Enabling Critical Thinking Through Information Literacy in Higher Education in Africa

An interesting report recently published:
Hepworth, M. and Duvigneau, S. (2012) Building Research Capacity: Enabling Critical Thinking Through Information Literacy in Higher Education in Africa. Brighton: British Library for Development Studies at the Institute of Development Studies.
"The research was undertaken by BLDS in May 2012 as an exploratory exercise with the potential for leading to a larger, change-driven programme. It comprised interviews with staff at the University of Zambia and Mzuzu University in Malawi, and a workshop with staff at the University of Botswana."
"A number of practical approaches to overcome specific current challenges in developing information capabilities were identified by participants, including (1) the greater use of e-learning and peer assessment (to counter low staff–student ratios); (2) allowing students more time to do projects (to counter resource limitations); (3) using ‘real world’ problems in information training (to foster student enthusiasm and develop research capabilities); and (4) rewarding the demonstration of good information capabilities (to provide incentives). The research also identified the creation of new partnerships as being important in building information capabilities – both to share lessons and resources, and to involve all relevant stakeholders."
http://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/bitstream/handle/123456789/2301/BuildingResearchCapacityR1.pdf?sequence=1
Photo by Sheila Webber: Footprints in the snow, February 2013