Exploring determinants influencing information literacy with activity theory

What is it about?

This study aimed to provide evidence to support the use of a wiki called PBworks as a learning tool to foster students’ information literacy (IL) skills based on activity theory. Using PBworks and the project-based learning (PjBL) approach, this study examined the determinants affecting the IL skills of Hong Kong junior secondary school students and proposed a Wiki-based Information Literary Activity (WILA) model. The participants were 421 students (i.e. Form 1 to Form 3) in Hong Kong taking a Liberal Studies course in the 2016-2017 academic year. This study mainly used a mixed methods design, proposing 11 hypotheses. Quantitative data from 374 questionnaires were analysed to test these research hypotheses, while a qualitative method (interviews) was used to explain the quantitative results. A structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was used to analyse the data and data triangulation was used to answer the same research questions. This study eventually confirmed the validity of the WILA model with all hypotheses supported. The results showed that the model components PBworks Affordances (PB) and Rules and Divisions (RD) had significant direct effects on Individual Activities (IA) and Community Activities (CA) and significant indirect effects on Information Literacy (IL). The results also revealed that CA had a significant effect on IA and had an even greater effect on IL. As students’ IL skills have become increasingly important, this study can shed light on related topics for future studies, and thus contribute to social stability and harmonious development.

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