Information literacy: A cornerstone for open distance learning at the University of South Africa

Abstract

Librarians in open distance learning institutions are actively encouraged to develop and implement information literacy programmes for students and academics. This has become a necessity in an open distance learning environment because students and academics function in an information environment that is rapidly developing and becoming increasingly complex. Information literacy is described as a skill that is central to learning. Furthermore, rapid development in technology and the proliferation of information has also led to the transformation of teaching methods at open distance learning institutions. As we embrace methods such as e-learning or blended learning, information literacy training still remains an important factor in producing successful programmes. This paper provides an overview of information literacy training carried out by a group of personal librarians at the University of South Africa library. Information literacy training practice and challenges were identified from the literature as well as a web-based survey. Suggestions on how to tackle these challenges are also offered. This brief study suggests that librarians in open distance learning institutions need to adapt their information literacy training practice to suit their clients’ needs in a progressive open distance learning environment.

Provision and Awareness of Digital Library Resources in a Multi-Mode University: Perspectives of Distance Learners and Librarians.

“…Furthermore, these efforts may be enhanced by the development of embedded library services which can appreciably raise the visibility of digital library resources in distance education (Olesova & Melville, 2017). For instance, Mnkeni-Saurombe (2015) recommended that librarians can embed library resources on distance learning management systems by linking module sites to librarians or library websites where most or all relevant digital library resources are explicitly relevant to academic tasks. Again, a snapshot of OPAC results containing relevant books on a particular topic in a course and simple information on how to borrow a book may be very useful for distance learners.…”