Enhancing Information Literacy in an Interdisciplinary Collaboration

ABSTRACT

The study examined the impact of an interdisciplinary collaborative on the information literacy of its participants by using legitimate peripheral participation (Lave & Wenger, 1991) as a conceptual framework. The objectives of this exploratory study were to document participants' qualitative gains in information technology knowledge and uses, and to analyze expert involvement in supporting learning by novices. Data were gathered by using a participation observation approach, interviews, and survey. Participants cited more frequently the non-technical aspects of information literacy as being more beneficial than gains in technical know-how. Varying degrees of expert involvement ranging from enabling to instructing were identified. The implications in terms of convening and managing communities of practice and the development of legitimate peripheral participation theory are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Information literacy
• interdisciplinary collaboration
• group learning
• mentoring
• community technology groups