INS1502/501/3/2021
Tutorial Letter 501/3/2021
Developing information skills for lifelong
learning
INS1502
Semester module
Department of Information Science
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Tutorial Letter 501 is the study guide for INS1502.
BARCODE
, CONTENTS
Page
LEARNING UNIT 1 ................................................................................................................................... 9
ORIENTATION TO INFORMATION LITERACY ....................................................................................... 9
1.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 WHAT IS INFORMATION? ......................................................................................................... 10
1.2.1 Data, information and knowledge ................................................................................................ 11
1.2.2 Characteristics of information ...................................................................................................... 12
1.2.3 Types of information ................................................................................................................... 12
1.2.4 The creation, recording and distribution of information ................................................................ 13
1.2.5 The quality of information ............................................................................................................ 14
1.3 THE INFORMATION SOCIETY .................................................................................................. 15
1.4 INFORMATION OVERLOAD ...................................................................................................... 16
1.5 THE ROLE OF ICTs ................................................................................................................... 16
1.6 ICT LITERACY ........................................................................................................................... 18
1.7 INFORMATION LITERACY ........................................................................................................ 19
1.8 IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING ............................ 21
1.9 INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS ........................................................................................... 22
1.10 CONCLUDING REMARKS ......................................................................................................... 22
1.11 QUESTIONS FOR SELF-ASSESSMENT ................................................................................... 22
LEARNING UNIT 2 ................................................................................................................................. 24
PLANNING INFORMATION TASKS AND WORK PLANS ...................................................................... 24
2.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 24
2.2 WHAT IS AN INFORMATION TASK? ......................................................................................... 26
2.3 THE WORK PLAN AS A TOOL IN ACADEMIC WRITING ................................................................ 27
2.4 INTERPRETING THE INFORMATION TASK ............................................................................. 28
2.4.1 What is the topic of the assignment? .......................................................................................... 29
2.4.1.1 Identify keywords ........................................................................................................................ 29
2.4.1.2 Brainstorming.............................................................................................................................. 31
2.4.1.3 Mind mapping ............................................................................................................................. 32
2.4.2 What do I already know about this topic? .................................................................................... 34
2.4.3 Identify the instructions ............................................................................................................... 35
2.4.3.1 Instructional terms....................................................................................................................... 35
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, INS1502/501/3/2021
2.4.3.2 Identify any other instructions or aspects .................................................................................... 38
2.4.4 What type of information is required? .......................................................................................... 38
2.4.5 How much information do I need?............................................................................................... 38
2.5 SURVEYING THE INFORMATION SITUATION ......................................................................... 39
2.6 COMPILING A WORK PLAN ...................................................................................................... 40
2.6.1 Thoughts and ideas .................................................................................................................... 41
2.6.2 Assignment headings.................................................................................................................. 41
2.6.3 Finding sources .......................................................................................................................... 41
2.6.4 Example of a work plan ............................................................................................................... 42
2.7 CONCLUDING REMARKS ......................................................................................................... 45
LEARNING UNIT 3 ................................................................................................................................. 46
PLANNING FOR INFORMATION RETRIEVAL ...................................................................................... 46
3.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 46
3.2 READING SKILLS ...................................................................................................................... 47
3.2.1 Pre-reading ................................................................................................................................. 48
3.2.2 Speed (rapid) reading ................................................................................................................. 48
3.2.3 Skim reading (skimming)............................................................................................................. 49
3.2.4 Scanning..................................................................................................................................... 49
3.2.5 Key reading................................................................................................................................. 50
3.2.6 Study reading.............................................................................................................................. 51
3.2.7 Practical suggestions to ensure efficient reading ........................................................................ 52
3.2.8 Comprehension .......................................................................................................................... 52
3.3 NOTE-TAKING ........................................................................................................................... 53
3.3.1 Methods of taking notes................................................................................................................. 54
3.4 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR THE INFORMATION TASK ................................................... 58
3.4.1 Generations and tools ................................................................................................................. 58
3.4.2 Mobile learning ........................................................................................................................... 59
3.4.3 Electronic mail (e-mail) and mailing lists ..................................................................................... 60
3.4.4 Groups ........................................................................................................................................ 61
3.4.5 Internet Relay Chat (IRC)............................................................................................................ 61
3.4.6 Skype (voice-over-internet protocol) ........................................................................................... 61
3.4.7 Web 2.0 ...................................................................................................................................... 62
3.4.8 Library 2.0 ................................................................................................................................... 62
3.4.9 Social networking ........................................................................................................................ 62
3.4.10 Blogs........................................................................................................................................... 64
3.4.11 Wikis ........................................................................................................................................... 66
3
, 3.4.12 Podcasts ..................................................................................................................................... 68
3.4.13 Social bookmarking..................................................................................................................... 69
