Empowering legal minds: enhancing virtual information literacy training for law students at a university in South Africa

Abstract

The study explores the development and implementation of a virtual Information Literacy (IL) programme for first-year law students at the University of Venda. Conducted via Microsoft Teams between April and June 2021, the programme aimed to enhance the information-seeking, evaluation, and application skills of 311 students enrolled in the Introduction to Theory of Law course (INT 1141). Using innovative teaching strategies and technology, the programme fostered an engaging learning environment aligned with the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) standards for legal research competencies. A quantitative approach evaluated the programme’s impact through a Google Forms survey shared with the students' INT 1141 WhatsApp group. Additionally, students completed an online test on Moodle, achieving an average pass rate of 79.4%. The findings highlight students' positive perceptions of the IL programme and underscore its effectiveness in meeting their specific information needs. This research offers valuable insights into integrating technology-enhanced education into legal curricula, emphasising the importance of cultivating information literacy skills essential for success in the legal profession. By addressing these needs virtually, the study contributes to advancing digital literacy in higher education.