Education Commons^™

Meaningful Work When Work Won't Love You Back: Sociological Imagination And Reflective Teaching Practice (Reports From The Field), Andrea Baer

Libraries Scholarship

This essay explores the tension between pursuing meaningful work in instruction librarianship and the realities of working in a society in which many jobs provide little fulfillment or pleasure, or, as the journalist Sarah Jaffe puts it, “Work won’t love you back.” Drawing on a recent conference keynote by Anne Helen Petersen, C. Wright Mills’s conception of sociological imagination, and an ecological model of teacher agency, I propose that one way librarians can sustain their teaching practices and preserve their well-being is by actively investigating how social structures and relationships influence their teaching roles.

Teaching Inclusive Citation Through A Library Workshop, Andrea Baer

Libraries Scholarship

In response to calls for greater equity and inclusion in scholarly publishing and in academia in general, many academic instruction librarians are looking to ways to promote inclusive citation practices. Inclusive citation essentially involves citing sources that reflect a greater diversity of voices and perspectives, while being aware of how power and social structures have traditionally influenced what voices are amplified and which are often overlooked. Inclusive citation requires thinking creatively about how and where we search for information, since traditional scholarly practices and common structures and features of many search tools (e.g., citation metrics, relevance rankings) are part of …

Reimagining Information Literacy Instruction Through Faculty Development, Erin Mccoy

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

This paper explores a unique approach to information literacy instruction by designing a curriculum map that provides consistent opportunities for faculty to engage with ideas surrounding critical thinking, metacognition, scaffolding instruction, and implementing information literacy teaching tools within their classroom. This map outlines a comprehensive approach to faculty development that addresses the dissatisfaction in information literacy instruction among academic librarians, particularly with the one-shot model and the lack of assessment opportunities of students’ information literacy skills. Using action research, the author explores the reason for this dissatisfaction and how it be addressed. Through interviews with other campus departments like online …

Exploring Librarians’ Teaching Roles Through Metaphor, Andrea Baer

Libraries Scholarship

As librarians’ instructional roles continue to evolve, metaphor can be a powerful tool through which to reflect on and at times to reframe librarians’ evolving educational roles and pedagogical approaches, as they consider beliefs and assumptions about teaching and learning and about their unfolding work and identities. This article explores this potential by examining professional documents on librarians’ teaching, discussing empirical research on metaphor as a tool for teacher development, examining metaphors that librarians have sometimes used to describe their pedagogical work, and sharing the author’s experiences facilitating a librarian workshop on metaphor and librarians’ teaching roles.

Aligning The Curriculums For College Success: High School And College Library Collaborations, Carl R. Andrews, Dickens Saint Hilaire

Publications and Research

In today’s highly competitive global economy, City University of New York (CUNY) graduates need strong critical thinking skills. More New York City students than ever before are applying to college and enrolling into CUNY schools. This is especially the case with high schools throughout the Bronx, a good portion of these schools are feeder schools for Bronx Community College (BCC). Unfortunately, many of the students who matriculate into BCC come un-prepared for college level work, where information literacy skills are essential. A strong body of published scholarly literature discusses the importance of information literacy instruction at the high school level, …

A Storied Tale: Melding Digital Storytelling, Service-Learning, And Digital And Information Literacy Skills For Pre-Service Teachers, Heather K. Beirne

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Today’s teachers, a diverse body of individuals with a variety of technological backgrounds and skill sets, often find themselves working from a “digital immigrant” perspective. Even pre-service teachers, who may be classified as digital natives, report “strong positive beliefs in technology, yet moderate confidence and reserved attitude in using technology” (Lei, 2009); Lei reports that, though they are often viewed as “innovative users of available technology and eager adopters of new technology,” pre-service teachers are also not utilizing digital technology to its fullest advantage, self-report that they do not feel comfortable with or proficient at the use of higher level …

The Librarians’ Guide To The Information Literacy Galaxy: Leading Campus Conversations, Sarah Richardson, Heather K. Beirne, Ashley J. Cole, Trenia Napier

