Teach Information Literacy & Critical Thinking!
Q. Innovative Technology to Support Pedagogy
What is new technology? In education, chalk and slate were once considered radical new technology. Today, the list of new technologies and their uses change almost daily. For additional discussion on this topic and examples of how to use a variety of technologies for ILI, see Chapter 15, "Using Technology to Support Pedagogy," in: Grassian, Esther S. and Kaplowitz, Joan R. 2009. Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice. 2d edition. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
Note: See also the Google Search Options subpage.
Joyce Valenza's Tools
Joyce Valenza's "Research Guide" (February 2015) links to many more innovative tools that may be used or adapted for information literacy instruction at various levels and different audiences, including: thesis generators (in the Thesis Development tab), mind-mapping tools (in the Organizing/Synthesizing/Notetaking), digital storytelling tools and digital publishing tools (in the Communicating tab), and copyright friendly/Creative Commons Licensed Media (in the Copyright Friendly/Creative Commons/Fair Use tab).
Her New Tools guide provides links to a great number of useful tools, including image tools, video tools, digital storytelling, game generators, and an Apps for iPads, iPhones & Mobile Devices tab with links to many ideas for using them in teaching and learning.
Visualization Tools in Teaching
Some technology tools can help students visualize data and develop products that support their research.
21 Essential Data Visualization Tools, by Piotr Kuzniewicz (May 2015)
Blended Instruction
Although a bit dated, the following items may be useful in considering use of "blended instruction" (part online and part in-person):
Grassian, Esther, et al. 2005. UCLA Information Literacy Program. Blended Instruction Course (BICo) Task Force Report.
Twigg, Carol A. 2003. "Improving Learning and Reducing Costs: New Models for Online Learning." Educause Review 43, no.1. [pdf]
More Technology Tools in Teaching
Free Technology for Teachers, by Richard Byrne.
24 Sites to Find Certificates, Awards and Coupons, by Julie Greller (2012)
"QR Codes Rock the Library On Your Phone," by Meredith Farkas (slide show)
Check the comprehensive "Learning Objects" guide created by Lori Mestre (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library), with categorized links, including Quiz/Survey, Games, and Mashups and Miscellanea.
The tools below may also help learners achieve expected learning outcomes.
Create free interactive polling for use on mobile devices or computers.
Create audience response polls/surveys - free site.
Create a variety of puzzles - free site
Screencast-O-Matic (SOM)
Free, easy to use screen and audio video recordings, up to 15 minutes.
Allows text and video annotation of videos.
Google Search Options
CAVEAT: All research tools have limitations, including licensed databases and free online tools like those illustrated below. Peter Jacso describes some of these problems in his November 1, 2009 Library Journal article, "Google Scholar's Ghost Authors."
For instance, he suggests doing a Google Scholar Advanced search by entering "login" in the Written By box. Asking students to do this kind of search can lead to a fruitful critical thinking discussion.
MORE GOOGLE SEARCH OPTIONS:
Google Search Webinars archive, including topics like "predictive searching."
Joyce Valenza's Google Search options image: Please wait for a display to appear below--a large image of many different Google search options. To go to one of these options, hold the cursor over it until a red circle appears around it. Then click on it to open it in a separate web page--e.g.,Google Books, Google Scholar, Google Fast Flip (to display images of new stories).