Informed learning:
Supporting student transition and
academic success in higher education
Hilary Hughes and Christine Bruce
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Higher Education Academy Annual Conference
Manchester, UK, July 2012
Brisbane, Australia
South Bank Parklands, Brisbane River and CBD (city centre)
Upper Kedron, Brisbane
Informed learning: Supporting student transition
and academic success in higher education
Overview …
Evolution of informed learning.
Principles and characteristics of informed learning.
Informed learning in practice: 3 units of study.
Photo copied with permission from QUT website
Australian higher
education…
Socially and culturally diverse;
International engagement;
Imperatives: sustainability, quality and equity;
Trend towards online and part-time learning;
Graduate attributes + disciplinary knowledge;
Informed learning =
simultaneous attention to
subject learning and information use
using
information
to learn
something
critical, creative, reflective, ethical, wise
use of information (in all forms )
to learn (in all contexts)
Christine Bruce, Informed learning, 2008
Principles of informed learning
takes into account
learners’ previous
experiences of
information use and
knowledge
promotes
simultaneous
learning about
information use
and subject(s)
brings about
changes in
learners’
experiences of
information use
and knowledge
Adapted from Bruce, 2008
trans
formative
inclusive
reflective
expansive
responsible
creative
characteristics
active
of informed learning
grounded
eclectic
context
ualised
collab
balanced
orative
Adapted from Bruce, 2008
Informed learning in practice
papajOe (2008). The spit at broadwater_edited-2. Copied under Creative Commons licence. http://www.flickr.com/photos/46543410@N02/4474762366/
Personalised Language Development
(MEd TESOL/TEFL at QUT)
Simultaneously …
experiencing different ways of
using information
to create a literature review
learning about
second language learning
Unit objectives
an informed learning journey
~ Extend subject knowledge - topic related to second/foreign language learning.
~ Develop familiarity with Aus academic environment & conventions.
~ Develop awareness of diverse information types, sources & media.
~ Develop a critical, creative, reflective, ethical approach to using info for learning.
~ Develop scholarly communication strategies for - written & oral.
~ Explore concepts and practice of informed learning.
Cyberlearning
(Master of Education at QUT)
Simultaneously …
experiencing different ways of
using online information/media:
as learners, educators:
designers and critics
learning about cyberlearning
theory & practice:
as disciplinary knowledge
Unit objectives
informed cyberlearning
~ Extend subject knowledge – theory and topical issues of cyberlearning.
~ Develop familiarity with online learning environment (formal and social).
~ Use online media to collaboratively design and create a cyberlearning resource.
~ Develop a critical, creative, reflective, ethical approach to using info for cyberlearning.
~ Apply pedagogical strategies to support students’ cyberlearning.
~ Explore learning and creating in a virtual team.
Informed learning at University of Colorado Denver
~
Learning in the 21st century
(First year experience seminar at UC Denver)
Simultaneously …
experiencing different ways of
using information to learn:
as freshmen students
learning about learning:
as disciplinary knowledge
Unit objectives
becoming informed learners
~ Extend subject knowledge – basic theory about learning and learners.
~ Develop familiarity with university learning environment.
~ Explore different learning spaces.
~ Build learning community and personal learner identity.
~ Use information of various types to research a topic about learning.
~ Develop a critical, creative, reflective, ethical approach to using info for learning.
First year experience
as informed learning journey
Informed learning treasure chests
Transition
from
Students’ experiences of informed learning
diverse life experiences
Informed learning
information-learning
environment
using information
here
discipline and subject
dimensions
strengths-challenges
to
continuing informed learning
who: students’ educational
experiences, knowledge, linguistic
& cultural attributes
where: culturally diverse onlineintensive higher education
what: different types of information
and media
how: approaches to using
information
focus: developing new
understandings and knowledge
influences: affective, reflective,
cultural-linguistic
capabilities and needs:
information use and subject
knowledge
well-being: personal and
professional growth
informed citizenship: social
participation
informed worldview: crosscultural fluency
Conclusion
The informed learning journey looks like an alley
bordered by a lot of wonderful flowers.
Learners gather these beautiful things while
walking and now it is time for harvest festival.
(Tania, China)
iMakeGuernsey (2011) Bluebell Wood, Guernsey . Copied with creative Commons licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/imakeguernsey/5640571512/
International students’ experiences of
informed learning
Questions ?
Thank you …
Hilary Hughes and Christine Bruce
h.hughes@qut.edu.au
c.bruce@qut.edu.au
Informed Learning Bibliography
Bruce, C. S. (2008). Informed learning. Chicago: College and Research Libraries, American
Library Association.
Bruce, C.S. (1997). The seven faces of information literacy. Adelaide: Auslib Press.
Bruce, C.S. & Hughes, H. (2010). Informed Learning: A pedagogical construct for
information literacy education. Library and Information Science Research,32(4), A2A8.
Bruce, C.S., Hughes, H., & Somerville, M.M. (2012). Supporting informed learners in the
21st century. Library Trends, 60(3).
Hughes, H. (2012). Informed (cyber)learning: A case study. In P. Godwin and J. Parker.
Information literacy beyond Library 2.0. (pp. 139-150). London: Facet.
Hughes, H. (forthcoming, 2012). International students using online information
resources to learn: complex experience and learning needs. Journal of Further and
Higher Education. URL:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0309877X.2011.644778
Hughes, H., & Bruce, C.S. (2012). Informed learning in online environments: Supporting
the higher education curriculum beyond Web 2.0. In P. Godwin and J. Parker.
Information literacy beyond Library 2.0. (pp. 65-79). London: Facet.