Tuesday, January 31, 2006

From Teaching to Learning

"In its briefest form, the paradigm that has [traditionally] governed our colleges is this: A college is an institution that exists to provide instruction. Subtly but profoundly we are shifting to a new paradigm: A college is an institution that exists to produce learning. This shift changes everything. . . . We are beginning to recognize that our dominant paradigm mistakes a means for an end. It takes the means or method—called “instruction” or “teaching”—and makes it the college’s end or purpose. To say that the purpose of colleges is to provide instruction is like saying that General Motors’ business is to operate assembly lines or that the purpose of medical care is to fill hospital beds. We now see that our mission is not instruction but rather that of producing learning with every student by whatever means work best" (Barr and Tagg 1995).

Barr, Robert B., and John Tagg. 1995. From Teaching to Learning—A New Paradigm for Undergraduate Education. Change 27 (November/December): 12–25.

Monday, January 30, 2006

Information Literacy IQ (Institutional Quotient) Test

This IQ test is designed to help you determine the readiness of your institution in integrating information literacy into your curriculum. Respond to each statement by marking it true or false. Total all the number of true statements your have marked and compare your rating with the guide at the bottom of the page.

Friday, January 27, 2006

IL Credit Courses in Canadian Colleges and Universities

This is a list of Information Literacy Credit Courses in Canadian Colleges and Universities. The list does not include courses where information literacy or library instruction is a component of a credit course. Of the 34 courses listed, 21 are at Augustana at the University of Alberta. If you click on the Augustana link, you will see each of the courses and can link through to the syllabus for each.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Brown University Library Tutorials

Brown University has developed what they call story-based Library Video Tutorials. They use two Brown students as actors in what they describe as a funny, but informative, narrative. Brown University Library says that the modules show that there is MUCH more than Google to rely on for researching and writing term papers.

But tell me, do you love or hate this librarian? I thought the funniest ones were Finding Books and Finding Articles. I sure felt like I was looking into a mirror at times and I wasn't necessarily pleased with what I saw ;-)

These videos require QuickTime.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Project Sails

Project SAILS is a standardized test of information literacy skills, based on ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. This Web-based tool allows libraries to document information literacy skill levels for groups of students and to pinpoint areas for improvement.