The story of GAeL (Graduate Attributes eLearning): Embedding Information Literacy through Critical Skills, Collaboration and a new Curriculum

Lorna Dodd & Dr Brian McKenzieMaynooth University

CONUL Conference, June 1-2, 2016, Athlone

Key Conditions for Collaboration

Seismic shift in curriculum

Interdisciplinary

learning

Resource scarcity

Commitment to information

literacy

A new curriculum with a key focus on critical skills

Maynooth University Graduate Attributes

“…graduates are expected to be… capable of gathering and critiquing information from a variety of sources” (Maynooth University, 2014)

Deep Knowledge &

Critical intellectual

skills

Autonomous and

responsible learners

Breadth of perspective

Skills for life and work

A Maynooth Education

Content Vs Skills

Information Literacy

Problem Solving

Independent Learning

Critical Thinking

Analysis

Reflection

Communication Skills

Understand academic standards

Ethical Responsibility

Critical Skills in the new Curriculum

An opportunity for the Library to be heard….

1. Managing the transition and becoming an independent learner

2. Mapping and evaluating the information landscape

3. Researching within the disciplines4. Managing and presenting information5. Understanding the ethical and social

dimensions of information

Five Key Competencies

• Mapping & evaluating the information landscape

• Managing & presenting information

•Managing the transition

•Understanding ethical & social dimensions of information

• Researching within the disciplines

Deep Knowledge &

Critical intellectual

skills

Autonomous and

responsible learners

Breadth of perspective

Skills for life and work

Information Literacy Framework for ‘A Maynooth Education’

Train the trainer – master classes for tutors

Guides and supports illustrating how information literacy can be integrated with other critical skills and embedded into content

Tutorials and quizzes that can be customised and embedded into Moodle

Instructional videos and online guides

Embedding information literacy evaluation into assessment

New Resources

Collaboration Affects Curriculum: Writing Wikipedia

Feedback, Confidence, Team Work

IL, ICT

“The entropic library is one in which the library is not only a physical destination and an institutional cornerstone, but also is a gravitational force in the digital scholarly life of the campus.” Andrew Ashton, Director of the Libraries, Vassar College

Collaboration Affects Curriculum: Writing Wikipedia

Wikipedia Critical Skills Group Project

“The student essay is a twitch in a

void. A compressed outpouring of

energy—if we’re lucky—that

means nothing to no one.”

Mark Sample, Davidson College

Assessment Rubric

Managing the transition and becoming an independent learner

Managing and presenting information

Mapping and evaluating the information landscape

Researching within the disciplines

Understanding the ethical and social dimensions of information

Teaching FellowshipA suite of tutorials, videos and guides that support the

development and assessment of key

Information Literacy skills and the

Maynooth Graduate Attributes

GAeL (Graduate Attributes eLearning)

1. Using problem solving to find relevant information2. Critically thinking to evaluate information and its

source3. Framing your Research Question4. Understanding Plagiarism5. Paraphrasing Vs. Quoting6. Referencing information appropriately using

bibliographic software7. From Research to Writing

The new curriculum opened

up a new model for collaboration…..

…moving away from the traditional Library model of

disciplinary service