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Sarah Richardson (Business Library Team Leader), Heather Beirne (Reference and Instruction Librarian), Ashley Cole (Reference and Instruction Librarian) and Trenia Napier (Associate Director, Programs & Outreach - Noel Studio for Academic Creativity) @ Eastern Kentucky University Situating librarians as information literacy experts and leaders in pedagogical best practices, presenters led a professional learning community (PLC) to create purposeful campus-wide conversations centered around the ACRL Framework and its place in teaching and learning. PLC faculty participants from across campus partnered with liaison librarians to create new and innovative approaches to developing discipline-specific information …

Failing Better: Scaffolding Learning With The Metaliteracy Badging System, Kelsey L. O'Brien

University Libraries Faculty Scholarship

The Metaliteracy Badging System, collaboratively produced by educators from across the State University of New York (SUNY), has undergone several trials and transformations. Over the course of this iterative journey, this resource has served in often-unexpected ways as a flexible educational tool that facilitates meaningful curriculum design and collaborative teaching. This chapter provides an overview of the design and implementation of the system, along with our challenges and goals moving forward. Just as we teach our students to fail better, we too have drawn on our setbacks as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Badging Best Practices, Kelsey L. O'Brien

University Libraries Faculty Scholarship

Digital Badges are gaining traction in the education landscape, and librarians have been some of the leading pioneers at the forefront of this exciting new frontier. This chapter employs Wiggins and McTighe’s “backward design” model as a framework to guide the thoughtful design of digital badges, envisaging how librarians and other educators might leverage the unique qualities of badges at each stage of curricular design.

Spectators Or Patriots? Citizens In The Information Age, Amrita Dhawan

Publications and Research

In theory, a strong democracy rests on robust citizen participation. The practice in most democracies is quite different. This gap presents a challenge, which can be narrowed by augmenting civic education to bring it up to date with the current information environment and thus give citizens the opportunity to participate. Robert Dahl’s work on democracy provides a model that looks at this problem structurally. He writes about the ideals and the actual institutions necessary for a democracy and if we situate his model in the modern information environment we get a better idea of how to improve civic education. Successful …

Esl Student Perceptions Of Online Resources, Valeriana Colon

Teaching and Learning Publications

This study explores how ESL student perceptions guide their use of online resources, with the goal of helping teachers select meaningful resources. Data were collected using a combination of interview responses and computer-recorded online actions. An evaluation of three case studies of advanced adult English language learners were used to gain insights into student perceptions. The results indicated that the ESL students use Google and native language sites when researching online, at times alternating between English and their native language. However, they expressed a sense of shame when using native language sites, as one student stated that he felt he …

Preparing Today’S Learners: The Role Of Information Literacy In The Adoption Of Innovative Pedagogies, Clarence Maybee

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

This presentation was given at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, Australia on April 20, 2015 as part of the Salon Series.

The presentation described how Purdue University supports teachers developing new classroom experiences through an educational initiative called Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation (IMPACT), which draws together expertise from areas of specialization throughout the campus to support course transformation. Drawing from four years of IMPACT programming and related research, two beneficial aspects of Purdue’s approach to this work were discussed in the presentation:

• The creation of productive partnerships between teachers, instructional designers, instructional technologists and librarians, whose …

Breathing Life Into Information Literacy Skills: Results Of A Faculty-Librarian Collaboration, Divonna M. Stebick, Janelle L. Wertzberger, Margaret E. Flora, Joseph W. Miller

Education Faculty Publications

When an education professor and a reference librarian sought to improve the quality of undergraduate student research, their partnership led to a new focus on assessing the research process in addition to the product. In this study, we reflect on our collaborative experience introducing information literacy as the foundation for undergraduate teacher education research. We examine the outcomes of this collaboration, focusing on the assessment of the process. Using a mixed methods approach, we found that direct instruction supporting effective research strategies positively impacted student projects. Our data also suggest that undergraduate students benefit from not only sound research strategies, …

Information Literacy In The “Pathway To Success”, Sharon A. Weiner

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

This presentation explored how information literacy contributes to college student success. Examples of how other universities address information literacy illustrated practical and effective strategies. Finally, the speaker suggested ways that information literacy could support strategic initiatives at Indiana State.

