Considering the Open University (OU) as a context in which people come from a wide range of educational, cultural and professional backgrounds and distance learning forms the domain educational approach, this presentation discusses approaches can be taken by the OU to prepare for, and deal with the educational needs of Net generation, meanwhile meet the needs of elder generations. It presents some practical assignments using Web 2.0 and demonstrate how they will engage students in developing their understanding of information literacy and performing as information literate individuals in the dynamic context of e-environments. The proposed approach is based on the author's PhD study of information literacy in online distance learning environments, which particularly focused on the GIS (Geographic Information Sciences/Systems) discipline. Hope you find it useful :)

1. Information Literacy for the Net Generation: Challenges and Approaches for the Open University Maryam Nazari Research Student in Information Literacy and Online Distance Learning January 2009 Presented to the IL team, Library and Learning Resources Centre of Open University Maryam Nazari – University of Sheffield University of Sheffield Department of Information Studies

4. Net Gen Information Behaviour Maryam Nazari – University of Sheffield Find Organise Create and Share Communication Update YouTube Wikis Blogs Social networking Tagging Folksonomies Facebook MySpace YouTube Blogs Wikis Delicious Slideshare Flickr Constant messaging Facebook RSS Feed Google personalization features

6. The OU through an IL lens Maryam Nazari – University of Sheffield Background Courses & Subjects Levels of education 25,000 outside of UK 20% under 20 Average age 32 A TYPICAL OU student is older than an undergrad elsewhere 150,000 Undergrad 30,000 Postgrad 10,000 with Special needs 13 subjects 600 courses Q, R, … X & Y Gens Diversity Ambitions and goals Abilities and competency-needs Information behaviour, needs No entry requirements 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0

7. Fixed Curricula Maryam Nazari – University of Sheffield Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

8. IL as an enabler for transferable and lifelong learning Maryam Nazari – University of Sheffield Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

12. Solutions for the OU based on the new view of IL in e-environments Maryam Nazari – University of Sheffield

19. Thank you. Maryam Nazari – University of Sheffield