Information Literacy Faculty Workshop
January 28, 2008

What is Information Literacy?

Why is Information Literacy important?

What Resources are available to promote Information Literacy?

How can I create Information Literacy assignments for my classes?

Additional Resources

 

What is Information Literacy? Top

Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." ... Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. (American Library Association. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report.(Chicago: American Library Association, 1989.)

Information Literacy is "the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information to become independent lifelong learners" - Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Criteria for Accreditation, Section 5.1.2 [Library and Other Information Resources] Services . 10th ed. Dec. 1996. (URL:http://www.sacs.org/pub/coc/cri70.htm#SECTION IV)

Information Literacy may include other types of Literacy

Activity: Write down your definition of Information Literacy. Share it with a colleague and then discuss it with the group.

Information Literacy for Lifelong Learning

 

Why is Information Literacy important ? Top

• Middle States Accreditation Requirement
• Career Requirement - Scans 2000
• Lifelong Learning Requirement
• Student as active participant

 Definition from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) - An information literate individual is able to:

• Determine the extent of information needed
• Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
• Evaluate information and its' sources critically
• Incorporate selected information into one's knowledge base
• Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
• Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information. Access and use information ethically and legally.

 

 

What resources are available to promote Information Literacy? Top

Many of the Information Resources are available from the CCBC Library Home pages http://www.ccbcmd.edu/libraries/index.html

Library Resources include: 

Librarians and Library staff Instruction: Individual Consultation, Classes,Workshops Online Catalog Periodical Databases

Internet Resources Other Online Library Resources: Online Reserves, Online Reference, Class Assignment web pages, Individual Class Articles Online, What's New Page

 *More discussion on the databases and the below activity will be done at our next meeting.

*Activity: Using the topic- "Titanic" Find:

1 book, 1 journal article, 1 magazine article, and 1 web site

Remember to Evaluate and choose the best sources.
What process did you use for your search?
What databases, library research tools, or web search tools did you use?
What criteria did you use to evaluate to choose your book, magazine, journal, and web site?

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluating Web Pages from University of California Berkeley

They're not all Magazines: Understanding the Difference - Magazine vs Journals from CCBC

Difference between Magazine and Journals from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Library

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Where are your students getting their information? Everything on the Internet Information from Wikipedia

How can I create Information Literacy assignments for my classes? Top

Creating Effective Assignments:

Assignment Design Strategies from Dalhousie University

Handout: Creating Effective Research Assignments

Handout:Assignment Checklist from "Creating a Library Assignment Workshop for University Faculty" by Pixey Anne Mosley. Journal of Academic Librarianship January 1998 pp.35-37

Types of Assignments & Alternative Assignments

Handout: Ideas for Library/Research Assignments

Types of Assignments from "Creating a Library Assignment Workshop for University Faculty" by Pixey Anne Mosley. Journal of Academic Librarianship January 1998 pp.35-37

Research Process & Research Logs:

Record your research activities with a Research Log. The process of researching is just as important as the product.

Handout: CCBC Library Research Log

"Research Process" from Cornell University

Activity: Using the sample assignments below, discuss with your colleague if this is a good assignment. Does it include an information literacy component?

*Information Literacy Assignments - Sample Assignments

Other Sample Assignments: 

Sample Library Assignments from the University of South Carolina

Sample Library Assignments from Begley Library

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Your Assignment for February 4, 2008 For one of your classes create a new or revise an old assignment. Be sure to include an information literacy component. This assignment is due on February 4, 2008. Bring two copies of this new assignment with you on February 4th. You will exchange this assignment with a colleague who will begin working on your assignment. Any questions call or email: Sharon Casey-Dundalk- 410-285-9644 scasey@ccbcmd.edu Raymond Wang-Essex- 410-780-6898 rwang@ccbcmd.edu Gretchen Wright- Catonsville- 410-455-6971 gwright@ccbcmd.edu Good Luck & Have Fun! Top

 

 

 

Additional Resources:  Top

Information Literacy Definitions & Standards: 

• *Association of College and Research Libraries Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education
• Information Literacy Competencies - Weber State University
• Nine Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning

More web sites on Information Literacy Programs & Faculty Information:

• Information Literacy in a Nutshell: Basic Information for Academic Administrators and Faculty
• Information Literacy Faculty Workshop Materials
• Information Literacy brochure from Dalhousie University

 Creating Effective Information Literacy Assignments: 

• Creating Effective Library Assignments from the University of Maryland
• Effective Assignments Using Library and Internet Resources from University of California Berkeley
• Promoting Information Literacy through Class Assignments from Meriam University
• Creating Effective Research Assignments from Pace University Library
• Keys to Designing Effective Assignments from North Harris College Library
• Common Pitfalls and Tips for Effective Research Assignments from San Diego State University
• Tutorial for Developing and Evaluating Assignments from the University of Maryland. Includes: 
• Section 1: What is the Writing and Information Literacy Assessment Project?
• Section 2: Background on Information Literacy, Writing, and Critical Thinking *Designing Assignments that Contain Writing "
• Section 3: Promoting Effective Research and Writing in your Discipline
• Section 4: Designing Assignments that Contain Writing and Research
• Best Practices for Creating Effective Library Assignments from CSULB Library with pitfall to avoid and includes learning outcomes - Links to Writing Learning Outcomes

Types of Assignments & Alternative Assignments:  Top

• Handout Alternative Assignments & Resource Based Learning
• Alternative Research Assisgnments from San Diego State University
• Alternative Assignments requiring library research but not a term paper

 Chart of ideas for assessing your assignment

Selected List of Colleges Having Information Literacy Programs

• National Forum on Information Literacy: Related Literacy Web Site
• Selected Case Studies Using the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education
• UMass Information Literacy Project is a five-campus library effort to improve your research and writing skills. This site will help you: choose a topic, refine a topic, conduct a search strategy, evaluate and cite sources.
• Best Practices from the University of South Australia

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