Information Literacy Dr. Nancy J. Becker LIS 205 Spring 2004

Moving Information Literacy From persistent questions: Current buzzword? Current buzzword? Field of contention? Field of contention? Passing fad? Passing fad? To strategic responses: Educational imperative Educational imperative Shared responsibility Shared responsibility New liberal art New liberal art

What is Liberal Arts Education? About attaining knowledge, wisdom, understanding About attaining knowledge, wisdom, understanding Promotes inquiry, interaction, collaboration Promotes inquiry, interaction, collaboration Is transformative, reflective, integrative Is transformative, reflective, integrative

How does Information Literacy Fit In? What do citizens need to know to be “shapers of the information society rather than its pawns?” What do citizens need to know to be “shapers of the information society rather than its pawns?” What will sustain a person over time? What will sustain a person over time? Connecting ideas, thinking critically, acting responsibly, communicating effectively are essential to lifelong learning and active engagement in today’s world Connecting ideas, thinking critically, acting responsibly, communicating effectively are essential to lifelong learning and active engagement in today’s world Information Literacy is a new liberal art Information Literacy is a new liberal art

How do we deal with this new liberal art? What criteria should we use? Where does it fit in the curriculum? What pedagogies work best?

What Literacies? Tools Tools Resources Resources Social-structural Social-structural Research Research Publishing Publishing Emerging technologies Emerging technologies Critical Critical

ACRL Standards The information literate student: 1. Determines the nature and extent of the information needed 2. Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently 3. Evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system 4. Individually, or as a member of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose 5. Understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally

Curricular Models Separate or compartmentalized Separate or compartmentalized –Emphasis on the “formula” of information literacy –“How to” is the mantra Integrated or distributed Integrated or distributed –Situates information literacy within the context of the disciplines –Goal is “Bring students into the world of scholarship”

Traditional Methods 50 minute library session 50 minute library session Scavenger hunts Scavenger hunts In-class session In-class session Workbooks Workbooks Tours Tours Pathfinders Pathfinders “How to” handouts “How to” handouts Online tutorials Online tutorials

New Ideas Curriculum integration Curriculum integration Established hallmarks within general education Established hallmarks within general education Resource centers Resource centers Selected courses Selected courses Across the academic experience Across the academic experience Culture of information literacy Culture of information literacy

Curricula: Collide or Collaborate? Curricular changes are often driven by collisions with societal forces Curricular changes are often driven by collisions with societal forces Curricular change depends on conscious choices made by faculty Curricular change depends on conscious choices made by faculty Changes imposed by a few rarely stick Changes imposed by a few rarely stick Politics matters! Politics matters!

The Place of the Library Traditional: The library is the heart of the university Traditional: The library is the heart of the university –Information literacy is a library responsibility Reframed: The library reaches out to the heart of the faculty Reframed: The library reaches out to the heart of the faculty –Information literacy is an educational responsibility Distinction is between ownership and leadership Distinction is between ownership and leadership –Focus on “expeditionary efforts” led by librarians –Partner with allies on the faculty and develop exemplary evidence to support information literacy

Pedagogy Supports diverse teaching and learning styles Supports diverse teaching and learning styles Uses appropriate technology resources Uses appropriate technology resources Includes active and collaborative activities Includes active and collaborative activities Encompasses critical thinking and reflection Encompasses critical thinking and reflection Supports student-centered learning Supports student-centered learning Builds on existing knowledge Builds on existing knowledge

What about the ACRL Standards? Does broadening our conceptions expand our understanding of the standards?

The ACRL Standards redux Learning goals Learning goals –Define desired outcomes Curricular integration Curricular integration –Outline where skills are developed and practiced Pedagogy Pedagogy –Select appropriate teaching strategies Learning outcomes Learning outcomes –Assess student learning

Standard One..defines and articulates the need for information...defines and articulates the need for information.

Standard Two …accesses needed information effectively and efficiently. …accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.

Standard Three …evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system. …evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.

Standard Four …individually, or in a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose. …individually, or in a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

Standard Five..understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally...understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally.