Development, Interest, Self-direction and the Teaching of Information Literacy

Abstract

Three theories from the disciplines college student development and educational psychology of particular relevance to teaching of information literacy are summarized: Perry’s (1999) scheme of intellectual and moral development, Renninger’s (2009) phases of interest development, and Grow’s (1991) stages of self-directed learning. Each theory is described, then parallels among them are drawn, and finally the implications of these theories for the teaching of information literacy are discussed.

Keywords

• cognitive development
• individual interest
• self-direction