Web Development in Information Science Undergraduate Education: Integrating Information Literacy and Information Technology

Abstract

This article examines the impact of Web development on Information Literacy (IL) and Information Technology (IT) skills in an undergraduate Information Science (IS) course. The purpose of this study is to explore the connections between IL and IT in a collaborative, active learning environment. Descriptive data is analyzed within a larger pedagogical framework that identifies recent trends in IS undergraduate education. As IS programs expand at the undergraduate level, educators are challenged to develop innovative programs that meet the needs of our students, schools, libraries, and society. Data from this study indicates that Web projects engage students in collaborative, problem-solving activities to produce research oriented digital information. This is a promising method for enhancing communication in the classroom and for integrating IL and IT, but more work needs to be done to better understand the role of collaboration in this process.