Information literacies


Information literacies are the multiple literacies individuals may need to function effectively in the global information society. These are distinct from the broad term information literacy.

Definitions

The definition of literacy is "the ability to read and write". In practice many more skills are needed to locate, critically assess and make effective use of information. By extension, literacy now also includes the ability to manage and interact with digital information and media, in personal, shared and public domains.
Historically, "information literacy" has largely been seen from the relatively top-down, organisational viewpoint of library and information sciences. However the same term is also used to describe a generic "information literacy" skill.

New literacies and 21st century skills

Towards the end of the 20th century, literacy was redefined to include "new literacies" relating to the new skills needed in everyday experience. "Multiliteracies" recognised the multiplicity of literacies, which were often used in combination. "21st century skills" frameworks link new literacies to wider life skills such as creativity, critical thinking, accountability.
What these approaches have in common is a focus on the multiple skills needed by individuals to navigate changing personal, professional and public "information landscapes".

Contemporary views

As the conventional definition of literacy itself continues to evolve among practitioners, so too has the definition of information literacies. Noteworthy definitions include:
The term information literacy covers many distinct fields, which are both distinct and interrelated. The following are key information literacies.
; Critical literacy
; Computer literacy
; Copyright literacy
; Data literacy
; Digital literacy
; Financial literacy
; Health literacy

; Media literacy
; Visual literacy
; Web literacy