Is knowledge society information literate? : a case from Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Creation and deployment of knowledge is vital for the present undergraduates as they are living in an information age. Adequate knowledge about Information literacy skills and the perceptions of the undergraduates are important for developing an Information Literacy programme in order to create them as lifelong learners. The purpose of this study is to identify the level of IL competencies of the undergraduate students of FAS, assuming that they are coming from a knowledge society. Questionnaire was used as research instrument and administered to 44 students of FAS and 41 returned the filled questionnaires at a response rate of 93%. The finding of this study indicates that though they are coming from knowledge society they are lack of Information Literacy Competency skills. On the other hand students perceived themselves as good in Library skills and research skills. This study recommends that it is important to teach information Literacy as credit bearing course unit to FAS students and the course should be designed according to the level of the students.