Information Literacy
Information Literacy:
…the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information.
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) |
Context of Information Literacy at Kwantlen Library (developing research skills)
The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Library offers comprehensive research skills sessions for courses at all levels which are based on the standards, performance indicators, and outcomes published in the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (recently adopted by the Library). The role of the Information Literacy Program in the context of a teaching library is to encourage and facilitate life-long learning. In order to empower students in the pursuit of knowledge, the library faculty aims to teach them the skills of identifying, locating, and evaluating information.
Librarians actively seek opportunities to collaborate with Instructors to integrate and embed information literacy components into the curriculum and are knowledgeable and experienced in providing appropriate assessment and activities that promote information literacy skills development. For further information or assistance with information literacy contact our Instruction Librarian Mirela Djokic at mirela.djokic@kwantlen.ca.
The information literacy program at Kwantlen Libraries is offered through a blend of services that include research skills classes and course/subject specific instruction sessions (not for credit), personal research sessions, and research help at the Reference desk. Instruction is delivered in a library lab environment and occasionally in an e-classroom at the instructor’s request. Work is in process to deliver IL instruction through distance learning and online.
The Information Literacy program aims to accomplish the following goals:
- To provide information literacy instruction to all students by teaching research sessions skills classes and offer one-on-one research sessions
- To provide course-integrated instruction in collaboration with the faculty and in alignment with course objectives
- To offer workshops such as PDSS sessions to the Kwantlen community
How can a librarian help my students improve their research skills?
The information literacy skills we teach in our research sessions will help faculty fulfill two of the Essential Skills requirements for their courses : Reading & Information Literacy Skills and Technology Skills, contributing to the Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills as well. This is a practical advantage for instructors to have their classes participate in a research session. In this way the Library supports and participates in the learning and teaching goals of the institution. Please refer to The Essential Skills spelled out in section L. 9 of Kwantlen’s administrative policies http://www.kwantlen.ca/policies/
- Learn how to do research - Librarians know how to organize and use information resources, but more importantly, we are professionals at educating users about effective research strategies.
- Become lifelong learners - The skills and knowledge students need to conduct research are vital not only to the pursuit of academic questions, but also to actively contributing to their culture and society. And as such, librarians are a vital part of ensuring Kwantlen students can become global citizens, as well as succeed in your courses.
- Use scholarly information - In our information-saturated culture, students are often overwhelmed when beginning a university-level research project. Class time with a teaching librarian and the course instructor can be a dynamic learning opportunity for students to begin their research. In such a setting, course instructors can know that students have started on their projects using good strategies and quality resources. Librarians also produce web-based, course-specific subject guides to complement in-class instruction and facilitate student research.
- Avoid plagiarism - Research has shown that many instances of student plagiarism stem from students not understanding what plagiarism is, why it is unacceptable in the academic environment, and how to avoid it. Collaborating with a librarian to educate your students about this issue ensures that students are armed with the necessary information to cite correctly.
What expertise does a librarian have?
Librarians at Kwantlen Polytechnic University have a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science. This degree ensures that librarians are experts in the organization and retrieval of information organization and retrieval. We are experts in educating users to identify, find, and use reliable information resources for your subject area.
Each instruction librarian collects materials in specific subject areas and therefore brings unique knowledge to their instruction, development of library collections, and assistance to students, faculty, and staff. We know our subject areas from the information creation and use perspective.
Book a Library Research Skills Class for your students (for Kwantlen Polytechnic University Faculty only) at the Library Instruction page.
Access Research Help Library page to get you started working on your research paper (for students).
Kwantlen Polytechnic University: Information Literacy Framework
based on ACRL Information Literacy Standards and Australian and New Lealand Information Literacy Framework: principles, standards and practice.
Second ed. Editor: Alan Bundy. Adelaide, Australian and New Zealand Institute for Information Literacy, 2004.
|
Concept |
Standard |
Outcomes |
| Standard One |
AWARE |
The information literate person recognises the need for information and determines the nature and extent of the information needed. |
| 1.1 |
Defines and articulates the information need |
| 1.2 |
Understands the purpose, scope and appropriateness of a variety of information sources |
| 1.3 |
Re-evaluates the nature and extent of the information need |
| 1.4 |
Uses diverse sources of information to inform decisions | |
| Standard Two |
SEARCH |
The information literate person finds needed information effectively and efficiently |
| 2.1 |
Selects the most appropriate methods or tools for finding information |
| 2.2 |
Constructs and implements effective search strategies |
| 2.3 |
Obtains information using appropriate methods |
| 2.4 |
Keeps up to date with information sources, information technologies, information access tools and investigative methods | |
| Standard Three |
EVALUATE |
The information literate person critically evaluates information and the information seeking process. |
| 3.1 |
Assesses the usefulness and relevance of the information obtained |
| 3.2 |
Defines and applies criteria for evaluating information |
| 3.3 |
Reflects on the information seeking process and revises search strategies as necessary | |
| Standard Four |
STORE |
The information literate person manages information collected or generated. |
| 4.1 |
Records information and its sources |
| 4.2 |
Organises (orders/classifies/stores) information | |
| Standard Five |
USE to Create Ideas |
The information literate person applies prior and new information to construct new concepts or create new understandings. |
| 5.1 |
Compares and integrates new understandings with prior knowledge to determine the value added, contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information |
| 5.2 |
Communicates knowledge and new understandings effectively | |
| Standard Six |
USE with Socio-cultural Awareness |
The information literate person uses information with understanding and acknowledges cultural, ethical, economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information. |
| 6.1 |
Acknowledges cultural, ethical, legal and socioeconomic issues related to access to, and use of, information |
| 6.2 |
Recognises that information is underpinned by values and beliefs |
| 6.3 |
Conforms with conventions and etiquette related to access to, and use of, information |
| 6.4 |
Legally obtains, stores, and disseminates text, data, images, or sounds | |
Links of Interest
Learning Object Repositories
ANTS: Animated Tutorial Sharing Project. The goal of the project is to create a shared repository of library, research, and information literacy tutorials.
Tips for instructors
The library assignment is an important feature to help our students become more information literate. Librarians are always willing to work with you to create or revise an assignment. Get to know your subject liaison librarian.
In the news: Kwantlen librarians designed a learning object, Web Evaluation Exercises Step-by-Step, which was selected by the ALPS Link Committee as the grand prize winner of the Burning Needs 2010 contest. To see the Web Evaluation document, please follow ALPS link.
07/01/2011 MD
