet Pub.,2008

Mackey, T.P. & Jacobsen, T.E. (eds). Collaborative information literacy assessments, Neal- Schuman, 2010 (A)---. Teaching information literacy online, Facet Pub., 2011

Taylor, A.G. The organization of information 2nd. edn. Libraries Unlimited. pp. 7-23, 316-320 (A)

Webb, J. Strategic information management: A practitioner's guide, Chandos Pub., Oxford, England, (2008)(SL)

Webster, P.M. Managing electronic resources: New and changing roles for libraries. Chandos Pub. Oxford, England, (2008)(A)

Supplementary ReadingsFeather, J. The information society: A study of continuity and change 5th edn., Facet Pub., 2008 (A)

Kuhlthau, C.C. Seeking meaning: A process approach to library an information services. Libraries Unlimited, Westport, London, 2004

Webb, J. Information literacy. in Strategic information management: A practitioner's guide. Chandos Pub., pp. 127-147 (SL)

Online

Bundy, A. One essential direction: Information literacy, information technology fluency. Journal of eLiteracy, vol. 1, 2004, pp. 7-22, available from,<http://www.jelit.org/6/01/JeLit_1.PDF>. (SL)

Laferla, C. From one to many: Information literacy is key with a soa concept. Unpublished paper. 2008, available from, <http://www.malia-malta.org/media/Rome_doc_points_Final.pdf>. (SL)

Laferla, C. The information professional. Article 2005, available from, <http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=21638>. <http://www.independent.com.mt/news2.asp?artid=21673>. (SL)

Nilsen, K. The library visit study: User experience at the virtual reference desk. Information Research, vol. 9(2), (2004), available from, <http://informationr.net/ir/9-2/paper171.HTML>. (SL)

Smith, A.G. Search features of digital libraries. Information Research, vol. 5(3), (2000), available from <http://informationr.net/ir/5-3/paper73.HTML>. (SL)

Learning Outcomes• Exposure to the Information Paradigm: It’s effect on society at large;

Learning Outcomes• Exposure to the Information Paradigm: It’s effect on society at large;

• Reference Sources of Information: Print & Digital Effects on Society Services & Skills needed

Learning Outcomes• Exposure to the Information Paradigm: It’s effect on society at large;• Reference Sources of Information: Print & Digital Effects on Society Services & Skills needed• The Internet: Techniques Web 2.0 Tools

Learning Outcomes• Information Literacy: Concepts Models Standards

Learning Outcomes

• Opposing Plagiarism: Be Original

• Information Literacy: Concepts Models Standards

Learning Outcomes

• Referencing & Citation Methods

Learning Outcomes

Research Skills

Learning Outcomes

• Library Skills:using booksusing journalsknow the library

•Assignment Principles

Learning Outcomes

• Databases & Indexes

Study Course

• Reference Sources• Students’ Research 2010• Information Literacy• IL Models & Standards• Plagiarism• Internet, People, Information & Knowledge• Knowledge, Information Literacy & Lifelong Learning• Visiting a Specialize Library (IT)

Study Course

Practical Exercise

A) Write a 500w assay on (i) Reference Sources & (ii) IL; Define both concepts and explain them in practical terms.

B) Write-up should include an international citation method.

C) Choose One of the two write-ups and present them in a Web2.0 Format

Thank You

claudio.laferla@um.edu.mt