Teacher understandings and perceptions of information literacy

Abstract

Purpose: The aims of this research were to provide evidence on how much teachers know about information literacy, how information literate they are, if information literacy was part of their teacher training, their views on the place of the concept in the Northern Ireland curriculum and if it formed part of their teaching practice.

Methodology: A mixed methods approach was undertaken to conduct this research; qualitative and quantitative methods were used. A questionnaire was distributed to teachers in a selection of secondary schools in Northern Ireland. Interviews were also conducted with school library staff, a curriculum and exam board representative and teacher educators.

Results: The findings of this research indicated that these teachers generally do not know what information literacy is, that they possess underdeveloped information literacy skills and had misplaced confidence in their abilities. The majority of teachers reported not receiving any information literacy training during their initial teacher education. The majority did not provide information literacy skills instruction or collaborate with their school librarian.

Originality: While there is a wealth of existing research on information literacy, there is very little on how information literate teachers are, how much they know about the concept or their understanding of it. This study will fill a gap in the literature and it has provided insight into an area not previously examined in Northern Ireland. It is unique as it includes the views of school library staff, teacher educators and a curriculum/exam board representative on the issue.

Conclusion: This study has found that information literacy is not well-known in the education sector and that work needs to be carried out to raise the profile of information literacy skills as important lifelong learning skills, particularly amongst teacher educators and teachers so that they and their students benefit from effective skills instruction.

Date of Award	Oct 2016
Original language	English
Sponsors	Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland
Supervisor	Jessica Bates (Supervisor), Jacqueline Reilly (Supervisor) & Aideen Hunter (Supervisor)