INFORMED LEARNING: REALISING THE POTENTIAL OF THE INFORMATION SOCIETY IN OUR 21ST CENTURY WORLD

Abstract

Information literacy has captured the imagination of library and information professionals. In the last twenty years significant advocacy has occurred putting information literacy issues high on the international agenda. This paper proposes informed learning (the kind of learning made possible by information literacy) as the key to realising the potential of the information society. The paper extends the concept of informed learning in the academic environment, conceptualising its broader role in the information society. In this paper the author (a)review some critical moments in the history of information literacy; (b) propose “informed learning” as the key to realising the potential of the information society in our 21st century world; (c) identify three key outcomes connected with informed learning to be gained from an emphasis on information literacy in many aspects of our social fabric: informed learners, an informed workforce and an informed citizenry; (d)draw upon insights gained from previous research to propose critical characteristics of these three groups, as well as the characteristics of the environments that support them; and (e) suggest some future directions, including the need for strengthened partnerships and research