Abstract:
The paper is largely based on review of existing literature on teaching and learning Information Literacy (IL), both online
and in print. It reports on studies about the teaching and learning of IL in some institutions of higher learning. It also
discusses lists of competencies, and descriptions of information literacy programmes and courses. In addition, the paper
intends to compare literature on various IL undertakings in the developed countries to IL initiatives being undertaken in
some developing countries, particularly, in some African Universities. The paper also discusses some challenges faced in
the teaching and learning of IL in some institutions of higher learning. Some of these include technological issues, diverse
groups, language and cultural barriers and time and lack of computers.
The paper has been able to unearth the dearth of studies on information literacy in Africa and concludes that information
on IL is mostly Euro-centric; there is little happening in African countries, except for South Africa where there have a been
a number of inititiatives. The paper has demonstrated that Information Literacy is being taken seriously as a module or
course at some institutions of higher learning in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and Malawi, although a lot more needs to
be done in terms of facilities and equipment which are vital in inculcating IL skills in students.
Description:
Peer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso, Volume 2, Issue 1, Jan 2010, p. 21 - 31
