Is an online learning module an effective way to develop information literacy skills?

Abstract

Information literacy is an integral generic skill or graduate attribute in higher education, with many higher education institutions developing information literacy policies and including information literacy in graduate attribute policies. Barrie (2007) notes that universities around the world are increasingly concerned with ensuring that their students develop attributes which will better equip them for the world of work. This paper focuses on online learning and its effectiveness in developing graduate attribute skills, particularly information literacy skills. The project outlined in this paper revealed that students who completed an online information literacy tutorial gained an understanding of information literacy concepts and that the flexible, self-paced delivery of this module was an effective way for students to develop information literacy skills.