Information competencies for learning Jesus Lau / Director, USBI-VER Library, y Coordinator Biblioteca Virtual UV Universidad Veracruzana Boca del Río, Veracruz, México / Facebook jesuslau / Twitter jesuslau Flickr jesuslau New Zealand, 2010 Online undergraduate course, 6 credits Design and implementation

Topics Background Search for experiencies Development of the course Components Challenges for improvement

Universidad Veracruzana Information Literacy needs of students and faculty Challenge of having a limited number of information professionals/librarians Immediate requirements of Virtual Veracruzana University distance programs Creation of Clavijero Consortium, 29 higher education institutions (It was dissolved this year).

Course Credits Undergraduate course / Bachelor degree Distance course, web-based Six credits, 90 hours of work for the learner Similar number of credits as the rest of the subjects

Search for experiencies Nothing alike could be found in Hispanic world Except two classroom courses but with a different, more generic approach Some relevant experiences in the United States and England Many workshops, optional courses Scarce literature with reports on the subject Used Mexican Information Literacy Standards

COMPETENCIES 1. Understand information. Understanding the structure of knowledge and information 2. Identify need. Determine the nature of the information need 3. Locate. Propose effective strategies to search and find information 4. Retrieve. Retrieve efficiently 5. Evaluate. Analyze and evaluate information 6. Use. Integrate, summarize and use the information 7. Communicate. Adequatly communicate the results of the work 8. Ethics. Respecting the intelectual property and copyright Information competencies - MX

EDUCATION Doctorate Master Bachelor High School Junior High School Elementary School Kindergarten LEVELS Advanced Medium Basic Information competencies- MX High 1. Understand information. Understanding the structure of knowledge and information 2. Identify need. Determine the nature of the information need 3. Locate. Propose effective strategies to search and find information 4. Retrieve. Retrieve efficiently 5. Evaluate. Analyze and evaluate information 6. Use. Integrate, summarize and use the information 7. Communicate. Adequatly communicate the results of the work 8. Ethics. Respecting the intelectual property and copyright COMPETENCIES

Course Modules Information Competencies for learning - MODULES 5. Information analysis and evaluation 1. Knowledge and information 2. Nature of the information needs 3. Information search 4. Information retrieval 6. Integration and use of information 7. Presentation of results 8. Intelectual property and copyright

Module 1. Knowledge and information 1.1. Generation, treatment, organization and dissemination of information 1.3. Types and categories of information sources 1.5. Scientific character of knowledge 1.2. Knowledge and Information 1.4. Importance of consultation with various sources of information

Module 2. Nature of the information needs 2.2. Scope and limitations of the topic to research 2.1. Organization and analysis of the topic to investigate 2.4. Establishment of work schedule 2.3. Definition of information needs

3.4. Logic and structure of information sources Module 3. Information search 3.1. Resources, media and services of a university library 3.2. Information sources 3.3. Selection of information sources

Module 4. Information retrieval 4.1. Primary, secondary and tertiary sources 4.6. Information retrieval formats 4.2. Means of physical and virtual storage 4.3. Transmission of information 4.4. Main ideas of a text 4.5. Procedures to obtain information from organizations or people

Module 5. Information analysis and evaluation 5.1. Comparison of results with information needs 5.4. Most important elements of information resources 5.2. Academic character of publications 5.3. Value of information resources 5.5. Analysis and restatement of initial information problem

Module 6. Integration and use of information 6.1. Selection of relevant information 6.4. Summary of obtained information 6.2. Translation of knowledge 6.3. Techniques to organize information

Module 7. Presentation of results 7.1. Audience 7.4. Techniques for presentation of information 7.2. Organization of ideas 7.3. Types of documents for the presentation

Module 8. Intelectual property and copyright 8.1. Intelectual property 8.4. Elements that integrate a bibliography 8.2. Federal law on copyright 8.3. Guidelines for citing documents

Course – Initial elements Course introduction Overall objectives Evaluation scheme Modules Specific objectives of the modules Learning objectives Bibliography

Modules - Elements Subjects covered in module Learning activities Learning exercises deadlines Learning goals Exercises and homework to deliver Bibliography – basic and optional readings Complementary materials Interaction and discussions

Course mounting

Online Platform Mounted in Eminus, an in-house Universidad Veracruzana software Moodle – New Zealand Readings: digital publications and web-based resources Communication via , chat and discussion forums

Course - Sessions Facilitated 19 times (Quarterly) at Clavijero, since 2006 Four times at Universidad Veracruzana with more than one group (Semester) It is offered every term in both institutions It originally was thought in 29 higher education institutions that were part of a state consortia

Challenges for improvement Reduce amount of exercises, it was too much for some students Make course instructions clearer Questionnaires for reading with more of a constructivist approach Find or create ad hoc readings for the course Include more graphics and images

Conclusions It has been welcomed by different faculties Plans make the course more graphic and interactive It contributes to the development of Satisfies and information competencies in new students Will contribute to form independent learners Challenge to motivate professors and lecturers to enhance students´information skills