Information literacy skills of teacher education students in Kerala: An assessment using ACRL standards George K. Cherian1,3,*, Chandrasekara M.2,** 1Librarian, Union Christian College, Aluva, Kerala 33Research Scholar, Department of Studies in Library and Information Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka, India 2Professor, Department of Studies in Library and Information Science, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka, India *Corresponding author Email id: jebygeo@gmail.com
**chandra.uom@gmail.com
Online published on 11 July, 2022. Abstract Imparting Information Literacy Instruction (ILI) to all the stakeholders of higher education is an important mission in western countries. To guide the practitioners in designing Information literacy programmes and assessments, the professional associations and scholars in such countries developed Models, Standards and Frameworks. Many developing countries like India have no policies regarding ILI. Teachers are considered to be the trainers of future citizens. If teachers are trained to be information literates, that will ensure nurturing of information literate citizens of the country. Assessment of Information Literacy Competencies (ILCs) of student–teachers in Kerala is undertaken here to understand the present status in the State. A survey was conducted among student–teachers undergoing B.Ed. training in all categories of institutions such as Aided colleges, Government colleges and Un-aided colleges. An assessment instrument developed from the Performance Indicators and Outcomes of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Standards for Teacher Education, and then adapted in accordance with formally tested tools designed by previous researchers was used for this study. The study found that student–teachers have ‘high’ level of competency in Standards 1 and 3, ‘average’ level of competency in Standards 2, 4 and 5, and ‘low’ level of competency in Standard 6. The study recommends that necessary actions be taken by regulatory bodies like National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) to integrate IL into the B.Ed. curriculum and provide opportunities for competent professional librarians to teach IL. Top Keywords ACRL standards, Assessment, Information literacy assessment, Information literacy, Pupilteachers, Student–teachers, Teacher education students. Top |