Shut Down the University! - The ultimatum for quality undergraduates

Abstract

 This empirical study examines the fundamental requirements to achieve an effective information literacy (IL) programme in a developing country such as Nigeria,  where university lecturers embarked on an industrial action for six months (in 2013) to press home their demands, among others, of preparing undergraduates to be fit for the twentieth century workplace. This study is concerned with investigating if the situation in colleges is also in dire states, specifically focussing on the issue of information literacy practices of teaching staff at the Colleges of Education. An information literacy at the workplace model was formulated through a systematic critical review of the literature. The model was then verified through grounded data from participants who are lecturers at the College of Education. The study used an inductive approach using rich data from interviews, focus group discussions and observations between July, 2013 and January, 2014. Data analysis of the interview transcripts was done manually and results were mapped to the proposed model. Results show that: (1) academics hold divergent perceptions of IL based on their field of study and (2) the information infrastructure on campus does not encouraged IL practices. Some of the recommendations of the study include: (1) improved capital development of lecturers in colleges of education and (2) high investment in education to improve the information infrastructure that would contribute to the effective development of information literacy (IL) skills programmes for the undergraduates. Apart from the contribution towards the theoretical model, this study has also created a platform to further scientific growth in IL practice and research.