Level Of Information Literacy Research Articles

Vocational Education Normal University Students Information Literacy Training and Smoke-Free Environment Construction Strategy in the New Media Era : Take the Financial Accounting Education major of LNSF College as an example

Objective: The information literacy level of vocational education normal university students in the new media era will directly affect the promotion of vocational education informatization and also affect their enthusiasm to participate in the construction of smoke-free environment in schools. Methods: The status of information literacy of LNSF college students majoring in financial accounting education was investigated online. Results: It was found that the information literacy level of normal university students of finance majors was not high as a whole, the information literacy level of supporting learning was better, the information literacy level of supporting teaching was next, and the basic information literacy level was the lowest. At the same time, it is also found that tobacco advertising in new media brings more and more serious negative effects to teenagers and normal university students of finance majors do not pay enough attention to and participate in the construction of smoke-free environment. Conclusion: It is necessary to strengthen the cultivation of higher order thinking ability of information literacy and information technology integration ability of finance normal university students. Universities should strengthen the construction of smoke-free environment through traditional tobacco control methods and new media tobacco control methods. Normal university students should also use information means to participate in the construction of smoke-free environment.

An Empirical Study on the Influence of Citizen Information Literacy on Smart City Construction under COVID-19 Epidemic

Objectives: The information epidemic caused by COVID-19 in 2019 makes it difficult to find accurate sources or reliable guidance when people need information. During the outbreak of an epidemic, citizens' information literacy level not only affects people's access to relevant information, but also affects how people take timely and appropriate actions after obtaining the correct information. Therefore, it is of great significance to analyze the impact of citizens' information acquisition ability, information evaluation and utilization and information ethics on urban public health emergencies, and to realize the people-oriented core concept of smart city and improve the construction effect of smart city. Methods: Based on the evaluation standard of information literacy for smart city, this paper constructs a structural equation model of citizens' information literacy and smart city for empirical analysis. Results: The results show that there is a significant positive correlation between citizens' information literacy and smart city construction. Conclusions: Improving citizens' information literacy level can effectively promote the development of smart city construction.

Media and Information Literacy of Students – Skills and Challenges in the Context of Political Preferences

The main purpose of this article is to present the link between the level of media and information literacy (MIL) and political preferences of Polish students based on empirical research. MIL is a key issue for today’s societies as it equips citizens with the skills needed to use various media and information channels and exercise their basic human rights. Phenomena such as post-truth, the way people are more inclined to accept arguments based on emotions and beliefs than facts, disinformation and fake news are an important context and subject of ongoing scientific discussions. Keeping in mind the limitations of self-report methods, the authors combine the elements of students’ self-assessment with the questions that test their theoretical knowledge and competences related to recognizing fake news. The research sample consists of 870 students of social sciences and journalism. The results of the research provide detailed knowledge about the level of MIL as well as political preferences of students. By that, authors hope to contribute to the global scientific discussion, offering their research conducted in the context of the declining quality of democracy in Poland.

Evaluation of teachers’ information literacy based on information of behavioral data in online learning and teaching platforms: an empirical study of China

PurposeAdvances in information technology now permit the recording of massive and diverse process data, thereby making data-driven evaluations possible. This study discusses whether teachers’ information literacy can be evaluated based on their online information behaviors on online learning and teaching platforms (OLTPs).Design/methodology/approachFirst, to evaluate teachers’ information literacy, the process data were combined from teachers on OLTP to describe nine third-level indicators from the richness, diversity, usefulness and timeliness analysis dimensions. Second, propensity score matching (PSM) and difference tests were used to analyze the differences between the performance groups with reduced selection bias. Third, to effectively predict the information literacy score of each teacher, four sets of input variables were used for prediction using supervised learning models.FindingsThe results show that the high-performance group performs better than the low-performance group in 6 indicators. In addition, information-based teaching and behavioral research data can best reflect the level of information literacy. In the future, greater in-depth explorations are needed with richer online information behavioral data and a more effective evaluation model to increase evaluation accuracy.Originality/valueThe evaluation based on online information behaviors has concrete application scenarios, positively correlated results and prediction interpretability. Therefore, information literacy evaluations based on behaviors have great potential and favorable prospects.

