Information Literacy: Essential Skills for the Information Age

Information literacy (IL) is the set of skills and knowledge that allows us to find, evaluate, and use the information we need, as well as to filter out the information we don’t need. IL skills are the necessary tools that help us successfully navigate the present and future landscape of information. Information and technology affects every person in every possible setting—work, education, recreation. This paper offers an overview of IL focusing on three contexts for successful IL learning and teaching: (i) the information process itself, (ii) technology in context, and (iii) implementation through real needs in real situations. The author covers conceptual understandings of IL, the range of IL standards and models, technology within the IL framework, and practical strategies for effective IL skills learning and instruction in a range of situations.