The development of the 'information society' or 'information age' creates a global context for instruction in information skills. Ensuring that students have skill in handling, understanding, and producing information is increasingly considered a vital educational goal. This paper reviews the literature on information literacy, focusing on the common elements and aspects of information skill sequences and components. The nature of information skill as presented in New Zealand curriculum documents is reviewed and evaluated against international trends. Possible implications for assessment and education are examined.
Paper presented at the New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) conference, Auckland, 4-7 December 1997.