Learning Objects

Able to identify a personal need for information

Understands:

• That new information and data is constantly being produced and that there is always more to learn 
• That being information literate involves developing a learning habit so new information is being actively sought all the time 
• That ideas and opportunities are created by investigating/seeking information 
• The scale of the world of published and unpublished information and data

Can construct strategies for locating information and data

Understands:

• The range of searching techniques available for finding information.
• The differences between search tools, recognising advantages and limitations
• Why complex search strategies can make a difference to the breadth and depth of information found
• The need to develop approaches to searching such that new tools are sought for each new question (not relying always on most familiar resources)
• The need to revise keywords and adapt search strategies according to the resources available and / or results found
• The value of controlled vocabularies and taxonomies in searching

Can apply the knowledge gained: presenting the results of their research, synthesising new and
old information and data to create new knowledge and disseminating it in a variety of ways

Understands:

• The difference between summarising and synthesising
• That different forms of writing/ presentation style can be used to present information to different communities
• That data can be presented in different ways
• Their personal responsibility to store and share information and data
• Their personal responsibility to disseminate information & knowledge
• How their work will be evaluated
• The processes of publication
• The concept of attribution
• That individuals can take an active part in the creation of information through traditional publishing and digital technologies (e.g. blogs, wikis)

Can assess current knowledge and identify gaps

Understands:

• What types of information are available
• The characteristics of the different types of information source available to them and how they may be affected by the format (digital, print) 
• The publication process in terms of why individuals publish and the currency of information
• Issues of accessibility
• What services are available to help and how to access them

Can review the research process and compare and evaluate information and data

Understands:

• The information and data landscape of their learning/research context
• Issues of quality, accuracy, relevance, bias, reputation and credibility relating to information and data sources
• How information is evaluated and published, to help inform personal evaluation process
• The importance of consistency in data collection
• The importance of citation in their learning/research context

Can organise information professionally and ethically

Understands:

• Their responsibility to be honest in all aspects of information handling and dissemination (e.g. copyright, plagiarism and intellectual property issues)
• The need to adopt appropriate data handling methods
• The role they play in helping others in information seeking and management
• The need to keep systematic records
• The importance of storing and sharing information and data ethically
• The role of professionals, such as data managers and librarians, who can advise, assist and support with all aspects of information management

Can locate and access the information and data they need

Understands:

• How information and data is organised, digitally and in print sources
• How libraries provide access to resources
• How digital technologies are providing collaborative tools to create and share information
• The issues involved in collecting new data
• The different elements of a citation and how this describes an information resource
• The use of abstracts
• The need to keep up to date with new information
• The difference between free and paid for resources
• The risks involved in operating in a virtual world
• The importance of appraising and evaluating search results