Information Literacy Need

Here's a description of the information literacy need from the Council of Australian University Librarians Information Literacy Standards document:

Information literacy is required because of proliferating information access and resources. Individuals are faced with diverse, abundant information choices in their studies, in the workplace, and in their lives. Information is available through community resources, special interest organisations, manufacturers and service providers, media, libraries, and the internet. Increasingly, information comes unfiltered. This raises questions about authenticity, validity, and reliability. In addition, information is available through multiple media, including graphical, aural, and textual. These pose special challenges in evaluating, understanding and using information in an ethical and legal manner. The uncertain quality and expanding quantity of information also pose large challenges for society. Sheer abundance of information and technology will not in itself create more informed citizens without a complementary understanding and capacity to use information effectively.

Focusing on Assignments

Here's an interesting site called Focusing on Assignments: Engaging Students in Library Research

It is described as a Collaborative Information Literacy Project of Cornell College & Colorado College. In particular, look at the assignments and the assessments tabs. Is designing appropriate assignments or at least advising on appropriate assignments part of IL for librarians at StFX?

Googling to the Max

Here's a presentation done by Linda J. Goff, Head of Instructional Services at California State University. She calls her MSPowerPoint presentation Googling to the Max. Her philosophy is that "We should all take it as a given that our students are avid Google users and start where they are. My experience is that given an empty search box, most students click before they think. By showing them how to get more out of their Google searching, we can then build on that experience".

Checklist of Information Competencies

California State University and California Community College librarians came up with this checklist of competencies to use as a resource for planning and assessing IL programs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.