LIS 5503 - Information and Literacy Instruction

While this course encompasses various significant objectives, its overarching goal is to gain information literacy skills and stay abreast of contemporary trends in information literacy instruction. The culmination of this course is a comprehensive information literacy session, allowing us the flexibility to choose any topic. My chosen topic revolves around delivering an information literacy session tailored for students enrolled in a freshman composition class, equipping them with the necessary abilities to proficiently search for and cite sources. The assignment presented below outlines the goals and objectives that I aim to achieve with the intended audience by the conclusion of my one-shot information literacy session (Personal Goal 2.3) (ALA Competency 1 - Foundations of the Profession).

Analysis

While this may not seem like a huge assignment, drawing from my background in elementary education, I understand the huge importance of crafting clear and attainable learning objectives and goals for all people involved in the learning process (OU SLO 1 - Core Knowledge)(ALA Competency 1 - Foundation of the Profession). As the session instructor, these goals serve as the cornerstone of the session, driving the instruction and serving as the checklist for its success. They also furnish a structured framework to help me maintain focus throughout the session. From a student perspective, having access to the session's objectives and goals, which I believe is highly beneficial from research I have conducted, offers a glimpse into what to expect from the session (Personal Goal 2.3). This transparency can potentially shift students' mindsets, encouraging active participation as they have a clear understanding of the desired outcomes. When students become active participants early on in a learning environment they are more likely to become lifelong learners (ALA Competency 7 - Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning).

Reflection

As previously mentioned, during the majority of my undergraduate career, I pursued a degree in elementary education. This background provided me with a solid foundation in constructing effective learning goals and objectives, for which I am extremely grateful. Because I intend to pursue a career primarily in academic libraries, possibly exclusively, I recognize that it will likely involve delivering information literacy instruction sessions. I am committed and hopeful that I will be able to utilize the knowledge acquired in this course and previous ones to develop lesson plans, goals, and objectives tailored to the specific needs of my students at any given time.