An information literacy framework is a conceptual model that outlines the essential aspects of understanding and engaging with information effectively. It provides a structure for educators and learners to develop critical thinking skills related to finding, evaluating, using, and creating information responsibly.
Based on the provided reference, The Framework for Information Literacy is organized into six key areas or frames. Each of these frames is built upon three core components:
- A Concept: A foundational idea central to understanding information literacy within that specific frame.
- A Set of Knowledge Practices: Actions or ways of thinking that learners can do to demonstrate their understanding of the concept.
- A Set of Dispositions: The dispositions described in the reference address the affective, attitudinal, or valuing dimension of learning. They represent the habits of mind or attitudes that predispose learners to engage with information in expert ways.
Understanding the Structure of the Framework
The Framework provides a lens through which to view information literacy not just as a set of skills, but as an interconnected set of understandings that learners develop over time.
Here's a breakdown of the key components within each frame:
- Concepts: These are the big ideas. For instance, one concept might be understanding that information is created to serve a purpose.
- Knowledge Practices: These are observable actions. If the concept is about understanding information creation, a knowledge practice might be "identify the creator and intended audience of a piece of information." These practices illustrate how a learner applies the concept.
- Dispositions: These reflect the learner's attitude or mindset. Following the previous example, a related disposition might be "value transparency in the information-creation process." These are the attitudes that support effective information engagement.
Why Use an Information Literacy Framework?
Utilizing a framework offers several benefits:
- Holistic Understanding: It moves beyond simple "finding information" skills to encompass critical evaluation, ethical use, and responsible creation.
- Adaptability: Frameworks provide a flexible structure that can be adapted to various disciplines and learning environments.
- Learner-Centered: By including dispositions, frameworks acknowledge the importance of attitudes and values in developing information literacy.
- Curriculum Development: They serve as a guide for designing learning experiences and assessing student progress.
Practical Application
Educators can use the concepts, knowledge practices, and dispositions outlined in The Framework to:
- Design Assignments: Create tasks that require students to apply specific knowledge practices (e.g., analyzing source bias).
- Facilitate Discussions: Explore the attitudinal aspects by discussing dispositions related to information sharing or authority.
- Develop Learning Outcomes: Frame learning goals around the concepts and desired student behaviors/attitudes.
- Assess Progress: Evaluate student work based on their ability to demonstrate knowledge practices and articulate their understanding of the underlying concepts.
For example, consider a project where students are researching a controversial topic. Using a framework, an instructor wouldn't just teach them how to search a database, but also encourage dispositions like:
- Valuing diverse perspectives.
- Being open to encountering ideas that challenge their existing beliefs.
- Understanding that expertise is constructed and contextual.
Simultaneously, they would assess knowledge practices such as:
- Locating and critically evaluating sources from different viewpoints.
- Identifying the credentials and potential biases of authors.
- Synthesizing information from multiple sources to form a nuanced understanding.
In summary, an information literacy framework provides a detailed, multi-dimensional model for understanding what it means to be information literate in today's complex information environment, incorporating not just skills but also critical understanding and essential attitudes.
