Communications in Information Literacy

Communications in Information Literacy (CIL) is new open access journal which describes itself as an independent, professional, refereed electronic journal dedicated to advancing knowledge, theory, and research in the area of information literacy. CIL is committed to the principles of information literacy as set forth by the Association of College and Research Libraries. CIL is also committed to the principles of open access for academic research.

The first issue has three interesting articles, one on the Augustana credit based IL courses, the second oabout British librarians using Blackboard for a curriculum integrated course in IL and the third questioning the idea of using "champions" in attempting to establish an IL environment.

Mini-Instruction Idea

Here is an interesting idea for when you are given a very short time (15-20 min) in a class - one that actively engages the students and shows in just a four steps how the library resources compare to Google/Wikipedia:

1. Ask the class what they think of the potential of Google and Wikipedia to deliver information beyond the basics. Correct false perceptions.

2. Use a topic, relevant to the class, in the catalog, showing how a keyword search can identify some relevant titles, but teaching them how to use subject links in records to go beyond the limitations of title terminology.

3. Choose one journal database and demonstrate the quality and extensiveness of information available on the chosen topic. Emphasize the value-added of subscription databases.

4. End it.

Courtesy of William Badke of Trinity Western University

Term Paper Alternatives

Lots of ideas here if you are working with departments or professors to find alternatives to term papers.

Journal of Information Literacy

Journal of Information Literacy (JIL) is an international, peer-reviewed journal that investigates Information Literacy within a wide range of settings. The latest issue has a review of the Miller and Pellen edited book titled: Libraries and Google.

Tips and Trends - YouTube

Tips and Trends is a newsletter for new or emerging tech trends of relevance to Information Literacy. The latest one is on YouTube for library instruction - examples are cited.

UNESCO-SALIS e-Learning Portal for Awareness Raising on Information Literacy

The Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS), India, in collaboration with UNESCO, has just launched a six-month project entitled Interactive E-Learning Portal on Information Literacy Competency Development Skills for South Asia.
The project aims to raise awareness and enhance information literacy competency skills of laymen as well as information professionals and educators. Its objectives are fully in line with UNESCO’s mandate to bridge the digital divide and UNESCO’s vision of Knowledge Societies.

Gaming for Information Literacy

Gaming is a trend in information literacy. Here’s a link to a new article on information literacy that has been posted at Library Philosophy and Practice entitled Games for Teaching Information Literacy Skills by Felicia A. Smith of the University of Notre Dame. The author includes examples of crossword puzzles, wordfinds, and other methods that worked well in the classroom.

Interviews with Databases

This is quite an idea - the database is a persona, who is interviewed by the librarian. Try the Interview with JSTOR or the Appointment with CINAHL.