The ACRL (2000) refers to Information literacy as a lifelong learning process (IFLA, 2006), involving the formal development of the following critical stages/skills of a person’s knowledge development:
- Determine/define the extent of information needed
- Access the information effectively and efficiently (strategy)
- Evaluate information and its sources critically
- Incorporate into one’s knowledge base
- Use information to accomplish a specific purpose
- Understand economic, legal, and ethical issues
The ITU library works with faculty in the following ways, to help you develop this critical skill set:
- National Standards: Librarians and faculty, develop a curriculum that is based on a highly research and regarded national framework and set of information literacy standards and best practices recommended for higher education.
- Learning Outcomes: The Information Literacy Value Rubric (AACU 2016) is used by faculty and librarians to make sure that Information literacy objectives are identified, mapped, taught and evaluated within course units as well as through the library, library website and other tools.
- Teacher Training & Awareness: Training programs and workshops for faculty about how to teach information literacy skills within their course units, in their proper context, e.g. Teaching Information Literacy Workshop (June 2016) Example: see Business Information Resources Workshop
- Learning Materials & Resources: The library develops “templates” for lessons that teach the various information literacy skills, e.g. Defining the research question.
- Library Website: Staff-reviewed and recommended resources for information literacy (below).
Information Literacy: Recommended Resources by Skill
The following carefully reviewed resources will help you develop your information literacy skill set, from identifying and refining research tasks, to communicating the results effectively and ethically to the desired audience, in the correct format.
Each of the following skills will be increasingly required as information and data become more abundant. As well as attending advertised workshops, and completing information literacy tasks during your coursework, you should consult at least two resources in each “research” area in the following list. You should also make time to consult with the librarian about information literacy skills such as APA citation, checking for plagiarism, etc.
| Recommended Resource | Description |
|---|---|
1. Understand Why Information Literacy is Important |
|
| Download PPT Slides (PDF) | |
| Video produced by the ACRL | |
| Video produced by Seminole State Library, 2014 | |
| London School of Economics, 2015 | |
| A humorous video by RMIT, Melbourne, 2010 | |
| Video talk about internet ethics and information quality | |
2. Determine Extent of Information Needed |
|
| Download PPT Slides (PDF) | |
| Video produced by Steely Library NKY, 2014 | |
| Step-by-step approach to successful research | |
| The Knowledge Network for Innovations in Learning and Teaching (KNILT) | |
3. Access Information Effectively and Efficiently |
|
| (Identify problem & break it down) | University of Maryland |
| KNILT | |
| New Hampshire Institute of Art | |
| Noodletools | |
| KNILT | |
| New Hampshire Institute of Art | |
| Georgia Tech Library | |
| Willamette University Library | |
4. Critically Evaluate Information |
|
| University of CA, Santa Cruz | |
| Information literacy: various skills | |
| Detailed video by Hartness Library CCV/Vermont Tech, 2012 | |
| Video produced by Mike Slowinski, 2011 (xtranormal) | |
| University of British Columbia | |
| John Hopkins Sheridan Libraries | |
| Willamette University Library | |
5. Communicate Findings: Citation Tools |
|
| and | International Technological University (ITU) |
| and | New Hampshire Institute of Art |
| Videos about note-taking, time management, etc. | |
| Portland State University Writing Center | |
| and | Comprehensive guide to using the APA style guide |
| University of Antelope Valley, CA | |
| Compares scores of personal referencing tools | |
| Learning resources focused on information literacy | |
6. Understand Copyright, Plagiarism, & Ethical Use |
|
| Recommended by American Library Association | |
| Non-profit comprehensive guide to plagiarism | |
| and | Qld University of Technology, Australia |
| University of Illinois | |
| YouTube Video by Kyle Stedman | |
| Presentation about avoiding plagiarism | |
| Produced by Powtoon Video (by Kim Allman) | |
| University of Antelope Valley, CA | |
| University of Oregon Website | |
| Everything to know about copyright & fair use |
- Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL, 2013). Guidelines for University Library Services to Undergraduate Students. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ulsundergraduate
- Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL, 2016). Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework
- Association of American Colleges & Universities (AACU, 2016). Information Literacy Value Rubric. Retrieved from: https://www.aacu.org/value/rubrics/information-literacy
- International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions (IFLA, 2006). Guidelines for Information Literacy for Lifelong Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/information-literacy/publications/ifla-guidelines-en.pdf
- American Library Association (ALA, 2008). Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics
- American Library Association (ALA, 1996). Bill of Rights. Retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill