Achieving Information Literacy

Proposal to the University for an Information Literacy Program (July 2000)

Executive Summary

In response to the University's Strategic Directions plan, and in recognition of the rapidly changing electronic environment, a Working Group, with advice from a Steering Committee established for this purpose, has developed this proposal to address the need for enhanced information literacy within the University community.

Its objectives are to ensure that the University community is knowledgeable about electronic (mainly web-based) information resources and has the skills to build, innovate and discover within the information environment in support of their research, teaching, learning and managing roles. In the increasingly competitive higher education environment the need is now urgent to stay abreast of the competition in utilising technology to enhance our research, teaching and learning and management, and attract and retain students and staff.

An Information Literacy Program (ILP) forms a vital part of the University's Information Plan. This proposal establishes a set of principles on which to move forward quickly and sustain the achievements made. In summary the following initiatives are proposed:

• Agreement on and development of the management structure within which the ILP will operate.
• Appointment of an ILP leader at a senior level and small group of communicators/trainers to develop and deliver elements of the program.
• Identification of other staff whose contribution to the Program will be vital eg. academic staff, Academic Cluster Managers (University Library) and relevant Library staff.

Actions to be taken will include:

• Coordination with programs already in place.
• Further refinement of a costed, integrated set of services and training which will be coordinated centrally, but as far as possible delivered in Schools, Faculties, Centres and Divisions. This should include:

• "Travelling Trainers" who visit Schools, Faculties, Centres and Divisions to deliver information and training to small groups and individuals in the workplace.
• Lab-based training opportunities for staff, local experts and liTSS (Local IT Support Staff).
• Help services within Library buildings, and through the web, telephone and email.
• Expand the concept of InfoPlace - currently in Union Court.
• Develop, in consultation with academic staff, resource guides for staff on information literacy resources available to assist in the incorporation of information literacy elements into the curriculum.
• On-line interactive modules for IT and information literacy, customised for ANU.
• On-line assessment forms, linked to staff and student systems.
• Train-the-trainer programs for non-academic staff who will contribute to the Program.
• Training to update and teach staff in new administrative systems.
• Events and reward to recognise achievements
• Regular review and assessment – quality control and, evaluation.
• Strategies to maintain the information literacy of the University community and to create an environment where staff and students can be responsible for their own learning.
• Promotion and marketing strategy, including well-designed web pages and high-quality publicity materials.

To succeed, the ILP needs the following:

• Endorsement from University leaders.
• A Teaching and Learning Plan, which underpins initiatives to identify graduate attributes our students will have attained (including information literacy) by the time they graduate, and the expectations of our graduates as set out in the University Strategic Plan. The Teaching and Learning Plan will underpin student-focussed initiatives outlined in this proposal.
• Agreement on the basic information literacy competencies needed for staff and students to effectively operate in the current information environment.
• Ready access to a minimum set of 'information tools' for all staff and students.
• Priority access to an on-campus computer learning facility in a central location for staff training. Ideally the facility will be associated with complementary facilities on campus such as the Information Commons.
• Integration with the related programs being undertaken through the ITSMP and other work within the Division of Information.

Funding

This is one of 8 major programs to be funded through the IT Systems Management Plan (ITSMP). Up to $1m has been allocated to this program from the ITSMP over three years. In addition, the Library and IT Services have committed $1.46m over three years and a proposal has been submitted for Plan for Growth funding (since approved).

Areas will be encouraged to build funding into their budgets to maintain the information literacy of staff and students. Arrangements for this ongoing funding should be in place for 2002.