Information Literate Learners:
1. Recognise that they need information or resources
- identify the purpose of potential resources
- think about and use what they already know about the topic
- consult general information sources to increase their familiarity with the topic
- work out what they need to know
- articulate their problem or project to others
- work out what kind of resources they need
- identify their audience
- identify key concepts and terms so that they can formulate and focus questions
- work out how much information they need
- review their information need after finding out more about their project or question
2. Find the information they need effectively and efficiently through active engagement
- place their topic in a context which makes it easier to search or plan for what is needed
- survey potential sources, e.g. libraries, community resources, digital resources
- use a variety of media
- investigate and select the most appropriate methods or tools for their project
- construct and implement effective search strategies
- select appropriate vocabulary for information searches
- use appropriate means to retrieve primary information, e.g. surveys, interviews
- seek expert advice
- decode information in a variety of forms: written, visual, sound, statistical, graphs, charts, diagrams, tables, creative works
- keep up to date with information sources, technologies, access tools and investigative methods
- cope with the frustration that frequently occurs when sources consulted do not provide the information needed
- collaborate with others to benefit from different leaning styles and knowledge bases
3. Critically evaluate information
- critically evaluate information sources
- define and apply criteria for evaluating information
- assess the usefulness and relevance of the information obtained
- critically evaluate the information-seeking process they are using
- revise strategies as necessary
- identify gaps in the information they have found or processes they have formed
- repeat search using new strategies when necessary
- acknowledge that learning processes may be evolutionary and nonlinear
4. Manage information collected or generated
- record sources
- develop accurate citations
- organise in a manner that supports the purpose or format, e.g. outline, storyboard, model
- classify into types of resources
- store information found so that it can be retrieved when needed
- manipulate information to suit their needs
- redraft
5. Apply prior knowledge and new information to construct new concepts or create new understandings
- select information providing ideas for their topic or project
- summarise main ideas
- synthesise the information found
- recognise interrelationships
- compare new information found with what is already known
- consider the validity of contradictory views
- draw conclusions from information found and areas explored
- incorporate selected information into their knowledge base
- understand how knowledge is a social construction subject to change
6. Use information with understanding
- to learn
- to create new knowledge
- to solve problems
- to make decisions.
Acknowledge cultural, economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information
- use information ethically
- communicate in a medium suited to the area of study
- communicate in a manner suited to the audience
- understand issues relating to plagiarism, privacy, censorship and copyright
- reflect on their inquiry process.
(Adapted from Bundy, 2004, Australian and New Zealand Information Literacy Network: Principles, Standards and Practice.)