Book Review: Online By Design: The Essentials Of Creating Information Literacy Courses., Cindy Gruwell

Library Faculty Publications

In-depth book review of Mery, Y. and Newby, J. 2014. Online by design: the essentials of creating information literacy courses.

Bring Your Own Device In The Information Literacy Classroom, Ilana Stonebraker, M Brooke Robertshaw, Hal Kirkwood, Mary Dugan

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

In the 2013 school year, a team of librarians in the Parrish Library of Management and Economics at Purdue University taught a business information literacy course to approximately 500 management students in eight 70-person sessions. Due to limitations on a set of iPads borrowed from another department, one of two concurrent classes was taught with a set of iPads, while another had a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, where students brought their own laptops or iPads. Focus groups, observations of behavior, and final evaluations were utilized to evaluate the comparative perceived effectiveness of the two technology approaches. This paper …

Tapping Into The Skills Of School Librarians, Audrey Church

Education & Human Services Faculty Publications

The article focuses on the role of school librarians in evaluating the teacher's effectiveness. It states that librarians has knowledge about various areas other than library including information literacy, media literacy and digital literacy. It further presents various scenarios that can be used for analyzing the performance of librarians including formal observation, self-evaluation and portfolio.

The D.B. Weldon Library's Instruction Portfolio: A Grassroots, Team-Based Approach, Kim Mcphee, Melanie Mills, Marg Sloan

Western Libraries Presentations

In an effort to address ever-shifting staffing levels and evolving service demands, staff in the Research & Instructional Services department of The D.B. Weldon Library at Western University developed and implemented a new and strategic approach to structuring their work. The ‘Portfolio Model’ provides a framework for organizing the primary functions of the department - collections, instruction and reference - while at the same time preserving liaison at its core. Through a close examination of this grassroots effort and in particular, the achievements realized and challenges faced by the team of librarians and library assistants who together comprise the ‘Instruction …

Librarians With Impact: Contributing To Campus-Wide Learning Space And Course Redesign Transformations, Clarence Maybee, Tomalee Doan, Jeremy Garritano

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Presentation at the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Conference, 2013 concerning the Purdue Libraries involvement in IM:PACT (Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation), an initiative to redesign foundational courses at Purdue based on established best practices to improve student success.

Book Review: Transforming Information Literacy Instruction Using Learner-Centered Teaching, Cindy Gruwell

Library Faculty Publications

In-depth book review of Kaplowitz, J. R. (2012). Transforming information literacy instruction using learner-centered teaching. London: Facet. Journal of information literacy, 6(1), pp.107-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.11645/6.1.1703

Information Literacy And Critical Thinking: Applying Elements To Academic Research Practices In The First Year, Sara Mccaslin

UC Publications

No abstract provided.

Strategies For Teaching 21st Century Skills To Tomorrow's College Students, Ann Marie Smeraldi, Kenneth J. Burhanna, Joanna Mcnally, Jennifer Schwelik

Michael Schwartz Library Publications

Today’s first year college students arrive on campus underprepared for the academic demands that await them. Despite the dedicated efforts of high school librarians, research continues to illustrate that students lack basic information literacy skills crucial to their academic success in higher education. In this session high school and academic librarians will explore this issue with participants to identify key deficits in students’ 21st Century Skills.

The presenters will share their insights on college professors’ expectations and offer best practices for educating tomorrow’s college students. Presenters will provide ideas for lesson plans and assessment; actual college assignments will be shared.

Western Kentucky University Libraries, Preparing Information Literate Students At Wku: Report Of The Task Force On Universal Information Literacy, Bryan Carson Chair, John C. Gottfried, Amanda Hardin, Jonathan J. Jeffrey, Sara Mccaslin, Tammera Race, Amy J W Slowik

Library Annual Reports, Reports, and Statistics

Purpose:

The Task Force on Universal Information Literacy was formed in the fall of 2010 and charged with reviewing the advisability and viability of providing information literacy instruction to every student at WKU.