Students' information literacy level at health faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences: A cross sectional study

Information literacy has been defined as a person's skill in identifying his/her information need and capability in organizing, evaluating and using information effectively. Information literacy provides a basis for lifelong learning and it is essential for all academic levels and all learning environments. This was a descriptive-analytical study that its data was collected via cross-sectional method. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using content analysis. The research population consisted of 179 students studying at the Faculty of Health of Tehran Medical Sciences University. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical tests were used for data analysis in SPSS statistical software. Information literacy of the studied population was estimated as “relatively good”. The general information literacy score of students under 25 years old estimated significantly lower mean than the other two groups (p≤0.04). The “identifying information” component showed the highest (3.88 ± 0.48) and “information management” component showed the lowest (3.62 ± 0.7) mean score. Proper use of information resources in the health sector requires that the students of medical sciences fields master the information literacy skills due to the rapid development of knowledge in health and medical sciences fields. The scope of learning goes beyond the educational environment via information literacy skills. Equipping students with information literacy has a positive effect on the educational and research structure and, consequently, on the executive and management body of the country.

Investigation and Research on the Development Level of Primary School Students' Information Literacy in Western China and its Development Strategy

In this study, the current situation of information literacy level of primary school students in western China, mainly in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, was investigated by Means of questionnaire and interview. The survey results show that there is a big gap between urban and rural primary school students' information literacy level, mainly because rural schools do not enjoy good resource allocation. In addition, it is found that there is no significant difference in information literacy level between genders, but there are still some gender stereotypes. On the whole, students' information literacy level is at a medium level, and information technology use behavior is mostly at a low level, while high-level behavior is less. The information literacy of primary school students in western China still needs further development.

New tools for assessing information literacy

There is a need for short and easily administered measures for assessing students’ levels of information literacy (IL), as currently existing measures are long and cumbersome. We have therefore created a suite of tools, the “Tromsø Information Literacy Suite” (TROILS), for IL assessment. This suite of tools is freely available on an open platform for others to both use, adapt, and supplement. In this presentation, we introduce three TROILS assessment tools: 
 1.a test to assess students’ knowledge of key aspects of IL
 2.a source evaluation measure to assess students’ abilities to select and critically evaluate sources
 3.a source use measure to assess students’ abilities to use sources correctly when writing
 Together, these tools measure what students know and do regarding key facets of IL. We will discuss the tools’ development and present results of our research with students at different levels higher education.The IL test was developed using procedures intended to ensure acceptable psychometric measurement properties. These included expert consultation for content validity, student think-aloud-protocols for readability, item selection based on a pilot sample, exploratory factor analysis, and measures of reliability and validity. The test was deployed during the fall semester of 2019. In addition to assessing students’ IL levels, test results were used to explore the dimensionality of the IL construct. Results indicate that IL is a heterogeneous construct, and we will discuss important implications of this find for how IL is measured. Results from the source evaluation and source use measures were compared with test results to see whether what the students actually do in their coursework correlates with what they know, based on the test. Results indicate weak to moderate, but statistically significant, correlations. All three measures will be used longitudinally to measure students’ progress over three years.

Entrepreneurial capabilities of librarians in university libraries: A cross-contextual study on the impact of information literacy

ABSTRACTA wide range of factors would affect entrepreneurial thinking and acting in academic environments. The current study examined whether the information literacy competencies of the librarians in two sets of universities would influence their entrepreneurial capabilities. Two reliable questionnaires related to the two main variables were administered among 177 librarians working in central libraries of three top medical and three top non-medical universities in Iran. Data gathered were then analyzed by the statistical software LISREL 8.7 and SPSS 20.0. Following the confirming correlation between the two variables, the reliability test showed that all indexes have acceptable values of t-statistic and factor loadings. Confirmatory Factor Analysis using Structural Equation Modeling resulted in fit indices in acceptable ranges indicating a good fit for the research model. Path analysis showed that information literacy had a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial capabilities of autonomy, locus of control, need for achievement, creativity and risk-taking respectively. Although the level of information literacy did not differ between men and women and between the two sets of universities, there existed some slight differences in entrepreneurial capabilities regarding gender and context. The understanding of the impact of information literacy on entrepreneurial capabilities has significant implications for librarians and library administrators.

