Character building in childrens’ online information behaviours: applying a virtue epistemology perspective to information literacy.

Citation

Mcmenemy D & Buchanan S (2019) Character building in childrens’ online information behaviours: applying a virtue epistemology perspective to information literacy.. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Špiranec S, Ünal Y, Boustany J, Huotari M, Grassian E, Mizrachi D & Roy L (eds.) Information Literacy in Everyday Life. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 989. ECIL 2018: 6th European Conference on Information Literacy, Oulu, Finland, 24.09.2018-27.09.2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Verlag, pp. 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13472-3_7

Abstract
This paper advances our understanding of the theoretical and practical challenges of developing intellectual character in children’s online information behaviours. We argue that widely reported issues such as misinformation and disinformation extend IL education beyond considerations of ability to considerations of disposition, and highlight this as an understudied topic within IL education. We introduce the classical concept of intellectual character and discuss virtues traits in the IL context. Applying Baehr’s nine intellectual virtues to two commonly cited IL models, we evidence limited presence of virtues in IL models, and propose an important agenda for future research.

Keywords
Digital citizenship; Virtue ethics; Information literacy; Information behaviour; Virtue epistemology; Children

• ECIL 2018 DMSB