Assessing Information, Media, and Data Literacy in Academic Libraries
From the Article's Conclusion:
Information Literacy (IL), Media Literacy (ML), and Data Literacy (DL)
Maria Pinto, Javier Garcia-Marco, David Caballero, Ramón Manso, Alejandro Uribe, Carmen Gomez,
Assessing information, media and data literacy in academic libraries: Approaches and challenges in the research literature on the topic, The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Volume 50, Issue 5, 2024, 102920, ISSN 0099-1333,
There was a general consensus in the analyzed publications on the importance of IL and ML assessment using a librarian approach as a preliminary step in diagnosing and implementing specific training actions. The tests allowed us to confirm both that there is a need for IL, given the deficiencies that students demonstrated, and that the training programs and activities carried out were effective. A variety of studies analyzed the assessment tools, library instruction's impact on academic performance, and the information literacy skills of university students in different degrees. They concluded that such instruction has a positive and significant effect. Fundamental factors in this success were adequate motivation and students' direct involvement and participation. Despite the fact that different educational programs and training activities have been included in different curricula, we are still far from reaching the optimal targets when it comes to integrating IL competencies into the curriculum, and the remaining work lies largely with librarians and motivated teachers.
The learning components assessed in the studies were mostly related to the search for, retrieval of, and assessment of information, aspects fundamentally associated with IL competencies acquisition. By comparison, the incorporation of media (ML) and data (DL) skills—essential so that citizens can make better use of media content and the open data movement, be aware of their online rights, and counter misinformation—has not progressed as quickly in the library environment.