Flexible Information Literacy Alternatives for Independent Learners Suzanne Hayes March 17, 2003 Copyright Suzanne Hayes This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non- commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.

The Typical Empire State College Student is:  Is over 35  Works full time  Has a family  Seeking a flexible program of study

Distributed Campus  Over 40 New York state locations  International units in Cyprus, Israel, Greece and Czech Republic  Distance Learning Network

Student Academic Studies  Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Guided Independent Study Distance Learning Courses

Learning Contracts  Learning occurs through: Mentored learning approach Independent study Small study groups Residencies  Students have a role in determining their: Degree plan Learning content Method of study Criteria for evaluation Duration of study

Distance Learning Courses  Over 6000 students enrolled  More than 600 online courses offered  More than 200 available as printed course guides.

The Challenge  Provide equitable access to Information Literacy resources  Support one-on-one mentoring and distance learning  Centralize resources, not the academic process  Offer flexibility to students and faculty

The Solution: Two Online Information Literacy Studies Distance Learning Course  Led by Librarian  Web-delivered  Offered 5 times a year  Registration required  1 credit course Library Online Study  Web-delivered through Library web site  No password or registration required  Self-paced, adaptable  24-hour availability

What is Information Literacy?  Recognize when information is needed  Identify appropriate sources  Locate relevant information  Evaluate its content  Use it effectively

Information Literacy Studies Based upon the Information Literacy web-based course developed by Ulster County Community College Funded by SunyConnect grant during 1999 Template for SUNY libraries Modified to emphasize “Research Process”

 Offered though the SUNY Learning Network  Librarian led, 8-week course  1 credit  Registration required  Offered 5 times a year  Features group discussions  Structured learning approach Distance Learning Option

Online Study Course Map

Online Study Available at Library Web Site

Library Online Study Has Multiple Uses  Quick Guide: Student selects one or more modules for review  Tutorial: Student works independently through all 8 modules  Learning Activity: Student and Mentor integrate all or part of study into a learning contract for academic credit

Library Study and Distance Learning Course Offer Flexible Content  Student selects research topic  Study focuses on broad “categories” of resources adaptable to research topic Books Reference materials Periodical literature Internet sources

Both Use Six-Step Approach to Research Checklist 1.Select topic, develop and refine research question 2.Locate background information 3.Find books in libraries 4.Search the periodical literature 5.Search the Internet 6.Evaluate, document and organize sources

Typical Module Contains  Readings  Hands-on exercises  Self-tests (Library Online Study) OR  Discussion (Distance Learning Option)  “Research Portfolio” used to structure module assignments

“Research Portfolio ”  Students apply readings and exercises to their research topic  Each assignment maps to the “Research Checklist”  Step-by-Step Approach  Documents student’s progress  Organizes research results  May deter plagiarism

Research Portfolio: Framework for Final Project  Annotated bibliography  Research paper  Other research assignment agreed upon between student and mentor

“Sample” Research Portfolio  Helps faculty evaluate student research as part of a learning contract  Contains rationale for each learning activity  Has rubric for evaluation  Sample portfolio available in electronic format

Current Information Literacy Studies Distance Learning Course Readings Assignments Discussion Research Portfolio Annotated Bibliography Library Online Study Readings Assignments Self-Tests Research Portfolio Annotated Bibliography

New 2-Credit Information Literacy Course Distance Learning Course Supplemental Readings Discussion Group Activities Final Research Paper Library Online Study Readings Assignments Exercises Research Portfolio Annotated Bibliography

Benefits of Integrated Approach  Retains flexibility  Readings and exercises updated only once  Research Portfolio learning experience is “reinforced” in 2-credit DL course  Distance Learning students use same process for final research paper

Empire State College’s Two Information Literacy Options Offer:  Accessible, centralized resources  Good fit with distance learning and guided independent study  Students can find topical tutorials or develop full research paper  Faculty free to assign different types of “guided” research projects

For More Information:  Access “Online Study in Information Literacy” at Empire State College Library  To obtain sample “Research Portfolio,” or