Information Literacy Commons^™

Information Outlook, December 2010, Special Libraries Association

Information Outlook, 2010

Volume 14, Issue 8

Why Would They Try? Motivation And Motivating In Low-Stakes Information Skills Testing, Jeanne M. Brown, Carrie A. Gaxiola

Library Faculty Research

In 2008 the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) University Libraries piloted the Educational Testing Service’s standardised test of information, communication, and technology (ICT) skills (iSkills) in spring and autumn 2008. In the course of administering the test we explored motivational strategies, a critical component in low-stakes, low-personal-consequences testing. Motivational strategies included providing feedback on test performance, highlighting the value of the test for the individual student, and appealing to the student’s willingness to improve the overall performance of the institution. We addressed ways to motivate students in order to enhance their level of participation in and performance …

Research-Based Learning From The Start: Developing Undergraduate Researchers, Anne E. Zald, Jennifer L. Fabbi

Library Faculty Presentations

This presentation will:

- Describe the Faculty Institute for Research-Based Learning in High Impact Classes at UNLV –Goals and curriculum –Examples of impact to date

- Rough assessment of need to intentionally integrate research skills into curriculum at your institutions

- Action plan focusing on potential collaborators at your institutions

Information Outlook, October/November 2010, Special Libraries Association

Information Outlook, 2010

Volume 14, Issue 7

Saving Student Brian: Engaging Students With Innovative Technology, Stacey Greenwell, Beth Kraemer, Debbie Sharp, Susan K. Smith

Library Faculty and Staff Publications

Question: How do you provide library orientation for a large number of first-year students without boring them to death? Answer: Create a video using new technology, student actors, and a little fun.

Learn step by step how the University of Kentucky Libraries revived their first year student orientation experience creating a video filmed on campus and in the virtual world, Second Life. From writing and filming to editing and screening, the presenters will discuss the process, offering practical tips and suggestions for creating your own instructional video. In addition, the presenters will discuss lessons learned from this experience.

Teaching Matters: Developing As A Teacher/Librarian [Column]: Rules Of Engagement: Best Practices For Connecting With Students, Janelle M. Zauha

Communications in Information Literacy

This column focuses on the conceptual and practical aspects of teaching information literacy. Column co-editor Patrick Ragains and I write about trends and issues that have come to our attention, but we also solicit contributions to this space. Readers with ideas for Teaching Matters may contact Patrick Ragains at [email protected], or the editors of Communications in Information Literacy at [email protected].

Best Practices For Online Video Tutorials: A Study Of Student Preferences And Understanding, Melissa Bowles-Terry, Merinda Hensley, Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe

Communications in Information Literacy

In order to develop best practices for online video library tutorials, this research study used an interview-based research method to investigate usability, findability, and instructional effectiveness. The findings document student learner preferences and are the basis for guidelines for future tutorial development.

Who's In Charge Here? Authority, Authoritativeness, And The Undergraduate Researcher, Marybeth Meszaros

Communications in Information Literacy

No abstract provided.

Unlearn What You Have Learned: Digital Disorganization And Information Literacy Instruction, Maryann Hight

Communications in Information Literacy

Traditional organizational schemes utilized for class design and for the organization of research materials means little to students comfortable with the disorganized internet environment. This article examines how constructivist principles and the disorganization of the internet was utilized to design a unique online information literacy course.

User Education And Information Literacy In Agricultural Universities Of India, Neena Singh

Communications in Information Literacy

Twenty-six of the agricultural universities in India teach user education and information literacy (IL). This article evaluates these courses and investigates if and how the course curriculum blends research and technical writing skills effectively. Unfortunately, the courses lack uniformity in teaching IL and technical writing skills. Since the universities are under state government control, they are unable to provide uniform curricula throughout India. There is also a need for a credited course on IL, integrating ICT and computer skills, and another course for research and technical writing.

