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Apply for the IU Southeast Library Information Literacy Partners Program!

The challenge: A culture of misinformation

We live in a world where misinformation is rampant, where copying and pasting anything into a research paper has never been easier, where conventional methods of communicating information authoritatively have come into question. In a constantly changing information ecosystem, how do we support students in learning how to identify, use, access, and evaluate appropriate information sources ethically for their academic research and beyond? Enhancing the integration of information literacy throughout the curriculum is one way of addressing this challenge.

What is information literacy?

Information literacy “is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning” (Association of College and Research Libraries, 2016).

A General Education student learning outcome, there are currently three courses approved as meeting the information literacy requirement. The Gen Ed outcomes are defined as follows:

1. Use appropriate tools and technologies to identify, access, evaluate, and use information effectively.

2. Use information responsibly, in accordance with legal and ethical principles.

The program:

The IU Southeast Library Information Literacy Partners program seeks faculty members who wish to redesign an undergraduate or graduate course to better facilitate the integration of information literacy in order to improve student learning. In addition, we hope that the program will help increase the number of courses that are eligible for approval as General Education courses for information literacy. This will provide more options for our students to complete their General Education requirements, as well as reduce barriers for transfer students.

Participants in this program will be able to:

• Define information literacy in their specific disciplinary context

• Identify how information literacy skills can improve student learning in a specific course

• Develop information literacy instructional materials (e.g., course content, classroom activities, assignments, assessment tools, and syllabus) for their course

• Collaborate with and get feedback from a cohort of instructors in developing this new content

There will be five (5) in-person and/or Zoom meetings (2/3, 2/24, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28, from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm) during the Spring 2023 semester to discuss information literacy pedagogical concepts and strategies, examine models of how information literacy can be used to enhance course content, and provide constructive feedback on instructional materials. A Canvas and/or Teams site will facilitate conversations and sharing documents between synchronous meetings. At the end of the program, Information Literacy Partners will have produced a portfolio of instructional materials ready to be implemented in the fall 2023 semester.

Information Literacy Partners who attend all sessions, produce a final portfolio, and submit a syllabus that integrates information literacy into their course design will receive a $1,000 stipend. We currently have funding available for 4 to 5 Partners.

The Information Literacy Partners program will be facilitated by Maria Accardi, Librarian, Coordinator of Instruction and Assessment. With an MA in English, an MLIS, and almost two decades of experience working in a teaching capacity in higher education, Maria has expertise in pedagogy, assignment design, curriculum development, and the shared goals of information literacy and multiple disciplines.

How to apply:

Contact Maria Accardi maccardi@ius.edu with the following information:

• a brief explanation of how participating in the program will benefit you, your teaching, your students,

• what course you would like to redesign to incorporate information literacy; or, if this is a new course, provide a course description

• the approximate number of students enrolled (if existing course)

• whether the course is an elective, required for major, or part of the general education curriculum

Instructors who teach entering-the-major courses, introduction to careers courses, research methods courses, sophomore seminars, senior seminars, capstone courses, or general education courses are especially encouraged to apply for the Information Literacy Partners program.

Application deadline is Friday, November 18, 2022.