Outcomes for Information Literacy and Library Research Skills Bryan Carson (with input from the entire library faculty) Created using Backwards Design Revised June 24, 2008; Reaffirmed August 2010 [Includes ACRL Standards Addressed] The Big Ideas The institution has an abiding concern for the growth and development of their students. o This Parallels a “culture of enforced student success.” Every student is at risk of not succeeding. o Students who don’t use the library are at risk academically. But every student has the ability to succeed. o Information literacy is like a rope bridge over a chasm. Information literacy is the bridge that gets students safely to the other side. “Students who frequently use library resources are also more likely to work harder . . . to meet a faculty member’s expectations” (Kuh & Gonyea, 2003, p. 267). Students perceive that the institution values them, either as individuals or as members of a group. o Students perceive they are respected as individuals and are treated equitably. The institution’s actions and decisions are compatible with espoused values and mission, as observed through institutional integrity and the behavior of librarians, teaching faculty, administrators, and staff. Library anxiety is a barrier that prevents students from using the library as much as they could or should. o Library anxiety refers to an uncomfortable feeling or emotional disposition that is experienced when students are utilizing the library or contemplating its use (Mellon, 1986). o 75 per cent to 85 per cent of undergraduate students described their initial library research experiences in terms of anxiety (Mellon, 1986). Feelings of anxiety stem from either the relative size of the library, a lack of knowledge about the location of materials, equipment, and resources of the library, how to initiate library research, or how to proceed with a library search (Jiao & Onwuegbuzie, 1999, p. 278). o Once in the library, these [anxious] students . . . may overlook maps and signs or misinterpret directions and cues, refrain from asking for help, or give up their search relatively quickly. o These same students often perceive that they are the only ones who do not know how to use the library and who lack library skills. o Their perceptions culminate in shame, concealment, and subsequent avoidance behaviours . . . [They] feel that other students are adept at using the library, while they alone are inept. Their incompetence is a source of embarrassment and consequently should be kept hidden. They feel that asking questions only reveals their ignorance (Jiao & Onwuegbuzie, 1999, pp. 278-279; citations omitted). Library information literacy skills form an important piece of human and cultural capital by creating lifelong learners who will use these skills in the workplace. Cultural capital also includes a component of public service. Academic work is built on a foundation of ethical use of the prior work of others which has been properly documented and cited. Essential Questions What must students know about information literacy in order to be academically successful in college? How can the library and museum we show students that we care about their success in college? What do we need to do in order to prevent, minimize, or combat library anxiety? How do we foster lifelong learning and cultural capital? How can students learn critical thinking and evaluation skills? How can students integrate and transfer information literacy skills to a variety of class and work settings? How can we instill values of the virtue of public service and student engagement? What must students know in order to be legal and ethical information consumers while avoiding plagiarism? Standards Addressed 1. The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed. 1.1. The information literate student defines and articulates the need for information. 1.1b. Explores general information sources to increase familiarity with the topic 1.1c. Identifies key concepts and terms that describe the information need 1.2. The information literate student identifies a variety of types and formats of potential sources for information. 1.2a. Knows how information is formally and informally produced, organized, and disseminated 1.2b. Recognizes that knowledge can be organized into disciplines that influence the way information is accessed. 1.2c. Identifies the value and differences of potential resources in a variety of formats (e.g., multimedia, database, website, data set, audio/visual, book) 1.2d. Identifies the purpose and audience of potential resources (e.g., popular vs. scholarly, current vs. historical) 1.2e. Differentiates between primary and secondary sources, recognizing how their use and importance vary with each discipline. 1.2f. Realizes that information may need to be constructed with raw data from primary 2. The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently. 2.1. The information literate student selects the most appropriate investigative methods or information retrieval systems for accessing the needed information. 2.1c. Investigates the scope, content, and organization of information retrieval systems. 2.1d. Selects efficient and effective approaches for accessing the information needed from the investigative method or information retrieval system 2.2. The information literate student constructs and implements effectively-designed search strategies. 2.2a. Develops a research plan appropriate to the investigative method 2.2b. Identifies keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed 2.2c. Selects controlled vocabulary specific to the discipline or information retrieval source. 