Information literacy

What is Information Literacy?

Librarians call it Information Literacy, but a clearer definition would be Academic and employability skills.

The library is happy to offer support on information literacy training, based on SMILE on Blackboard.

What is SMILE?

SMILE shows students:

the different types of information available
how to search effectively
how to evaluate the quality of the information you retrieve
how to avoid plagiarism and understand the ethical use of information
to understand the principles of academic study and writing and to communicate their findings effectively

SMILE has been mapped against the National Information Literacy Framework (Scotland), GCU Graduate attributes and CBI graduate attributes. A table showing this mapping is at the foot of this page.

Students can use SMILE to become an independent learner - confident in theirr ability and able to transfer their skills to the work place. SMILE is available on the library tab in Blackboard.

If you would like to have SMILE added to your blackboard module or to arrange some student sessions using SMILE, contact Marion Kelt on x1208.

National Information Literacy Framework (Scotland)	GCU attribute	CBI attribute	SMILE module and notes	When?
Not explicit in framework	Dynamic and self-motivated	Self-management: Time management, self starter Positive attitude	Time management module (this includes motivation)	Year 1
1.The ability to recognise a need for information	Critical thinking skills and problem solving	Problem solving: analysing facts	Understanding the question Gathering information	Early Year 1
2.The ability to distinguish ways in which the information ‘gap’ may be addressed: knowledge of appropriate kinds of resources, both print and non-print selection of resources with ‘best fit’ for task at hand the ability to understand the issues affecting accessibility of sources	Analytical thinking skills, creative thinking skills and problem solving	Problem solving: developing solutions	Gathering information Finding information	Year 1
3. The ability to construct strategies for locating information to articulate information need to match against resources to develop a systematic method appropriate for the need to understand the principles of construction and generation of databases	Analytical thinking skills, creative thinking skills and problem solving	Problem solving: developing solutions	Gathering information Finding information	Year 1
4. The ability to locate and access information to develop appropriate searching techniques (e.g. use of Boolean logic) to use communication and information technologies to use appropriate indexing and abstracting services, citation indexes and databases to use current awareness methods to keep up to date	Analytical thinking skills, creative thinking skills and problem solving Information literacy skills, navigate digital communication systems and use various platforms	Problem solving: developing solutions Application of information technology	Finding information Current awareness Develop digital literacy in managing information module including Your digital footprint – Data protection management, USB sticks & laptops, backing up your work	Year 1

Information literacy

What is Information Literacy?

What is SMILE?

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