Does dyslexia present barriers to information literacy in an online environment? A pilot study

The skills and attributes required to become information literate have not been analysed from the perspective of information users with cognitive disabilities, such as dyslexia, and this research seeks to begin to address this gap in the literature.

The initial objective of the research was to collect data showing the online search strategies of dyslexics and non-dyslexics who are in Higher Education, highlighting any areas of difference and difficulty.

The results of a pilot study comparing the online search behaviour of seven dyslexic participants with that of seven who were non-dyslexic, are reported. Participants were adult undergraduates, taken from all three levels of study. They were interviewed and their online information searching behaviour was observed through the collection of screen recording diaries over the completion period of one assignment. Within the dyslexic group, difficulties were reported and observed in the areas of keyword creation, use of appropriate tools to refine and expand searches and the evaluation of sources. The dyslexics’ group low self efficacy in many of the skills associated with information literacy was discovered to be notable barrier.

Lynne Cole, Norland University of Early Childhood