2.2d. Constructs a search strategy using appropriate commands for the information retrieval system selected (e.g., Boolean operators, truncation, and proximity for search engines; internal organizers such as indexes for books) 2.2e. Implements the search strategy in various information retrieval systems using different user interfaces and search engines, with different command languages, protocols, and search parameters 2.2f. Implements the search using investigative protocols appropriate to the discipline. 2.3. The information literate student retrieves information online or in person using a variety of methods. 2.3a. Uses various search systems to retrieve information in a variety of formats. 2.3b. Uses various classification schemes and other systems (e.g., call number systems or indexes) to locate information resources within the library or to identify specific sites for physical exploration. 2.3c. Uses specialized online or in person services available at the institution to retrieve information needed (e.g., interlibrary loan/document delivery, professional associations, institutional research offices, community resources, experts and practitioners). 2.3d. Uses surveys, letters, interviews, and other forms of inquiry to retrieve primary information 2.4. The information literate student refines the search strategy if necessary. 2.4a. Assesses the quantity, quality, and relevance of the search results to determine whether alternative information retrieval systems or investigative methods should be utilized 2.4b. Identifies gaps in the information retrieved and determines if the search strategy should be revised 2.4c. Repeats the search using the revised strategy as necessary 2.4 The information literate student extracts, records, and manages the information and its sources. 2.4c. Differentiates between the types of sources cited and understands the elements and correct syntax of a citation for a wide range of resources 2.4d. Records all pertinent citation information for future reference 3. The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system. 3.2. The information literate student articulates and applies initial criteria for evaluating both the information and its sources. 3.2a. Examines and compares information from various sources in order to evaluate reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view or bias 3.2c. Recognizes prejudice, deception, or manipulation 3.2d Recognizes the cultural, physical, or other context within which the information was created and understands the impact of context on interpreting the information 3.4. The information literate student compares new knowledge with prior knowledge to determine the value added, contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information. 3.4e. Determines probable accuracy by questioning the source of the data, the limitations of the information gathering tools or strategies, and the reasonableness of the conclusions. 3.4g. Selects information that provides evidence for the topic. 3.5. The information literate student determines whether the new knowledge has an impact on the individual’s value system and takes steps to reconcile differences. 3.5a. Investigates differing viewpoints encountered in the literature. 3.5b. Determines whether to incorporate or reject viewpoints encountered. 3.7. The information literate student determines whether the initial query should be revised. 3.7a. Determines if original information need has been satisfied or if additional information is needed. 3.7b. Reviews search strategy and incorporates additional concepts as necessary. 3.7c. Reviews information retrieval sources used and expands to include others as needed. 5. The information literate student understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally. 5.1. The information literate student understands many of the ethical, legal and socioeconomic issues surrounding information and information technology. 5.1b. Identifies and discusses issues related to free vs. fee-based access to information. 5.2. The information literate student follows laws, regulations, institutional policies, and etiquette related to the access and use of information resources. 5.2f. Demonstrates an understanding of what constitutes plagiarism and does not represent work attributable to others as his/her own. 5.3. The information literate student acknowledges the use of information sources in communicating the product or performance. 5.3a. Selects an appropriate documentation style and uses it consistently to cite sources. 5.3b. Posts permission granted notices, as needed, for copyrighted material. Lesson Preparation (Handouts) Walking Tour Why should I use the Helm-Cravens Library? Brochures for ERC and Government Documents Database Brochure Important Locations in the Reference Room Tips to Remember Google Advanced Searching Five Common Library Checklists for Evaluating Website Information Bibliography Style Sheet PowerPoint Handout TOPCAT Searching Handout (7/17/08 still to be created) TDnet One Page Handout Directions for Accessing WKU Databases from Off Campus (Proxy Server) Handout Instant Messaging One-Page Handout How do I Tell the Difference Between a Scholarly and a Popular Magazine? Example of a Popular Magazine (7/17/08 still to be created) Example of a Scholarly Journal (7/17/08 still to be created) Example of a Specialized Encyclopedia (7/17/08 still to be created) Example of a Website with Incorrect Information (7/17/08 still to be created) Example of an Authoritative Website (7/17/08 still to be created) References Jiao, Qun G., & Onwuegbuzie, Anthony J. (1999). Is library anxiety important? Library Review 48(6): 278-282. Kuh, George D., & Gonyea, Robert M. (2003, July). The Role of the Academic Library in Promoting Student Engagement in Learning. College & Research Libraries 64(4): 256-282. Mellon, C. A. (1986, March). Library anxiety: A grounded theory and its development. College and Research Libraries, 47(2): 160-65. Weston, Wil. The Academic Library and Retention. (Last visited May 18, 2008). http://wwwrohan.sdsu.edu/~wweston/Presentations.html.