According to Nazari's contextual methodological model emerged from her PhD study, people's conceptions and experiences of a subject/discipline in some real-life contexts, e.g. when learning or teaching the subject, plays a key role in uncovering the competencies learners need to effectively learn the subject and transfer their knowledge to their workplace. In this presentation, Nazari presents four conceptions of GIS (Geographic Information Science/Systems) as conceived or experienced by a group of GIS educators and students in a joint ODL GIS programme, delivering in the UK and US. Drawing on the conceptions, she highlights their implications for information literacy in the context of the programme, using and reflecting on the SCONUL model. Hope you find it useful :)