by L. D. Faison

Created on: September 17, 2010   Last Updated: September 18, 2010

Information Literacy: A Pivotal Influence in Higher Education

The phenomenon of information literacy is indeed an increasingly complex one in just about every profession today. In fact, no other change in our society has presented greater challenges than that of the Information Age (presidential committee). However, in the field of education, which unequivocally contributes to and makes all other professions possible, information literacy has evolved into more than just a technological advancement or another savvy tool promoting its progress. In education, information literacy has become a driving force, the most pivotal influence even, in the field’s ability to progress and succeed during the world’s most rapidly changing times in the areas of scholarship, practice, and leadership.

Scholarship

In past years research showed that, with a few exceptions, students in the United States were globally illiterate, and universities in America focused largely on the United States rather than on equally teaching about other countries and cultures (Lauer & Yodanis, 2004). Although there are various approaches to enhancing the scholarship of students, tools available during today’s Information Age have provided students with more instant access to global information. Thus, the improved and increased teaching of global literacy through information literacy has aided in the increased awareness of American students of the global nature of issues and caused students to ask more questions that transcend national boundaries (Lauer & Yodanis, 2004).

It is necessary for Higher Education trends to change with the times, especially where technology is concerned. As the “Presidential Committee on Information Literacy:  Final Report” (1989) reflected, how America “deals with the realities of the Information Age will have enormous impact . . . on our nation’s ability to compete internationally” (¶ 3).  Scholarship must not be limited to a national basis; it must be opened to the entire world of possibilities.  Information technology has opened up an important portal for American students to not only become American scholars but global ones in the process. 

Practice

In addition to scholarship, teachers and professors in Higher Education have also become influenced to become more effective practitioners that they might produce better, more effective scholarship in the classroom. With the rise in information

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