Research For Design: Exploring Student And Instructor Attitudes Toward Accessing Library Resources And Services From Course Management Systems (Cms), Merinda Mclure, Karen Munro

Communications in Information Literacy

The authors report a study concerning student and instructor attitudes toward accessing library resources and services from within course management systems (CMS). In spring 2008, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with a small population of students and instructors at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) and at Colorado State University (CSU). They asked participants to respond to examples of library integrations in course management systems at other institutions and to report their local experiences with both the campus CMS and library services. Participant responses frequently challenged and complicated the authors' assumptions about best practices in integrating a library presence and …

Aiming For Assessment: Notes From The Start Of An Information Literacy Course Assessment, Peter Larsen, Amanda Izenstark, Joanna Burkhardt

Communications in Information Literacy

To provide systematic assessment of a 3-credit, full-semester information literacy course at the University of Rhode Island, the library instruction faculty adapted the Bay Area Community College Information Competency Proficiency Exam to determine how well the students learned the material taught in the course and how well that material reflected the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.

Instruction 2.0 - What Are We Actually Doing?, Greg Bobish

Communications in Information Literacy

This survey looks at ARL Libraries' instruction websites and tries to identify publicly available Library 2.0 tools focused on user education. The reasons for each tool's presence or absence are discussed and an overall assessment of the current state of the use of these tools in the field is offered.

Embedded Librarians: Building Relationships With The Honors College, Jenna Rinalducci

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

This year long collaboration between the Honors College and the Library began with an instruction session for Honors College teaching assistants. Our collaboration focused primarily on the student’s first class on research methods. In their Honors 110: Research Methods class, students are introduced to research practices, including the development of research topics, the analysis of sources, and the organization of evidence. As our collaboration increased we developed new strategies for meeting the information needs of the students and their teachers. We were able to work with teachers and students both in person and online. We are building an online presence …

10 Bucks = 10 Great Ideas: Dollar Daze And Thrifty Finds To Engage Students In Literacy And Learning, Julia Andreacchi

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The workshop will stimulate thought and will give participants an opportunity to share their ideas in small group discussion format. Ideas/activities developed adhere to the “Standards for the 21st Century Learner”. “Give me a reason to go to the Library”, (Andrea Drusch). Activities developed are in collaboration with the Teacher-Librarian and classroom Teacher. The novel, Teddy Gets Out! serves as an inspiration to the development of the activities. This powerful story of unconditional love and motivation to succeed serves to successfully address literacy through a series of interdisciplinary activities. Activities address reading comprehension, vocabulary, character education, nature and ecology, artistic …

Dream A Little Dream Of Us ... United For Success!, Esther Grassian

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.

Fighting Professor Boredom And The Student's Narrow Scope: A Strategy For More Varied And Interesting College Freshmen Papers, Randy Howe

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.

Needs Analysis: The First Step In Library Instruction Assessment, Anne Pemberton

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Using instructional design methods, specifically conducting a needs analysis, can provide librarians with a road map for designing an assessment plan for library instruction. Instructional design models are often unfamiliar to librarians and underutilized in library instruction and in information literacy programs. One instructional design model is ADDIE: Analyze Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. The first step in the process, the analysis, can be done by developing a needs analysis for your specific institution in order to measure the gap between what faculty expect students to know and the knowledge and skills that students actually possess. Conducting a needs analysis …

The Very Idea! Teaching Information Literacy In The Liberal Arts Environment, Jason Ezell, Philip Smith

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.

Bringing Library Resources To The Online Classroom: Building Faculty-Librarian Partnerships, Sofia Slutskaya, Rebecca Rose, Amelia Glawe

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The number of students taking online classes has risen substantially over past several years. Many traditional colleges offer online and hybrid classes as an alternative to traditional face-to-face instruction. Face-to-face faculty are encouraged to learn and use course management systems (CMS) to publish syllabi and assignments, track student grades and supplement traditional interactions with chat and electronic discussion boards. Often overwhelming to instructors, digital educational tools proliferate throughout the academic landscape. Determining which tools will work for your classroom environment can be daunting, in addition to the hours of training so as to effectively use those tools. Partnering with librarians …

Electronic Reserve Copyright And You, Martin Dunlap

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Electronic Reserve (eReserve) systems are a boon for students and faculty alike: having only one online place where professors can post class readings, homework, the solutions, class notes, film, music, as well as any other materials students need to do well in class. The online system also offers the faculty an easy way to update and disseminate course materials to students. The goal of any efficient eReserve system is to make life a little easier for both students and faculty while not over-burdening the staff who are tasked with running it. However, making a system easy for faculty to use …

Multiple Partnerships For Student Information Literacy: Library, Writing Center, Faculty, And Administrators, Barbara Alderman, Andrew Todd, Barbara Rau Kyle

