Student Information SkillsHow Can the Library Help?

Dana Longley, Manager of Library Services

The Need

87% of students are “information illiterate” 1

89% use search engines to start research (2% use library web site) 2

1. Foster, A. (2006). Students Fall Short on 'Information Literacy,' Educational Testing Service's Study Finds. Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(10), A36. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database: http://bit.ly/cnxwEx

2. College Students’ Perceptions of the Libraries and Information Resources: A Report to the OCLC Membership. Dublin, OH: OCLC, 2006: http://www.oclc.org/reports/perceptionscollege.htm

Student Research Behavior

Primary student sources: textbooks and Google1

Tend not to use “library services that require interacting with librarians.” 2

“miss opportunities that college education provides for exploration, discovery, and deep learning.” 2

1. A. Head and M. Eisenberg, "Lessons Learned: How College Students Seek Information in the Digital Age," Project Information Literacy Progress Report, Information School, Univ. of Washington, Dec 1, 2009.

2. Sharon A. Weiner, “Information Literacy: A Neglected Core Competency,” EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 33(1), 2010.

A Greater Cause?

“the key to a democratic society is the ability of the population to access and handle information effectively and efficiently.” - William Badke

From: Badke, W. (2010). Foundations of Information Literacy: Learning From Paul Zurkowski. Online, 34(1), 48-50. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

1. What information skills should a successful student (and citizen) possess?

2. Are students given enough opportunities (and motivation) to acquire these skills?

Thoughts?

Information Interaction

• In any form

• Independent of platform / tool

Requires:– Context & content evaluation– Information ethics – Critical thinking & problem

solving

1. WHEN: recognize need

2. WHAT: analyze need3. WHERE: locate4. WHY: evaluate / filter5. HOW: use effectively

& ethically

5 Basic Information Skills

@ Empire State College

GEAR: Basic Communication

“Approaches” = Sources may be presented without careful analysis, and it may be inadequately documented

Data source: Empire State College Fact Book, Eighth Edition 2008-09, p. 96

Core Competencies

Data source: Empire State College Fact Book, Eighth Edition 2008-09, p. 96

GEAR: Information Management:

GEAR: Historical Studies

Historical Studies Research Skills Competencies, 2006-2007

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

Proper use ofsources

Conductingresearch

Diversity ofmaterials

Does Not Meet or isApproaching

Meets or Exceeds

Data source: Empire State College Fact Book, Sixth Edition 2006-07, p. 116

Obstacles• 18,000+ students : 3 FT librarians

• +270% reference volume last 5 years

• Teaching information skills = time & effort

Faculty Role?

"Professional literature indicates that, when facultymembers place value and emphasis on the library,so will their students...from the teaching methodsfaculty use, to their choice of class activities andassignments, as well as their own personal use ofthe library”

Cahoy, Ellysa Stern, and Lesley Mutinta Moyo. "Faculty Perspectives on E-Learners' Library Research Needs." Journal of Library & Information Services in Distance Learning 2.4 (2007): 1-17.

Library Services

• Workshops

• Reference Philosophy

• Tutorials

• Subject Guides

• Course Development Consults• Online Office Hours (coming)

• Embeddable Library “Nuggets” (coming)

Collaborate?

• Scalable, reusable

• Assignment-integrated

• Real world-based

• Assignment design

• Embedded librarians

• Other ideas?

Contact Me to Talk More

Dana LongleyManager of Library Services

dana.longley@esc.edu

Ext. 2479

Resources: tinyurl.com/allcollege2010