CHOPPED-POT SITUATION IN TEACHERS DEVELOPMENT VIA ACTION RESEARCH TECHNIQUES IN CYBER ERA

Chopped-pot (chop pot) is a poker term and a critical opening metaphor for this article. Applied action research steps and these extensions are necessary for practice during a pandemical situation in unstable and challenging teaching at universities in Czechia. Forms of teaching, personal contact and process of monitoring students’ results have changed dynamically. Mass influence of pandemic situation stopped actions at schools and many institutions all over the world. In Czechia, there has been transferred all practical and cognitive (theoretical) subjects to cyberspace. Due to the lack of government information, public fear and low digital literacy level, students have been learning in virtual classes and individual consultations. Many of them have lost contact with their critical practice and opportunities to transfer their knowledge into the school environment. We tried to modify classical action research approaches to new conditions in cyberspace and use it for pre-service and teachers’ innovation from an innovative perspective. In the methodological part, there is research presented from a full semester of gradual teachers’ development. The constructed research tool was tested in virtual conditions and monitored activities and the progress of development in teachers’ self-reflection for their future daily practice. The mixed design of research tools and a combination of the postproduction process of data open scientific feedback for their subjective inquiries in the individual personal development of educational staff in Czechia via action research model.

Tingkat Literasi Informasi Siswa MAN 1 Jembrana Menggunakan BIG 6 Model

This study aims to determine the level of information literacy of students in MAN 1 Jembrana. This research uses descriptive quantitative method. The population in this study were students of class XI MAN 1 Jembrana with a total of 200 people. Sampling in this study was 10% using the random sampling method using the Slovin approach. The data collection technique used in this study is a closed questionnaire. The results show that the level of information literacy of students in MAN 1 Jembrana is included in the good category, by obtaining an overall average score of 3.15..

THE LEVEL OF INTEREST AND INFORMATION LITERACY OF STUDENTS OF THE MAKASSAR TOURISM POLYTECHNIC IN LEARNING ISLAM

This study focused on the level of interest and information literacy of students in learning Islam, particularly at the Makassar Tourism Polytechnic campus. According to the researcher, it is necessary to research this issue to find out the extent of the information literacy skills and interest of the students of Tourism Polytechnic in improving their knowledge of Islam and the extent of their readiness to apply the knowledge they obtain in society. This study used a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire by employing a Likert scale. The results showed that the average students’ interest in learning Islam was 65.25% or categorized in the high level However, this figure had not yet reached a very high level. Therefore, motivation and more effective and fun teaching methods for students are needed to improve their interests. Meanwhile, the average level of media literacy skills was 79.38 or categorized in the high level. On average, they had been able to use information media as a learning resource independently. They had implemented part of the information literacy model, which was the identification of needs before searching. Regarding the literature they chose to access to information, they tended to prefer instant access to information, which was the internet. Meanwhile, interest in printed books was very low. Therefore, they require a good understanding and education on how to trace valid information through various relevant information media.

Information literacy skills among high school students: An exploratory study of six schools in the South East region of Botswana

Over the past four decades or so, information literacy skills have quickly gained centre-stage status in the educational sector as a strategy of coping with the overload of information. This study reports the results of an exploratory investigation (N=279) into information literacy skills among final year high school students in six schools located in the south eastern Botswana. The objectives of the study were twofold: (1) to determine the information literacy level among final year students, and (2) to gain a broader understanding of information literacy skills practices in Botswana high schools. Data were gathered via self-administered questionnaires and additional qualitative data were obtained from structured interviews with teacher-librarians. Results indicate three main issues: first, poor information skills among the students; second, heavy reliance on the use of prescribed textbooks; and finally, the curriculum as a barrier towards the effective integration of information literacy skills into the educational system.

