Online access to huge amount of sources – information availability problem is solved… But do we have skilled enough users?

Effective use of information and information technology is recognized as essential to the development of lifelong learning skills. End users (not only) in academic environment have now an online access to huge amount of information resources, both primary and secondary ones. To use these sources effectively requires appropriate technology and services but above all it requires the users who really need them and who are skilled enough and information literate. Such users are able to recognize when information is needed, how to find it or locate it, and also evaluate it critically. Increasing number of information directly accessible by end-users brings new tasks to librarians´ community. Current Internet technologies form a rich infrastructure for the realization of a comprehensive learning environment, where the users can have access to interactive-self paced instructions. It is obvious such an online learning environment can be easily used for developing training materials in information knowledge and skills. The paper presents the possibilities of modern information technologies (web technologies, Macromedia Flash etc.) in preparing multimedia courses in information literacy skills delivered via World Wide Web. The benefit of Web in training is shown on course “How to use the information” prepared by VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava Library staff.

Author information:

Daniela Tkacikova is the head of the VSB-Technical University of Ostrava Library, her main professional interests are: information retrieval, electronic information sources, webdesign and end-users training.