Skyline College Library
Information Literacy Instructional Links

Skyline College Information Literacy Requirement

Information literacy is now one of the "Basic Competency Requirements" for graduation from Skyline College with an A.A. or A.S. degree for students with catalog rights beginning Fall 2011.


DEFINITION OF INFORMATION LITERACY

 

Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, organize, use, and communicate information in all its various formats, most notably in situations requiring decision making, problem solving, or the acquisition of knowledge.  It is a combination of research skills, critical thinking skills, computer technology skills, and communication skills.  Information literacy is essential for academic success, effective functioning in the workplace, and participation in society as knowledgeable citizens.

The goal of this requirement is to help you become a more sophisticated, discerning, and confident researcher, and to lay the foundation for independent lifelong learning. Upon successful completion of the information literacy requirement, you will be able to:

·         Articulate a focused research question, topic, or information need.

·         Identify a variety of types and formats of information sources and select appropriate search tools to find the needed information.

·         Develop and execute an effective research strategy using a wide range of search tools, accurately interpret results, and find authoritative information pertinent to the topic.

·         Evaluate the relevance, quality, authoritativeness, and creditability of information retrieved.

·         Access and use information ethically and legally.

How to Satisfy the SKYLINE Information LITERACY Graduation Requirement

Students with catalog rights
* beginning Fall 2011 must satisfy an information literacy requirement prior to graduation. This is a basic competency requirement for the Associate Degree awarded by Skyline College.  This requirement does not apply to those seeking a certificate from Skyline College. Before attempting to complete Option B or C below, please check with a counselor or use DegreeWorks on WebSmart to be sure you are definitely required to meet this requirement

 

The information literacy requirement can be satisfied by meeting one of the following options:

a. Satisfactory completion of a Skyline College ENGL 100 course or ENGL 105 course taken Fall 2011 or thereafter; OR

b. Satisfactory completion of the Skyline College online “Information Literacy Tutorial”; OR

c. Satisfactory completion of an equivalent collegelevel information literacy or information competency course or requirement.

To complete Option B:
To satisfy the requirement with option B,
completion of the Skyline College online “Information Literacy Tutorial”, please contact: Eric Brenner, Instructional Librarian, at: brenner@smccd.edu. Please provide your my.smccd.edu email address. You will need a G number to be able access WebAccess to complete the “Information Literacy Tutorial”.

To complete Option C:
If you believe that you have completed an equivalent college
level information literacy or information competency course or requirement and would like to satisfy the requirement with option C, you must submit a completed Information Literacy Equivalency Petition to Dennis Wolbers, Instructional Librarian, at wolbers@smccd.edu

If you have any questions about the information literacy requirement, please contact Dennis Wolbers at
wolbers@smccd.edu, or 650-738-4184.

 

* Catalog Rights

Graduation requirements are listed in the Catalog. A student remaining in continuous attendance at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, or Skyline College may, for the purposes of graduation, elect to meet the requirements in effect at the college from which the student will graduate, either at the time the student began such attendance or any subsequent year of continuous enrollment. For the purpose of this policy, "continuous enrollment" means attendance through at least the fourth week of instruction in either the fall or spring semester in each calendar year. Absence to attend another accredited college or university shall not be considered an interruption in attendance if the absence does not exceed one year. Catalog rights cannot supersede any State or Federal regulation or requirement in effect at the time of graduation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information Literacy Instructional Links:

Web Page Evaluation Links  

Search & Quick Write Exercise

Research Surveys

 

Research Assignments

Developing a Research Topic & Search Strategy

How to Use the PLS Online Catalog to Find Books

How to Use the PowerSearch Article Databases (in Advanced Search Mode)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


last revised: 2-22-12 by Eric Brenner, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
These materials may be used for educational purposes.
All commercial rights are reserved.