3.4.14 Web-based programs ................................................................................................................. 70
3.4.15 Social libraries ............................................................................................................................ 70
3.5 CONCLUDING REMARKS ......................................................................................................... 70
3.6 QUESTIONS FOR SELF-ASSESSMENT ................................................................................... 71
LEARNING UNIT 4 ................................................................................................................................. 80
INFORMATION SOURCES .................................................................................................................... 80
4.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 80
4.2 INFORMATION SOURCES ........................................................................................................ 81
4.2.1 Information types ........................................................................................................................ 82
4.2.2 Formats in which information is stored ........................................................................................ 84
4.3 BOOKS ....................................................................................................................................... 86
4.4 PERIODICALS............................................................................................................................ 88
4.4.1 Scientific journals ........................................................................................................................ 88
4.4.2 Magazines .................................................................................................................................. 88
4.4.3 Newspapers ................................................................................................................................ 89
4.5 READY REFERENCE SOURCES .............................................................................................. 90
4.5.1 Dictionaries ................................................................................................................................. 90
4.5.2 Encyclopaedias ........................................................................................................................... 92
4.5.3 Directories .................................................................................................................................. 93
4.5.4 Yearbooks and almanacs............................................................................................................ 93
4.5.5 Handbooks and manuals ............................................................................................................ 94
4.5.6 Statistical sources ....................................................................................................................... 95
4.5.7 Geographical reference sources ................................................................................................. 95
4.6 OTHER REFERENCE SOURCES .............................................................................................. 96
4.6.1 Government and official publications .......................................................................................... 96
4.6.2 Theses and dissertations ............................................................................................................ 97
4.6.3 Reports ....................................................................................................................................... 97
4.6.4 Conference records .................................................................................................................... 98
4.6.5 Patents ....................................................................................................................................... 99
4.6.6 Standards ................................................................................................................................... 99
4.6.7 Trade literature ........................................................................................................................... 99
4.6.8 Archival records ........................................................................................................................ 100
4.7 OPEN ACCESS TO INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 100
4.8 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE RESOURCES ............................................................................ 101
4.9 BIBLIOGRAPHIC, INDEXING AND ABSTRACTING SOURCES .............................................. 101
4
Tutorial Letter 501/3/2021
Developing information skills for lifelong
learning
INS1502
Semester module
Department of Information Science
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Tutorial Letter 501 is the study guide for INS1502.
BARCODE
, CONTENTS
Page
LEARNING UNIT 1 ................................................................................................................................... 9
ORIENTATION TO INFORMATION LITERACY ....................................................................................... 9
1.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 9
1.2 WHAT IS INFORMATION? ......................................................................................................... 10
1.2.1 Data, information and knowledge ................................................................................................ 11
1.2.2 Characteristics of information ...................................................................................................... 12
1.2.3 Types of information ................................................................................................................... 12
1.2.4 The creation, recording and distribution of information ................................................................ 13
1.2.5 The quality of information ............................................................................................................ 14
1.3 THE INFORMATION SOCIETY .................................................................................................. 15
1.4 INFORMATION OVERLOAD ...................................................................................................... 16
1.5 THE ROLE OF ICTs ................................................................................................................... 16
1.6 ICT LITERACY ........................................................................................................................... 18
1.7 INFORMATION LITERACY ........................................................................................................ 19
1.8 IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION LITERACY AND LIFELONG LEARNING ............................ 21
1.9 INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS ........................................................................................... 22
1.10 CONCLUDING REMARKS ......................................................................................................... 22
1.11 QUESTIONS FOR SELF-ASSESSMENT ................................................................................... 22
LEARNING UNIT 2 ................................................................................................................................. 24
PLANNING INFORMATION TASKS AND WORK PLANS ...................................................................... 24
2.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 24
2.2 WHAT IS AN INFORMATION TASK? ......................................................................................... 26
2.3 THE WORK PLAN AS A TOOL IN ACADEMIC WRITING ................................................................ 27
2.4 INTERPRETING THE INFORMATION TASK ............................................................................. 28
2.4.1 What is the topic of the assignment? .......................................................................................... 29
2.4.1.1 Identify keywords ........................................................................................................................ 29
2.4.1.2 Brainstorming.............................................................................................................................. 31
2.4.1.3 Mind mapping ............................................................................................................................. 32
2.4.2 What do I already know about this topic? .................................................................................... 34
2.4.3 Identify the instructions ............................................................................................................... 35
2.4.3.1 Instructional terms....................................................................................................................... 35
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, INS1502/501/3/2021
2.4.3.2 Identify any other instructions or aspects .................................................................................... 38
2.4.4 What type of information is required? .......................................................................................... 38
2.4.5 How much information do I need?............................................................................................... 38
2.5 SURVEYING THE INFORMATION SITUATION ......................................................................... 39
