The thesis reports on the evaluation of a digital information literacy program (DILP) to determine the program’s effectiveness in enhancing students’ digital information literacy skills. The program was originally designed and developed for the South African student, as member of Generation Y, but was adapted to suit the demographics and characteristics of Generation Z. New learning technologies were incorporated to enhance students’ learning experience. One of the characteristics of information literacy programs that illustrate best practice is the evaluation of the program itself to judge it’s effectiveness and validate the program as a learning tool. A review of the literature confirmed the paucity of the evaluation of such programs using assessment of student learning through outcomes assessment instruments, based on information literacy competency standards, designed with proven validity and reliability. The literature review found no evidence of the evaluation of the effectiveness of such programs through meaningful assessment of student learning using outcomes assessment in South Africa. For these reasons, the evaluation of the DILP was undertaken. To evaluate the effectiveness of the DILP, a non-randomised quasi-experimental research design, focusing on a single-group pre-test/post-test design which incorporated a combined quantitative and qualitative research approach was used. The primary research instrument was a pre- and post-test. A group of students, belonging to Generation Y and Z, completed a pre-test, worked through the DILP and completed a post-test. Telephonic and e-mail interviews were used to collect further data. The statistical analysis is presented by using descriptive statistics (stacked bar charts for the quantitative data and pie charts for the qualitative data). Inferential statistics were used to reach conclusions beyond the immediate data presented in the charts. The final step was to judge the overall effectiveness of the DILP. The difference between the means was statistically significant, indicating that the DILP was effective in enhancing the digital information literacy skills of students. Based on this research, additional research could be the evaluation of a DILP designed specifically for “digital natives”; the development of online outcomes assessment instruments for web-based tutorials with proven validity and reliability and research in the area of integrating emerging learning technologies with such programs, evaluating their effectiveness. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

The thesis reports on the evaluation of a digital information literacy program (DILP) to determine the program’s effectiveness in enhancing students’ digital information literacy skills. The program was originally designed and developed for the South African student, as member of Generation Y, but was adapted to suit the demographics and characteristics of Generation Z. New learning technologies were incorporated to enhance students’ learning experience. One of the characteristics of information literacy programs that illustrate best practice is the evaluation of the program itself to judge it’s effectiveness and validate the program as a learning tool. A review of the literature confirmed the paucity of the evaluation of such programs using assessment of student learning through outcomes assessment instruments, based on information literacy competency standards, designed with proven validity and reliability. The literature review found no evidence of the evaluation of the effectiveness of such programs through meaningful assessment of student learning using outcomes assessment in South Africa. For these reasons, the evaluation of the DILP was undertaken. To evaluate the effectiveness of the DILP, a non-randomised quasi-experimental research design, focusing on a single-group pre-test/post-test design which incorporated a combined quantitative and qualitative research approach was used. The primary research instrument was a pre- and post-test. A group of students, belonging to Generation Y and Z, completed a pre-test, worked through the DILP and completed a post-test. Telephonic and e-mail interviews were used to collect further data. The statistical analysis is presented by using descriptive statistics (stacked bar charts for the quantitative data and pie charts for the qualitative data). Inferential statistics were used to reach conclusions beyond the immediate data presented in the charts. The final step was to judge the overall effectiveness of the DILP. The difference between the means was statistically significant, indicating that the DILP was effective in enhancing the digital information literacy skills of students. Based on this research, additional research could be the evaluation of a DILP designed specifically for “digital natives”; the development of online outcomes assessment instruments for web-based tutorials with proven validity and reliability and research in the area of integrating emerging learning technologies with such programs, evaluating their effectiveness. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

This dissertation is a report on a study to investigate the design and development of a digital information literacy program (DILP) for an academic library. The study is concerned with the exploration of the generic profile of the South African student at higher education institutions. The criteria for a digital information literacy program were also established. Based on the criteria and the profile of the students, the digital information literacy program was designed and developed. The research objectives were to * determine a generic profile of the South African student (as a member of Generation Y). * determine the criteria for an information literacy programme (ILP). * determine the criteria that a digital information literacy program should comply with (based on the criteria for a ILP). * design a digital information literacy program by documenting the elements and principles of design, navigation features, site architecture, etcetera. * develop a digital information literacy program by documenting the specific learning objectives and content and creating the Web based program. The study comprises a qualitative research approach and is concerned with the qualities and the characteristics of a phenomenon for better understanding and explanation. A critical analysis of reported research and literature forms the foundation of the study. The design and development of a digital information literacy program were based on the guidelines for Web based instruction in academic libraries. The results of the research enabled the researcher to design and develop the digital information literacy program, by integrating the following: * Characteristics of Generation Y * The criteria for a digital information literacy program * Factors important for designing in a Web environment, namely interactivity, site architecture, navigation features, principles of design, elements of design, incorporating media and learner levels * Authoring, technical aspects and the evaluating and testing of the prototype. The digital information literacy program is designed to provide academic libraries at higher education institutions with a product - a Web published CD - that they can use as is, or adapt according to their specific needs or circumstances, in order to support their students' digital information literacy skills. / Information Science / M.Tech.Information Technology

This dissertation is a report on a study to investigate the design and development of a digital information literacy program (DILP) for an academic library. The study is concerned with the exploration of the generic profile of the South African student at higher education institutions. The criteria for a digital information literacy program were also established. Based on the criteria and the profile of the students, the digital information literacy program was designed and developed. The research objectives were to * determine a generic profile of the South African student (as a member of Generation Y). * determine the criteria for an information literacy programme (ILP). * determine the criteria that a digital information literacy program should comply with (based on the criteria for a ILP). * design a digital information literacy program by documenting the elements and principles of design, navigation features, site architecture, etcetera. * develop a digital information literacy program by documenting the specific learning objectives and content and creating the Web based program. The study comprises a qualitative research approach and is concerned with the qualities and the characteristics of a phenomenon for better understanding and explanation. A critical analysis of reported research and literature forms the foundation of the study. The design and development of a digital information literacy program were based on the guidelines for Web based instruction in academic libraries. The results of the research enabled the researcher to design and develop the digital information literacy program, by integrating the following: * Characteristics of Generation Y * The criteria for a digital information literacy program * Factors important for designing in a Web environment, namely interactivity, site architecture, navigation features, principles of design, elements of design, incorporating media and learner levels * Authoring, technical aspects and the evaluating and testing of the prototype. The digital information literacy program is designed to provide academic libraries at higher education institutions with a product - a Web published CD - that they can use as is, or adapt according to their specific needs or circumstances, in order to support their students' digital information literacy skills. / Information Science / M.Tech.Information Technology