Investigation of Digital Information Literacy Skills for Academic Competencies in Selected Ethiopian Higher Learning Institutions

Abstract

Digital information literacy skills allow individuals to recognize the need for, to access, and to evaluate electronic information. Information literate person can confidently use, manage, create, quote and share sources of digital information in an effective way. The way in which information is used, created and distributed demonstrates an understanding and acknowledgement of the cultural, ethical, economic, legal and social aspects of information. The main aim of this study is to investigate digital information literacy verses academic competencies in Ethiopian higher learning institutions. This study could provides a framework for developing an understanding of the digital information literacy skills of both academic staffs and students in relation to research skills, including information seeking and information use and also to ascertain the source of digital information for academic staffs and students use most. In this study the researcher used both qualitative and quantitative research design. Closed and open ended questionnaire, semi structured in-depth interviews and open-ended interviews and observation checklist were used for data collection. The study population was from three selected Ethiopian higher institutions namely Jimma University (JU), Hawasa University (HU) and Wolkite University (WU). The researcher used purposive sampling and random sampling techniques to select a sample size from academic staffs and students respectively. The finding of this study shows that digital information literacy skills was very poor, across the three institutions. The study suggested that digital information literacy course should be embedded in the curriculum to enhance academic competency through collaborative approach.