Information is contextual and fluid between writer, searcher and sources. (Morgan, 2015).
Information literacy is the understanding and ability to undertake reflective and critical discovery of information. The awareness of how information is produced and valued influences the effective and ethical use of information and enables learning.
Introduced by Meyer and Land, threshold concepts are core ideas and processes that are gateways for students' understanding to transform their thinking and perspective.
Students see the "why" of a discipline and behind the discipline's preconceptions. They take on a new world view which is essential for learning and teaching.
Townsend & Brunetti, 2011
Photo: 'Threshold concepts' by Jeffrey M. Keefer via Slideshare CC BY-ND 2.0
Image Transformation via appliedalliance
For example
Students understand why they need a particular information source.
Photo path-cut-through-log-porongurup by Leon Brooks via public domain
For example
Once students understand the difference between a search engine and a database they will use this knowledge in their future research.
Image Zome house using solar heating built near Corrales, New Mexico via Wikimedia commons
For example
Students understand not only what information they need but also that they need information from a particular source type.
Students know that they need to search for biographical information about Patrick White in a book about Australian writers rather than in a newspaper. They consider the distinction and purpose of different formats.
Phote Lolham Crossing by Ian Simpson via geograph.org.uk
For example
Students have a difficulty understanding of the difference between a journal title and a journal article title.
Photo The Thumb by Lars Jensen via randomSpace
For example
Students learn that information and terminology is particular to a specific field within the discipline.
