Abstract

This paper analyses the phenomenon of academic plagiarism among students enrolled in Secondary Education and High School. It is a subject poorly studied at pre-university level and very scantily discussed in the Spanish-speaking context. It investigates the frequency of committing plagiarism and the relationship between gender and procrastination and such practices. A questionnaire was administered to a representative sample (n=2,794). The results show that plagiarism is certainly present and widespread in the secondary classrooms. Furthermore, it shows that men have significantly higher levels of perpetration than women and than students who tend to leave the tasks until the last moment are more likely to plagiarize. The fruits of this research suggest the need to take into serious consideration the magnitude and severity of the problem identified; secondary schools should urgently plan and undertake measures in order to reduce and prevent the commission of this type of academic fraud. Secondly, results are useful to give clear guidance to teachers about the need for them to follow up and apply an effective control of the writing process of academic essays and tasks by students. Improving IT and library competences of the students has been identified as one of the main strategies needed to effectively address the problem.

Abstract

Nowadays, information is one of the main resources for an individual’s development and wellbeing, therefore distributing and using information must be a top priority for society. This entails establishing strategies so people can learn to use this resource. Furthermore, scientific progress and present-day educational paradigms stress trans-disciplinary learning. Information and communication sciences are complementary by nature –one focusing on the medium and the other on the process– so there must be greater clarity and conceptual consistency in a number of key shared areas. This document is an effort, from the perspective of library science and information science, to identify some possible meeting-points between these disciplines, regarding the study and development of the necessary competencies to handle information adequately.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review some recent progress in the preparation of professionals to design and implement information literacy services in documentary institutions, and particularly in libraries. These include the initiatives conducted by professional associations for advocacy or promotion and the training courses, seminars and workshops sponsored by associations and library systems’ lead agencies to acquire skills to develop these services, and their inclusion in the new college degree programs for Information and Documentation approved in 2008 or to be launched within the next two years.

Abstract

The identification of information professional profiles is necessary in order to develop studies for the current labor market and to improve professional development for students. A literature review was carried out on selected papers published within the last two decades. Findings indicate that faculty must address the definition and acquisition of skills to prepare students for a dynamic and constantly changing professional environment.

Abstract

This paper aims to explain how the libraries in Sciences, Medicine, and Health Sciences at the University of Alcalá (UAH), Spain, have implemented information literacy (IL) in courses from 2010-2011 to 2015-2016, usually as part of the curriculum, including them in most teaching guides. This article discusses the strategy followed, the information available to achieve teacher collaboration, the opportunities offered by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the background data, the way IL has been gradually incorporated in various studies, and finally, the obvious advantages in the learning process.

Abstract

Video games are useful learning tools in different fields. This work seeks to evaluate, through a self-developed video game, their usefulness as a learning tool for the information literacy of undergraduate students. The videogame “The last exam” was developed after the analysis of 1,639 user queries registered over 2 years at the Complutense University Library, and aims to answer queries common to other university libraries. To evaluate its impact, a single-group pilot experiment was carried out with 14 undergraduate students using a pre-test/post-test validated by experts. The results show significant improvements in the students’ information skills, as well as positive evaluations of the exercise. We conclude that the incorporation of video games as a complement to the content of library training programs can be beneficial, especially as an introduction or for reinforcement or evaluation.