A case study of the relationship between smallholder farmers' ICT literacy levels and demographic data w.r.t. their use and adoption of ICT for weather forecasting

Food insecurity caused by climate change has become one of the main issues on the global agenda. Worldwide, the importance of digital tools as a means to enhance adaptive capacity and resilience of smallholder farmers (SHFs) in the face of climate variability has long been recognised. Technology-based systems in agriculture frequently neglect to consider the actual context of use and adoption by SHFs in rural and developing contexts. These conditions, as pointed out in the literature, range from high “illiteracy” rates to poor technology infrastructure to a requirement for smartphone-based technology of which very few SHFs in the developing world can take advantage. However, very little is known about the information and communication technology (ICT) literacy levels of SHFs in general in terms of supporting them in their farming decisions. This paper, therefore, explores the ICT literacy levels of Msinga SHFs in order to understand what could enhance their use and adoption of ICT for weather forecasting. Msinga is a hotspot for climate change. Consequently, the means of livelihood of the SHFs in this municipality have been negatively impacted.Volunteering sampling was used, in which 35 SHFs were purposively selected from a population of 100 SHFs who belong to the Asisukume Msinga Agricultural Cooperative (AMAC) – all irrigation farmers. A sequential transformative mixed method design, embedded in an Indigenous research framework, was employed. This paper reports on the quantitative aspects of the study which addressed the following two research questions: (i) What are Msinga SHFs ICT literacy capability levels? and (ii) What is the relationship between SHFs ICT levels and their demographic data w.r.t. their adoption of ICT tools in their agricultural practices? Data were collected using a demographic details questionnaire (examining age, marriage, educational level, and years of farming experience) and an assessment of ICT literacy (assessing 5 ICT literacy skills which included mobile phone symbol identification to advanced ICT literacy). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically the use of Spearman rank-order correlation using IBM® Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS®), version 20.The results suggest that for the ICT literacy levels, SHFs were not able to display use of the various ICT related skills, with the exception of ICT levels 1 and 2 where satisfactory display of ICT literacy were displayed among most of the SHFs. When examining the associations between ICT literacy levels and the demographic variables, significant negative associations were found between the ICT literacy levels and age as well as years of experience, while significant positive associations were found between ICT literacy levels and educational level. The results, furthermore, suggest that marital status has no correlation with ICT literacy proficiency.The findings arising from this study highlight the “importance of context” in helping SHFs to mitigate the threats of climate change on food production, an issue that is completely ignored in curriculum policies and policies aimed at integrated national adaptation responses to climate change impact and vulnerability.

Community Learning Center Efforts to Improve Information Literacy in the Community for Cyber Crime Prevention during a Pandemic

This study explores the community learning centers' effort in improving the community's information literacy to prevent cybercrime during the pandemic era through an empirical examination of the phenomenon of pandemic COVID 19 social impacts in the specific context of Indonesia. The study used a simple research design approach with the case study method. The subject of this study consisted of five Community Learning Center’s managers from Cimahi District (CLC Nurul Islam Al Husna), Garut District (CLC Ngejah), East Jakarta District (CLC Faradika), and Karawang District (CLC Ash Sholahiyah and CLC Sanggar Juang), and two community education experts from Indonesia. Data were analyzed using triangulation, including extensive interviews from five community learning center's managers, interviews with community education experts, as well as secondary data. The study found that community learning center's efforts consist of conducting virtual socialization and also mentoring the community on information literacy, revitalizing parenting education on guiding children during their screen time, activating community reading center to create a lively discussion, and fostering community's critical thinking and information assessment. The contribution of this study to the literature on community education consists of presenting empirical evidence on the real contribution of Community Learning Center in improving the community's information literacy level while preventing the wide spreading of cyber-crime during the pandemic COVID 19 era.

A Study in the Early Prediction of ICT Literacy Ratings Using Sustainability in Data Mining Techniques

It would be very beneficial to determine in advance whether a student is likely to succeed or fail within a particular learning area, and it is hypothesized that this can be accomplished by examining student patterns based on the data generated before the learning process begins. Therefore, this article examines the sustainability of data-mining techniques used to predict learning outcomes. Data regarding students’ educational backgrounds and learning processes are analyzed by examining their learning patterns. When such achievement-level patterns are identified, teachers can provide the students with proactive feedback and guidance to help prevent failure. As a practical application, this study investigates students’ perceptions of computer and internet use and predicts their levels of information and communication technology literacy in advance via sustainability-in-data-mining techniques. The technique employed herein applies OneR, J48, bagging, random forest, multilayer perceptron, and sequential minimal optimization (SMO) algorithms. The highest early prediction result of approximately 69% accuracy was yielded for the SMO algorithm when using 47 attributes. Overall, via data-mining techniques, these results will aid the identification of students facing risks early on during the learning process, as well as the creation of customized learning and educational strategies for each of these students.

