The objective of the paper is to defi ne information competence, its levels and components, to fi nd out the reasons
of low level of information competence among fi rst-year students. Scientifi c literature analysis, CLRIT (Commission
on Learning Resources and Instructional Technology) materials, Information Literacy Competency
Standards for Higher Education (ACRL, 2000) and other data are used to analyze the role of foreign languages
and IT skills for the development of information competence of a student. Questionnaires and interviews with
the students give the necessary data for the analysis of students’ information competence. The main conclusions
are that self-management and time management of students pay an important role in their use of the Internet
and the library, showing preference for the Internet resources for the reason of their easier and quicker accessibility
in comparison with the use of library resources. Foreign languages are often needed to gain the
necessary information, especially for some specialties, for which information can be found only in English.
Information competence is developed during the whole life, and teachers of any subject should pay serious
attention to developing information search, selection, evaluation, analysis and presentation skills. |