Square Pegs Into Round Holes: The Quest to Teach Credit-Based Information Literacy Courses

HBCU Library Alliance Leadership Institute

Presenter:Mr. Carl Leak, Associate Director of Teaching & Learning

Project Outline

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Part 1: BackgroundPart 2: Preaching to the Choir, Working in Isolated Spaces.Part 3: Rude AwakeningPart 4: Learning Our Place, Changing Behavior

What Do You Mean, Information Literacy?

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Short Definition: The ability to know when information is needed, how to access information and use information ethically and legally.

Why Teach Information Literacy for Credit?

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• Lack of connection with students• Lack of connection with the faculty• Faculty unsatisfied with student products• Faculty overwhelmed by course load (university budget)• Pressure to show impact of library services on student learning• Revising of General Education curriculum

General Education Revision

▪ Academic Standards voted to restructure the General Education Learning Outcomes

▪ Seven learning outcomes were createdCritical Thinking, Critical Reading,

Written Communication, Oral Communication, Scientific Literacy, Quantitative Literacy, Information Literacy

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Library’s Role in General Education Revision (Implementation)

▪ Librarians received permission to share activities with faculty that addressed new General Education outcomes

▪ Fast forward 2011, 2012: Academic Affairs unhappy with developed courses

▪ Librarians embark on a new adventure 6

Preaching to the Choir, Working in Isolated Spaces

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•Do we need faculty status?•How do you develop a course?•What should be the course content?•How do you submit a course?• To whom do you submit a course?•Who else does this?

Rude Awakening

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• Course not accepted, librarians want to know why

• Meeting with Associate Provost for Assessment, Research and Curriculum Dr. Carolynn Berry.

Rude Awakening

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• Course could not be included in any major or department.

• Librarians not qualified to teach (no PhD)• Librarians should be partners, assisting faculty with

rubrics/assignments

Learning Our Place, Changing Behavior

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• Library Statistics – (example of telling a more complete story)

• Librarian Involvement on Campus• Librarian/Faculty Partnership• Meeting with Associate Provost for Assessment,

Research and Curriculum Dr. Carolynn Berry (2nd meeting)

• Gaining Ground

Conclusion

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• Lessons Learned• Questions/Feedback