Integrating Digital Competence in Higher Education Curricula: An Institutional Analysis

Digital competence is key for students in the 21st century. The present study analyses the extent to which digital competence has been integrated at a Catalan university with 11,362 undergraduate students. To obtain the data, we: (1) analysed the digital competence content in the curricula of 40 bachelor’s degrees; and (2) had the results checked by an 11-expert focus group. We found that the more technical degrees have the most integrated indicators of technological literacy while the other knowledge areas have a higher level of information literacy. Educational institutions therefore need to help students develop this competence which is so necessary for 21st-century students. This study reports interesting results on the presence of digital competence in the curricula of an entire institution and can be useful for improving the institution as a whole and the curricula.

Online education in human capital formation of new quality

The paper deals with the online education forms’ development during the period of restrictions associated with the spread of Covid-19. The growing demand for distance education services for children and adults has been called the forced isolation of students during a pandemic, as well as independent people's need for self-development and self-education. Using the example of the Republic of Karelia, we note that of the large number of educational platforms operating within the framework and providing online access to resources, the following were most in demand: Uchi.ru, Yaklass.ru, Google class, Skysmart.ru, Resh.edu.ru, and also Russia.foxford.ru, Infourok.ru, Online Test Pad, Moodle. In the current conditions, the positive effects of online education were an increase in the general level of media and information literacy of both children and adults, an increase in the quality and development of educational Internet resources, the formation of digital competencies in children and adults for life and work in the new realities of the development of society.

What is the role of libraries in disseminating knowledge about South African intellectual property laws in rural communities?

This study investigated a rural community in a village in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, to access what was known about South African intellectual property (IP) laws. The study sought to establish whether the local libraries played any role in educating the community about these laws. A qualitative method using grounded theory was adopted for this study. Focus group discussions were used to elicit data from twenty-nine community members. They were chosen purposively because they were knowledge holders in various indigenous knowledge practices. Semi-structured interviews elicited data from two primary school educators. They were selected because the studied community members indicated that they shared knowledge with them on crop farming. The findings revealed that the community members did not have any knowledge about South African IP laws. Local libraries, such as school libraries, did not play any role in educating them about local IP laws as the two educators who were interviewed also did not have any background knowledge about South African IP laws. The study concluded that the community needs to be educated about these laws. Because of the low levels of information literacy of the community members, libraries must help in repackaging and simplifying this information to facilitate its access. The community can be educated on how to register individual and communal IP. In post-colonial South Africa, this action is crucial for socio-economic development purposes.

Increasing information competence through inclusion in mathematics lessons in primary school

This article examines two areas of information literacy formation in primary school students. The complex of skills and the content of the material in each direction have been clarified: "Reading. Working with text"and"Formation of ICT competence of students".Based on the analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature, systematization and generalization of the experience of primary school teachers, shortcomings in the wording of tasks and the provision of various forms of information were indicated. Authors of textbooks, teachers often omit these questions, because they do not consider them necessary, and as a result, the correct approach to reading the relevant information is not formed. On the basis of the above, the initial provisions are determined and additional tasks are proposed that increase the level of information literacy of primary schoolchildren.

Teachers' profiles of ICT-related dispositions and relations to secondary school students’ information literacy: a latent profile analysis

Teachers play a significant role in integrating information and communication technology (ICT) in schools as well as in fostering information literacy among students. However, there is a lack of research that focuses on the differential influence of teachers' profiles concerning ICT-related dispositions on students' information literacy. To fill this gap, the present study examined whether teacher profiles differ in terms of their ICT-related dispositions. If so, the relationship between the identified teachers' profiles and their students' information literacy was investigated. Three distinct teacher profiles were identified based on their ICT-related dispositions: negative users, moderate users, and positive users. In addition, teachers' ICT-related dispositions were found to significantly affect students' information literacy. Specifically, students from schools with a higher percentage of positive teachers demonstrated higher levels of information literacy than other students. This finding confirms the importance of teachers' ICT-related dispositions for improving students' information literacy. Based on these findings, this paper discusses several implications and strategies for enhancing teachers' ICT-related dispositions, as well as students' information literacy.