2.6 COMPILING A WORK PLAN ...................................................................................................... 40
2.6.1 Thoughts and ideas .................................................................................................................... 41
2.6.2 Assignment headings.................................................................................................................. 41
2.6.3 Finding sources .......................................................................................................................... 41
2.6.4 Example of a work plan ............................................................................................................... 42
2.7 CONCLUDING REMARKS ......................................................................................................... 45
LEARNING UNIT 3 ................................................................................................................................. 46
PLANNING FOR INFORMATION RETRIEVAL ...................................................................................... 46
3.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 46
3.2 READING SKILLS ...................................................................................................................... 47
3.2.1 Pre-reading ................................................................................................................................. 48
3.2.2 Speed (rapid) reading ................................................................................................................. 48
3.2.3 Skim reading (skimming)............................................................................................................. 49
3.2.4 Scanning..................................................................................................................................... 49
3.2.5 Key reading................................................................................................................................. 50
3.2.6 Study reading.............................................................................................................................. 51
3.2.7 Practical suggestions to ensure efficient reading ........................................................................ 52
3.2.8 Comprehension .......................................................................................................................... 52
3.3 NOTE-TAKING ........................................................................................................................... 53
3.3.1 Methods of taking notes................................................................................................................. 54
3.4 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR THE INFORMATION TASK ................................................... 58
3.4.1 Generations and tools ................................................................................................................. 58
3.4.2 Mobile learning ........................................................................................................................... 59
3.4.3 Electronic mail (e-mail) and mailing lists ..................................................................................... 60
3.4.4 Groups ........................................................................................................................................ 61
3.4.5 Internet Relay Chat (IRC)............................................................................................................ 61
3.4.6 Skype (voice-over-internet protocol) ........................................................................................... 61
3.4.7 Web 2.0 ...................................................................................................................................... 62
3.4.8 Library 2.0 ................................................................................................................................... 62
3.4.9 Social networking ........................................................................................................................ 62
3.4.10 Blogs........................................................................................................................................... 64
3.4.11 Wikis ........................................................................................................................................... 66
3
, 3.4.12 Podcasts ..................................................................................................................................... 68
3.4.13 Social bookmarking..................................................................................................................... 69
3.4.14 Web-based programs ................................................................................................................. 70
3.4.15 Social libraries ............................................................................................................................ 70
3.5 CONCLUDING REMARKS ......................................................................................................... 70
3.6 QUESTIONS FOR SELF-ASSESSMENT ................................................................................... 71
LEARNING UNIT 4 ................................................................................................................................. 80
INFORMATION SOURCES .................................................................................................................... 80
4.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 80
4.2 INFORMATION SOURCES ........................................................................................................ 81
4.2.1 Information types ........................................................................................................................ 82
4.2.2 Formats in which information is stored ........................................................................................ 84
4.3 BOOKS ....................................................................................................................................... 86
4.4 PERIODICALS............................................................................................................................ 88
4.4.1 Scientific journals ........................................................................................................................ 88
4.4.2 Magazines .................................................................................................................................. 88
4.4.3 Newspapers ................................................................................................................................ 89
4.5 READY REFERENCE SOURCES .............................................................................................. 90
4.5.1 Dictionaries ................................................................................................................................. 90
4.5.2 Encyclopaedias ........................................................................................................................... 92
4.5.3 Directories .................................................................................................................................. 93
4.5.4 Yearbooks and almanacs............................................................................................................ 93
4.5.5 Handbooks and manuals ............................................................................................................ 94
4.5.6 Statistical sources ....................................................................................................................... 95
4.5.7 Geographical reference sources ................................................................................................. 95
4.6 OTHER REFERENCE SOURCES .............................................................................................. 96
4.6.1 Government and official publications .......................................................................................... 96
4.6.2 Theses and dissertations ............................................................................................................ 97
4.6.3 Reports ....................................................................................................................................... 97
4.6.4 Conference records .................................................................................................................... 98
4.6.5 Patents ....................................................................................................................................... 99
4.6.6 Standards ................................................................................................................................... 99
4.6.7 Trade literature ........................................................................................................................... 99
4.6.8 Archival records ........................................................................................................................ 100
4.7 OPEN ACCESS TO INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 100
4.8 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE RESOURCES ............................................................................ 101
4.9 BIBLIOGRAPHIC, INDEXING AND ABSTRACTING SOURCES .............................................. 101
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