Journal of Applied Information Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

The Impact of Information Literacy Skills on the Performance of Past Students at their Workplaces:The Case of University of Cape Coast, Ghana


Affiliations
1 The Main Library, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
2 Sam Jonah Library, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Purpose: The study focused on the impact of information literacy studied at the University of Cape Coast on the work people do at their workplaces. Specifically it points out how lecturers may be involved in developing the skills of students to enable them maximise the use of informational resources to meet the requirements of the work they do.

Methodology: The study embraced old students of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and Head of ten Departments at where the majority of the respondents worked. Survey method was used for the study with questionnaires and interview as the instruments of data collection for the past students and Head of Departments of old students respectively. Findings The study revealed that the benefits of information literacy are enormous; thus information literacy is a contributory factor to performance of workers and employability of job seekers. Employers are now embanking on numerous trainings to make employees information literates.

Implication: More need to be done by lecturers of the Information Literacy Skills Unit of the University of Cape Coast to make the course more transferrable

Originality: UNESCO's assertion that information literacy is a process for lifelong learning and an attribute of employability is a cause for concern, hence looking at how the transition from academic work to workplace calls for study.


Keywords

Human Capital, Information Literacy, Socio-Economic Development, Knowledge, Workplace.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Afful-Arthur, P., & Filson, C. K. (2015). Strengthening the teaching of information literacy skills: Case of University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 8(2), 72-79.

  • American Library Association. (1989). Presidential Committee on Information Literacy Final Report

  • Chicago: American Library Association.

  • Brage, C., Rosell, M., Westerlund, J., Axelsson, M. L., Gustafsson, A. K., & Oström, M. (2012). The transition of academic information literacy into workplace information literacy - A challenge ahead. In 5th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, (pp. 5642-5648).

  • Chinery, J. D. (2001). The impact of training and development on employees performance in organisations: A case study of Environmental and Protection Agency. (Unpublished Masters dissertation) University of Ghana, Legon.

  • Costa, C. (2009). Use of Online Information Resources by RMIT University Economics, Finance, and Marketing Students Participating in a Cooperative Education Program. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 40(1), 36-49.

  • Crawford, J., & Irving, C. (2012). Information literacy in employability training: The experience of Inverclyde Libraries. Retrieved from http://www.therightinformation.org/about/

  • Crawford, J., & Irving, C. (2009). Information literacy in the workplace Christine e: A qualitative exploratory study. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 41(1), 29-38.

  • Dadzie, S. P. (2008). Promoting information literacy: The role of the librarian. INASP Newsletter (pp.

  • -30).

  • Guile, D., & Young, M. (2002). Beyond the Institution of apprenticeship: Towards a social theory of learning as the Production of Knowledge.In R. Harrison, F. Reeve, A. Hanson and J. Clarke (eds). Supporting Lifelong Learning, Perspectives on Learning London: Routledge, (pp. 146-162).

  • Heichman Taylor, L. (2008). Information literacy in subject-specific vocabularies: A path to critical thinking. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 15(12), 141-158.

  • Herring, J. E. J. C. E. A. (2011). From school to work and from work to school: Information environments and transferring information literacy practices.Information Research, 16(2), 3-19.

  • Johnston, B., & Webber, S. (2003). Information literacy in higher education: A review of case study.

  • Studies in Higher Education, 28(3), 335-352.

  • Kirkton, J., & Barham, L. (2005). Information Literacy in the Workplace. Retrieved from http:// alia.org.au/publishing/alj/54.4/full.text/ki (Accessed on March 16, 2016).

  • Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (2002). Legitimate Peripheral Participation in Communities of Practice. In R.

  • Harrison, F. Reeve, A. Hanson & J. Clarke (eds.).Supporting Lifelong Learning, Perspectives on Learning. London: Routledge. (pp. 111-126).

  • Lloyd, A. (2003). Information literacy: The metacompetency of the knowledge economy? An exploratory paper. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 35(2), 87-92.

  • Rader, H. B. (2005). The Global Significance of Information Literacy in Workforce DevelopmentAn International Perspective. Paper presented at the UNESCO Thematic Debate on information literacy.

  • Thomas. N. P. (2004). Information literacy and Information Skills Instruction: Applying Research to Practice in the School Library. Library Media Centre, London: Libraries Unlimited Inc.

  • Zurkowski, P. (1974). The information service environment relationships and priorities. Related Paper No. 5. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED100391 (Accessed on March 16, 2016).


Abstract Views: 194

PDF Views: 2




  • The Impact of Information Literacy Skills on the Performance of Past Students at their Workplaces:The Case of University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract Views: 194  |  PDF Views: 2

Authors

Christohper Kwame Filson
The Main Library, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Paulina Nana Yaa Kwafoa
Sam Jonah Library, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract


Purpose: The study focused on the impact of information literacy studied at the University of Cape Coast on the work people do at their workplaces. Specifically it points out how lecturers may be involved in developing the skills of students to enable them maximise the use of informational resources to meet the requirements of the work they do.

Methodology: The study embraced old students of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and Head of ten Departments at where the majority of the respondents worked. Survey method was used for the study with questionnaires and interview as the instruments of data collection for the past students and Head of Departments of old students respectively. Findings The study revealed that the benefits of information literacy are enormous; thus information literacy is a contributory factor to performance of workers and employability of job seekers. Employers are now embanking on numerous trainings to make employees information literates.

Implication: More need to be done by lecturers of the Information Literacy Skills Unit of the University of Cape Coast to make the course more transferrable

Originality: UNESCO's assertion that information literacy is a process for lifelong learning and an attribute of employability is a cause for concern, hence looking at how the transition from academic work to workplace calls for study.


Keywords


Human Capital, Information Literacy, Socio-Economic Development, Knowledge, Workplace.

References