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

In May, 2007, a University of Central Florida regional campus team comprised of teaching faculty, librarians, administrators, and writing center coordinators received a three year Quality Enhancement Plan grant to study the impact of a library/writing center partnership on student information literacy. This presentation will share our project’s results and benefits. Using the ACRL Information Literacy Standards, the team developed modifications and interventions designed to improve students’ ability to gather, evaluate, and use information, and to enhance their technology literacy and critical thinking. The project’s development included ongoing discussions of progress, obstacles, program collaboration, and single location of services. Targeted …

Lost In Translation: Creating A Common Language For Information Literacy Across Disciplines, Emily Frigo, Mary O'Kelly, Jodi Tyron

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The Libraries of Grand Valley State University (GVSU) crafted an Information Literacy Core Competencies document during fall 2008 for adoption by the larger GVSU community (http://main.gvsu.edu/library/information-literacy-core-competencies-168.htm). The philosophy of information literacy is embedded in all learning environments, but the term information literacy is most prevalent in the context of libraries. The competencies document was an attempt to clarify these concepts in a manner that speaks to the broader academic community. Every effort was made to use inclusive language and to make concepts applicable to a wide variety of academic disciplines. Focus groups were chosen as the lead vehicle to roll …

Hang Gliding From Bi To Il, Kelly Rhodes Mcbride

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Information Literacy Librarians in Belk Library and Information Commons are mapping a new strategy in response to a new academic focus in General Education on the campus of Appalachian State University. Belk Library’s Information Literacy and Instruction Program is moving from the traditional one-shot bibliographic instruction (BI) session to a curriculum integrated information literacy (IL) approach, which begins with students in the first year and extends through their capstone experience. This presentation will outline the process, which includes a revision and implementation of the University’s General Education Program, the development of academically-centered First Year Programs, and the building of partnerships …

Preventing Depression: Using Conflict-Of-Interest In Evidence-Based Medicine To Teach Information Literacy, Jonathan Leo, Philip Smith

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.

Ic @ Ghc: Assessing Information Literacy Skills Across The Curriculum And On A Budget, Cindy Wheeler, Teresa Hutchins

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Information Competency at Georgia Highlands College (IC @ GHC) is a curriculum-wide plan implemented at a two-year college to increase student information competency levels. This presentation will discuss strategies which allowed the college to successfully meet the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) requirements of SACS through the use of innovative assessment and implementation measures which garnered enthusiastic faculty involvement and also managed to stay within a first year, $14,000 shoe-string budget. The plan was born out of a grassroots effort that involved

Building A First-Year Information Literacy Experience: Integrating Best Practices In Education And Acrl Information Literacy Standards For Higher Education, Jacalyn Bryan, Elana Karshmer

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

SLU100 (Introduction to the University Experience) is a mandatory first-year course. It provides a framework of strategies to help students succeed in and out of the classroom. This course includes a library component that requires each class section to attend a library instruction session. Time and staff limitations, as well as a desire to include meaningful active learning experiences relating to Information Literacy, prompted a redesign of the instructional approach. The new instruction plan integrates the ACRL IL standards, McREL strategies, and active learning opportunities in order to create library instruction sessions that are based on practical as well as …

Librarians On Demand: Offering Instruction And Reference Services Anytime They Want It And Anywhere They Want It, Angiah Davis, Carla Fredd, Kimberley Bugg

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

The Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center is privileged to be the sole library for four distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU): Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and the Interdenominational Theological Center. This role can also be a challenge when trying to reach students and faculty in all the campuses since the physical building of the library is not centrally located. With the help of technology and a few campus contacts, Woodruff librarians are taking their reference services to where the researchers are – on campus. Faculty and or campus staff select a time …

Using Freely Available Software In Information Literacy Instruction, Leslie Madden

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

Actively engaging students in the learning process makes for a much more satisfying experience for both the instructor and student, and using technology is one way to do this. In this time of shrinking budgets, however, justifying the expense of new software can be difficult. This presentation will focus on four software programs that are available at no cost on the Internet and will describe how each may be used in information literacy instruction. The four software programs that will be profiled are: Jing, which allows for the creation of short video demonstrations; Zoomerang, survey software that may be used …

Teachers, Partners, Co-Mentors: Collaborating To Improve Research And Writing Instruction, Alex R. Hodges, Alison B. Thomas, Patricia J. West

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

See presentation description.