To facilitate the understanding of key terminology, various definitions have been included.

Literacy

"The quality or state of being literate; knowledge of letters; condition in respect to education, especially the ability to read and write" (Oxford University Press, 2007).

Information Literacy

"The ability to access, evaluate, organise and use information in order to learn, problem-solve, make decisions -in formal and informal learning contexts, at work, at home and in educational settings." It is a "key characteristic of the lifelong learner-strongly connected with critical and reflective thinking" (Bruce, 2003).

"The critical location, evaluation and use of information" (Bruce, 2003).

Digital Literacy

"The ability to use digital technology, communication tools or networks to locate, evaluate, use and create information" (Cunliffe, 2007).

Digital Information Literacy

The "application of information literacy in the digital environment" (Bruce, 2003).

Hypertext

Text which does not form a single sequence and which may be read in various orders; text and graphics (usually in machine-readable form) which are interconnected in such a way that a reader of the material (as displayed at a computer terminal, etc.) can discontinue reading one document at certain points in order to consult other related matter (Oxford University Press, 2007).

Mode

"A regularised organised set of resources for meaning-making, including, image, gaze, gesture, movement, music, speech and sound-effect."

"The effect of the work of culture in shaping material into resources for representation" (Jewitt & Kress, 2003).

Multimodality

The use or availability of several different modes, methods, systems, etc. (Oxford University Press, 2007).

Each modality uses one or more of the five sensory perceptions and is helpful in the learning of the different literacies.

"A multi-range of modes involved in representation and communication" (Jewitt & Kress, 2003).