January 2011 Volume 7 Issue 1
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Title
Incorporating Information Literacy in Business Information
Edition and Translation Class

Author
Zhang Ping
School of Foreign Languages, Nanjing University of
Aeronautics and Astronautics, China

Abstract
This paper discusses the importance and procedure to incorporate teaching information literacy in “Business Information Edition and Translation (BIET)”, a course designed for University English majors. This paper adopts the traditional definition of information literacy, contending that an information literate student should be able to: 1) recognize when to need information; 2) know where and how to find the needed information; 3) use a variety of tools to find, modify and assimilate the information; and 4) critically evaluate and synthesize the information. Information literacy is a prerequisite and an important objective of BIET. Different skills are needed at two phases of the class, namely, edition and translation, hence different ways and procedures should be adopted to train the needed skills. This paper discusses in detail the procedures and measures that I adopted to teach students how to search and use online references and other resources to fulfill information edition and translation tasks. Finally, the paper concludes that skillful handling and application of online resources can dramatically improve the efficiency and quality of information edition and translation. Students also will realize that online information and online translation tools cannot be overly trusted. The use of information involves many social and ethical issues. Information literacy, which represents a change of thinking in learning and teaching, should be an important part of the curriculum because it is of vital importance for both survival in the information age and lifelong learning, and it has become the standard-bearer for academic achievement, workforce productivity, competitive advantage, and national security.

Key words: information literacy; edition; translation; online resources; lifelong learning;