The present study attempted to measure library literacy levels of open or flexible
learners at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) during the 1995 academic year,
and to investigate to what extent the information skills component of TAFE open
learning modules influence adult learners' library literacy levels.
To address these issues, a quasi-experimental research methodology was used to
measure library literacy levels at the beginning and, again, on or near course
completion to ascertain whether any change had occurred, through the administration
of a questionnaire. A number of participants were then interviewed to further validate
the responses fiom the questionnaires.
The study attempted to show that though courses claim to address key competencies
in a vocational education and training environment, one component of the key
competencies, the ability to collect, analyse and organise information, was not being
met. That one component was the ability to locate (or collect) information.
No strong correlations resulted fiom the library literacy levels measured and the
degree to which the key competency was addressed within course modules. No
statistical measures were possible due to the small sample population that eventuated,
though it was almost half the original targeted population. No real gain was achieved
in library literacy levels between the pretest and posttest stages of the research for
either the Experimental or Control groups. Though a highly suitable research
methodology, the quasi-experimental research design did have some limitations in this
piece of research. The CIT flexible learning environment at the time of the study
contributed to the limitations of the study.
However, a number of recommendations were made on the basis of the research
results, advocating some strategies that might be implemented to improve the library
literacy levels of learners undertaking open or flexible delivery courses within CIT,
and suggestions to change the research environment to avoid many of the problems
experienced.
The CIT pilot study was the first known formally documented study of library literacy
levels in an Australian TAFE environment of its kind. The study reflects the literature
published at the time of the study. At that time, the research in this field was minimal.
Many publications and research have emerged since 1995 when this study was
conducted, indicating this is an area of great interest.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218668 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Zobec, Helena, helena.zobec@canberra.edu.au |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Information Management & Tourism |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Helena Zobec |
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