Readers Matter: The Development Of An Individualized Professional Development Model, Daniel Jacob Super

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An alarming trend of student non-compliance with reading assignments in secondary and post-secondary environments is causing concern in many areas, including college readiness. Public school teachers and university faculty alike are responsible for the literacy levels of graduating students; however, many educators are not implementing the adequate literacy supports within their content area courses. This project used current research on best practice in literacy instruction, as well as the Characteristics of Highly Effective Teaching and Learning to create the Readers Matter™ evaluative process in which faculty members self-select to be assessed regarding the current levels of student literacy support. After …

Mapping Information Literacy Outcomes And Other Intellectual Skills Into Students' Educational Experiences, Patricia A. Iannuzzi, L Dee Fink

Library Faculty Presentations

The 2007 report, College Learning for the New Global Century, outlines a cluster of intellectual and practical skills that are critical components of a liberal education: inquiry and analysis; critical and creative thinking; written and oral communication; quantitative literacy; information literacy; and teamwork and problem solving. The learning outcomes associated with information literacy relate to and incorporate many of the learning outcomes in all of these skill clusters. Participants in this session will address how these information literacy and related learning outcomes can be mapped into student learning experiences at three levels: in an individual course, in an academic sequence …

It Takes A Village: Educating 21st Century Students For College Success, Ann Marie Smeraldi

Michael Schwartz Library Publications

12-13 Transition . . . 21st Century skills . . . PreK through 20 . . . These buzz words appear in email subject lines and on websites . . . they pop up in articles, but what does it all mean for school library media specialist and academic librarians? Come explore how library media specialists and academic librarians can forge new alliances and collaborate to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders. Participants will learn about one academic librarian’s experiences serving as a high school liaison and working with college freshmen.

12 - 13 Transition: Collaborations For Student Success, Ann Marie Smeraldi

Michael Schwartz Library Publications

Are high school students prepared academically for the challenge of college? Have they mastered essential information literacy skills that are the foundation of scholarly inquiry? This presentation explores the answers to these questions and offers suggestions on how educators at all levels can help students be college ready and not just college eligible.

Towards Virtual Information Literacy: Academic Librarian Integration Into Teacher Education Distance Learning Programs, Brenna Helmstutler

University Library Faculty Presentations

Having convenient, instant access to electronic library resources in academia is excellent as research can be conducted literally anywhere and at any time; however, a level of user self-direction is required for optimal results, creating the need for librarian interaction to guide the user towards acquiring this self-direction most effectively. As more institutions add online degree programs, it is essential that librarians are integrated within so that participating students have access to the same (or at least, equivalent) library resources and services as those who are on campus, and also develop sound research skills for information literacy acquisition. Although librarians …

The Value Of Lnformation Literacy Skills For Teaching And Learning, Phyllis K. Adcock, Melissa Cast-Brede

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

This article defines information literacy and how information literacy skills are important to education faculty and students. Education students are being prepared to assume their roles as teachers without realizing some of the important skills that are necessary for that role, such as information literacy. Teacher education students need to develop good information literacy skills so they can pass those skills on to their own students. In a qualitative study of teacher education students in a beginning-level professional education class, involving students in a hands-on activity involving information literacy resulted in teacher education student papers that were richer and better …

Why Teach ''Research As A Conversation'' In Freshman Composition Courses? A Metaphor To Help Librarians And Composition Instructors Develop A Shared Model, P. S. Mcmillen, E. Hill

Library Faculty Publications

Ongoing discussion between the Oregon State University (OSU) libraries' acting instruction coordinator and the Assistant Composition Coordinator focuses on improving collaboration between our programs and more effectively integrating the research process into the English composition curriculum. We briefly describe a qualitative analysis of the problems with students' writing that led us to develop a new model for integrating the research and writing processes. We provide our rationale for selecting conversation as a metaphor for research and summarize suggested teaching strategies from the literature that are consistent with this metaphor and approach.