Information Literacy in Information Literacy in Academic EnvironmentsAcademic Environments

June 1, 2005June 1, 2005

AMICAL Meeting No. 2AMICAL Meeting No. 2June 1-3, 2005June 1-3, 2005

Delivered by Samira Rafidi Meghdessian Delivered by Samira Rafidi Meghdessian Information Services Librarian Information Services Librarian

American University of BeirutAmerican University of Beirut

Information Literacy DefinedInformation Literacy Defined

Information Literacy is the group of instructional Information Literacy is the group of instructional activities that seek to teach and to develop activities that seek to teach and to develop information skills in students, at the time of need, information skills in students, at the time of need, within a course and customized to the research within a course and customized to the research requirements of the course.requirements of the course.

Debates exist over uniform definitions. However, Debates exist over uniform definitions. However, the standards, levels and outcomes are more or the standards, levels and outcomes are more or less known.less known.

Information Literacy StandardsInformation Literacy Standards The Information Literate student The Information Literate student

Determines the nature and extent of the information neededDetermines the nature and extent of the information needed

Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently

Evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates Evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his knowledge base and valueselected information into his knowledge base and value

Uses the information effectively to accomplish a specific purposeUses the information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

Understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues Understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally information ethically and legally

Adapted from the ACRL - ” Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education”Adapted from the ACRL - ” Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education”

Levels of Information LiteracyLevels of Information Literacy

Entry level - UndergraduatesEntry level - Undergraduates

Mid level - Major disciplinesMid level - Major disciplines

High level - GraduatesHigh level - Graduates

Advanced level - Faculty Research Advanced level - Faculty Research

Challenges facing Information LiteracyChallenges facing Information Literacy

““Because Libraries are too often regarded as a Because Libraries are too often regarded as a mere service and not as an essential part of mere service and not as an essential part of research institutions, librarians tend to remain research institutions, librarians tend to remain segregated from the research community in a segregated from the research community in a fundamental way. There lies the main obstacle fundamental way. There lies the main obstacle preventing the libraries from playing an preventing the libraries from playing an important role in redefining the political economy important role in redefining the political economy of knowledge.” of knowledge.”

Bridges, Karl. Bridges, Karl. Expectations of Librarians in the 21st Expectations of Librarians in the 21st CenturyCentury. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2003.. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2003.

Challenges (Cont’d)Challenges (Cont’d)

Credibility and Qualifications Credibility and Qualifications Collaboration with FacultyCollaboration with FacultyIndependent information seekerIndependent information seekerIntegration within courses Integration within courses Integration with IT and course Integration with IT and course management softwaremanagement softwareAssessment and EvaluationAssessment and EvaluationFuture Outlook Future Outlook

CredibilityCredibility

Instruction Experience Instruction Experience Reference Experience Reference Experience Computer SkillsComputer Skills Conceptual & Big Picture ThinkingConceptual & Big Picture Thinking Marketing abilities Marketing abilities Dynamism and flexibility Dynamism and flexibility

Collaboration with Faculty Collaboration with Faculty

Marketing (Department or Individual?)Marketing (Department or Individual?)

Faculty Perceptions of role of the libraries Faculty Perceptions of role of the libraries

Syllabus content Syllabus content

Research ActivitiesResearch Activities

Follow up Follow up

Integration within CoursesIntegration within Courses

Prior communication with Faculty Prior communication with Faculty

Research project in contextResearch project in context

Session targeted to course needs Session targeted to course needs

How much information should be How much information should be delivered?delivered?

Is one session enough?Is one session enough?

Follow up with studentsFollow up with students

Integration with IT and course Integration with IT and course management softwaremanagement software

Work closely with Technology Services to Work closely with Technology Services to keep up with new emerging technologies keep up with new emerging technologies

Work closely with Academic Computing to Work closely with Academic Computing to assure integration of Libraries’ sources assure integration of Libraries’ sources within courses within courses

Develop an electronic classroom to Develop an electronic classroom to provide context for the implementation of provide context for the implementation of Information Literacy Information Literacy

Assessment and EvaluationAssessment and Evaluation

Devising methods for evaluation (surveys, Devising methods for evaluation (surveys, software, tools)software, tools)

Collecting of DataCollecting of Data

Interpreting and analysis of DataInterpreting and analysis of Data

Selecting most suitable assessment Selecting most suitable assessment methodmethod

Future OutlookFuture Outlook

Students will become more adept at Students will become more adept at information seeking information seeking More research-oriented information will More research-oriented information will become available freely become available freely New one -stop -shop technologies will New one -stop -shop technologies will provide quicker and easier access to provide quicker and easier access to informationinformationWhere do librarians and commercial Where do librarians and commercial information providers stand?information providers stand?