Then and now; themes in information literacy research in Anglophone countries from 2006-2016

Walton, Geoffrey (2018) Then and now; themes in information literacy research in Anglophone countries from 2006-2016. Education Comparee, 19. pp. 19-42. ISSN 0339-5456

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Abstract

This paper addresses the questions: what were the major information literacy themes over the past decade (2006-16)? (RQ1); what is the current focus of IL research in Anglophone countries? (RQ2). The international conference LILAC (Librarians Information Literacy Annual Conference) was used as a lens through which to explore these developments. The paper seeks to reveal and analyse the major themes that have emerged from these events using qualitative content analysis to categorise findings. LILAC was chosen because: (1) it attracts contributions from around the world (30 countries in 2016) and consistently hosts contribution from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Eire as well as the UK; (2) contributors are drawn from both information professionals as well as the academic research community. Findings show that the IL field is dominated by pedagogic research by librarians working in universities Higher Education to enable undergraduates and postgraduate become information literate. The focus of teaching and learning activities is largely on active learning and practicality or utility with expositions on how this can be achieved. Active learning is described in terms of constructivist and experiential approaches to teaching and learning as a means for maximising student engagement, especially through ‘hands-on’ interactivity using ICT or problem-solving.