Information Literacy And User Education Strategies Course

Introduction

In today's information-driven world, the ability to effectively find, evaluate, and use information is crucial for success in any field. The Information Literacy and User Education Strategies course is designed to provide learners with the skills necessary to teach and guide others in accessing, analyzing, and applying information in an efficient and ethical manner.

This course focuses on the principles and strategies behind information literacy, helping learners understand how to design, implement, and assess user education programs within libraries, educational institutions, and other information service settings. Participants will be introduced to a range of techniques and tools for improving information retrieval and fostering critical thinking among users, ultimately enhancing their ability to make informed decisions in an increasingly complex world.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Library and Information Science Professionals: Librarians and information specialists seeking to improve their information literacy and user education programs.
• Educators and Trainers: Teachers and trainers looking to integrate information literacy into their curricula and teaching practices.
• Students and Researchers: Those who need to enhance their ability to find, evaluate, and utilize information effectively.
• Information Management and Technology Professionals: Individuals responsible for managing or designing information systems who wish to promote user education and literacy.

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand Information Literacy: Define information literacy and recognize its importance in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
• Design Effective User Education Programs: Develop and implement user education strategies tailored to specific target audiences, addressing their needs and information-seeking behaviors.
• Utilize Instructional Technologies: Use modern instructional technologies and tools to facilitate user education and promote information literacy in various settings.
• Assess Information Literacy Skills: Apply various assessment techniques to measure the effectiveness of information literacy instruction and identify areas for improvement.
• Promote Critical Thinking: Encourage users to think critically about the information they encounter, evaluating sources for credibility, accuracy, and relevance.
• Integrate Ethical Practices: Teach users how to evaluate and use information responsibly, including citing sources properly and avoiding plagiarism.
• Foster Lifelong Learning: Promote the development of lifelong learning habits by helping users become independent, self-directed learners in an information-rich environment.

By the end of this course, participants will have the tools and knowledge to empower others with the essential skills of information literacy, ultimately contributing to their personal and professional growth.

DURATION

5 Days

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction to Information Literacy

• Definition and importance of information literacy
• Historical development and context
• Key competencies for information literate individuals
• The role of information literacy in academic and professional success

Theoretical Foundations of Information Literacy

• Information literacy frameworks (e.g., ACRL Framework for Information Literacy)
• Information-seeking behavior models
• Cognitive and metacognitive strategies in information processing

Designing User Education Programs

• Needs assessment and target audience analysis
• Curriculum development for user education
• Setting learning objectives for information literacy programs
• Designing course materials and resources

Instructional Methods and Approaches

• Active learning strategies for information literacy instruction
• Collaborative learning and group work
• Teaching strategies for diverse learner groups
• Use of storytelling and case studies in information literacy education

Integrating Technology into User Education

• Digital literacy and online tools for teaching information literacy
• Virtual learning environments (VLEs) and e-learning platforms
• Webinars, online tutorials, and interactive media
• Gamification and mobile learning applications

Information Retrieval Skills

• Understanding search engines and databases
• Effective use of search queries and filters
• Advanced search techniques for academic and professional information
• Evaluating search results for relevance and quality

Evaluating and Selecting Information Resources

• Criteria for evaluating information quality (authority, accuracy, bias, etc.)
• Scholarly vs. non-scholarly resources
• Differentiating between reliable and unreliable sources
• Tools for evaluating websites, journals, and databases

Critical Thinking and Information Evaluation

• Developing critical thinking skills for information use
• Analyzing information for bias, credibility, and reliability
• Recognizing and addressing misinformation and disinformation
• Strategies for fostering skepticism and curiosity in learners

Copyright, Fair Use, and Plagiarism

• Understanding copyright laws and intellectual property rights
• Guidelines for fair use and citation
• Avoiding plagiarism and promoting academic integrity
• Teaching ethical use of information

Assessment and Evaluation of Information Literacy Programs

• Tools and methods for assessing information literacy skills
• Designing assessments for knowledge and skills
• Formative vs. summative assessments in user education
• Analyzing program outcomes and feedback

1Information Literacy in the Digital Age

• The impact of digital technologies on information literacy
• Developing skills for information navigation on the internet and social media
• The role of social networks and crowdsourced knowledge
• Teaching media literacy in the digital context

Developing and Managing Information Literacy Campaigns

• Creating awareness campaigns for information literacy
• Engaging stakeholders in literacy initiatives (teachers, administrators, etc.)
• Advocacy for integrating information literacy into curricula
• Evaluating the impact of literacy campaigns

Library Services and User Education

• The role of libraries in promoting information literacy
• Developing library instruction services for diverse users
• Collaboration with faculty and departments to integrate information literacy into curricula
• Using library resources effectively in information literacy training

Building Information Literacy Partnerships

• Collaborating with academic departments and faculty
• Partnering with community organizations to promote literacy
• Engaging with external agencies for promoting information literacy in public settings
• Building partnerships with technology providers and other educational institutions

Future Directions and Trends in Information Literacy Education

• The evolving landscape of information literacy
• Emerging trends (e.g., AI in information retrieval, new digital tools)
• The importance of lifelong learning and continuous professional development
• Preparing for the future challenges in information literacy education

These modules offer a comprehensive framework for training individuals in information literacy and user education, ensuring they acquire the necessary skills to teach and guide others in navigating the information-rich world of today.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 5 working days before commencement of the training.