Abstract

Information literacy is identified as an important skill in the contemporary higher education environment. It is the necessary skill required to access, locate, evaluate, present and process information for learning. In this context, this study explores innovative approaches to enhancing information literacy (IL) among aesthetic studies undergraduates at Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies in Sri Lanka. The study used a mixed method design integrating social constructivist theory, guided inquiry design, and the Big6 model. Quantitative data was collected through surveys, pre-tests, and post-tests, while qualitative data was gathered from interviews and focus groups discussions. Through the stratified random sampling method all 312 final year students of the Institute were selected as sample and 300 (96.15%) were responded. According to the findings guided inquiry-based pedagogical practices significantly improved IL skills, particularly in searching and gathering online information, evaluating online information, and source-based writing. Curriculum integration and faculty support were also crucial. The study suggested several recommendations to improve the information literacy skill among the aesthetic studies undergraduates and higher education sector.