Align CofC Libraries’ Information Literacy Instruction with ACRL Framework for Information Literacy and curricular Program-level Competencies.
In an effort to move beyond traditional “one shot” bibliographic instruction sessions and to be more fully integrated into the college curriculum, academic librarians need to develop information literacy instruction that aligns with program-level competencies and information literacy threshold concepts as outlined in the ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy. At present, through first year programs including ENGL 110 and FYE, the Research and Instruction Services Department has aligned programmatic student learning outcomes with two competencies: Authority Is Constructed and Contextual and Scholarship as Conversation. The goal for Outcome 2 is to develop a plan that will seek to align the remaining information literacy competencies with the General Education curriculum.
Measure 1: Identify best practices for integrating information literacy instruction with general education curriculum.
Performance Target: Submit report detailing findings by December 20, 2017.
Measure 2: Assess ways that information literacy can integrate into the College of Charleston General Education curriculum needs.
Performance Target: Present a draft plan by June 1, 2018.
Strategies: Conduct a literature review on current scholarship focused on incorporating ACRL framework into programmatic instruction. Hold formal and informal conversations with General Education teaching faculty and program leaders to explore ways to incorporate information literacy competencies that align with program-level competencies.
Measure 1: A thorough literature review on how to best integrate information literacy instruction into the general education curriculum was completed. This literature review was followed by a discussion with the Assistant Provost Lynn Cherry, who suggested that principles and best practices that emerged from may be more fruitfully applied to specific, targeted programs and majors, particularly those that include a strong research component.
Measure 2: Department chairs for the Political Science and Human Health & Performance have been contacted. These majors were chosen due to the fact that they require a research methods course and all three consistently utilize library instruction services. In addition, due to library liaison duties, the authors have established relationships with the chairs. Meetings are planned for late summer to discuss feasibility, fit, and assessment measures.
Target met for measure 1? Yes, a literature review and report were completed and submitted. While the literature review focused on General Education, the methods and practices described will be applicable to more discipline specific approach to information literacy instruction.
Did results for measure 1 demonstrate improvement from previous assessments? N/A -- because this is a new measure, there are no previous assessments with which to compare.
Target met for measure 2? No. Assessment measures will be put into place following pilots.
Did results for measure 2 demonstrate improvement from previous assessments? Baseline will be established in upcoming year.
After a discussion with Assistant Provost Lynn Cherry, it was determined that the best strategy may be to explore integrating information literacy into the curriculum of specific college programs that have a focus on research. To that end, Brandon and Burton have contacted department chairs of selected College schools (Political Science and Human Health and Performance) to gauge willingness to participate in a pilot program.
At the start of this project, it was thought that aligning CofC Libraries’ Information Literacy Instruction with ACRL Framework for Information Literacy and curricular Program-level Competencies would be best accomplished through an integration with General Education Curriculum. A thorough literature review was conducted with this strategy in mind and a report on this review can be found here: 2017 Annual Goal: Scheduled Instruction - Interim Report. However, after further strategizing and discussion with College and library leadership, it was determined a more effective route would be to integrate with the certain curriculum programs that have a heavy research component. While the General Education curriculum has some research related courses, other programs at the college have heavier focuses on research and it will hypothetically be easier to track student’s progress through these programs.
Good progress has been made to lay groundwork for completing this goal with the revised strategy. Wes Dudgeon, the Department Chair for Human Health and Performance, as well as Claire Curtis, interim Department Chair for Political Science to gauge interest in working with librarians to integrate an information literacy program into the curriculum for the Public Health and/or Exercise Science and Political Science programs. All of these programs have required, core, and optional courses that focus on research methods that would dovetail with the information literacy framework and provide avenues for librarians to reach 2nd and 3rd year students.
