Lesley on Information Literacy

One of the results of generations of inequalities in the educational system in South Africa is that students are finding themselves getting through to tertiary studies without a clue of how to study.  Lesley is working at bridging the gap.

Cornerstone Institute recruited her to re-design and teach their Information Literacy course.  It has NOT been easy going. "People seem to find everything difficult," she finds.  "THey have not yet grasped the concept of independent thinking, and expect that tertiary education will only require more rote learning." 

She finds it discouraging that prospective students seem to have almost no computer skills; nor even basic academic attitudes. "They seem horrified at the thought of eight hours of work in a day,"she says. "It seems an impossible concept to attend an intensive course that requires four hours' work in class and then four hours of homework.  THere seems to be a credibility gap -  about whether attending all the lectures is important, and about whether handing assignments in on time (or at all) is really required. And although I try and teach them, most people don't seem to grasp the importance of reading and following the instructions for an assignmnet.  People need help in learning to write assignments... But the worst thing is that although this course addresses all these skills, and tries to bridge the skills gap, most of those attending fail the course.  I find it very discouraging."

There is some light though. Lesley finds that when she teaches about learning styles people get quite excited.  And some students believe that what she has to say is important.  Sadly, many will have to go on and fail other courses before they realise that this material is essential, which leaves Lesley a little depressed and distressed. The skills gap is so large that only about a third of her students learn enough to cope with academic life.  THe rest will have to fail and re-do the course. "But one person is learning a lot," says Lesley. "Me. I am learning a lot about what people need to know."