LS 111: Library Information Literacy for E-Learners

Course Outline

Topics and Objectives by Weekly Unit

Week 1: Start Exploring

  • Become familiar with the course content, Blackboard site, and Egan Library website

  • Brainstorm research topics

  • Introduce yourself and learn about your classmates

Week 2: The Research Process & Topic Development

  • Examine the research process

  • Use a concept map and questions to focus a research topic

  • Read a citation and use citation tools

Week 3: The Language of Search & Search Strategies

  • Break down a topic into keywords and related terms

  • Identify and use subject headings and Boolean operators in search

  • Use OneSearch to find sources on your research topic

Week 4: Popular Sources & Evaluation Strategies

  • Distinguish between popular and academic sources & primary and secondary sources

  • Use databases to find popular sources on a topic

  • Evaluate a popular source using the 5Ws framework

Week 5: Academic Sources & The Scholarly Conversation

  • Explore the idea that scholarship is like a conversation

  • Define peer review

  • Identify the parts of a research article and the best way to read a research article

  • Use subject databases and Google Scholar to find scholarly articles

Week 6: Exploring the World Wide Web & Hot Topics in Information Literacy

  • Examine bias in web searching

  • Explore other current issues in information literacy related to the Internet

  • Use advanced web search strategies to find text-based information and multimedia

  • Evaluate a web resource

Week 7: Fact Checking & Avoiding Mis/Disinformation

  • Explore and use SIFT fact checking strategies

  • Create final bibliography

Week 8: Creative Rights and Responsibilities

  • Understand your rights and responsibilities as a creator and user of information

  • Complete research process reflection

Week 9: Resources for Lifelong Learning & Course Wrap-up

  • Review research resources for lifelong learning

  • Complete post-assessment

Course Projects

LS 111 has two culminating projects. Your weekly classwork will guide you through the steps to complete these.

Bibliography of Sources on Your Selected Research Topic:

  • Choose a broad topic that interests you & focus it into a research topic

  • Use course activities to find a variety of credible sources on your topic

  • Select the ten best sources and compile them into a bibliography (there are a few source requirements)

Research Reflection:

  • Reflect on your research process over the course of the class in a short (1-2 page) paper

  • Questions are provided to guide you through your reflection