"Have I learnt it?" Evaluating skills for resource-based study using electronic resources

Electronic information resources are increasingly in use for courses at all levels of Higher Education. They may be employed as reference material whe n researching particular topics for assignments, as part of a conventionall y structured course, or alternatively their use may be a central part of re source based course philosophy. Whilst the use of these resources may offer many advantages in terms of developing more independent learners, there ar e also information handling skills which students must acquire. This paper discusses the relevance of these skills and the factors influencing their a cquisition for students on two networked resource based courses at the UK O pen University.