Transformative information literacy: Teaching information literacy for perspective transformation

There has been fairly limited consideration of transformative learning theory in relation to information literacy teaching practices in academic libraries. This paper presents an original theoretical model for teaching information literacy which is inspired by transformative learning theory and the notion of “perspective transformation.” In this model, the goal of information literacy instruction is to facilitate a change in the learner's frame of reference in relation to information and how they engage with information. To do so, the model outlines three domains where academic librarians can focus their attention: the learner's mental model of the information environment, their information identity, and their information practices. The hope is that the model may provide academic librarians with an opportunity to reflect on, and potentially reconsider, how they frame their goals for and approach to teaching information literacy.