CILASS and Information Literacy

Centre for Inquiry-based Learning in the Arts and Social Sciences www.shef.ac.uk/cilass Pamela McKinney [email_address]

How does CILASS work?
£4.5M, initially funded by HEFCE + £350K additional capital funding
Strategic departmental curriculum development projects with capital funding
Individual curriculum development projects
Creation of innovative learning spaces: collaboratories

What is Inquiry-based Learning?
Approaches to learning that are based on a process of self-directed inquiry or research
IBL approaches include case-study and problem-based learning
IBL can be used as the design principle for whole modules or programmes, teaching strategies will be designed to support the inquiry process.
IBL could be incorporated into a traditional curriculum
The stimulus for an inquiry could, be an intriguing fieldwork problem, a complex `real-life´ case-study, or an interesting research question
inquiry is an active, self-directed, questioning and critical approach to developing knowledge

Information literacy and IBL
Information literacy is a key theme of CILASS
Information literacy skills equip students with the means to conduct independent inquiry and puts them on the path to lifelong learning
The development of strong information literacy capabilities is fundamental to the success of IBL

LTA Strategy: key to embedding
IBL
carry out extended independent enquiry, formulating relevant questions and engaging critically with a wide range of evidence;
IL
demonstrate the core capabilities and skills of information literacy, interacting confidently with the nature and structure of information in their subject and handling information in a professional and ethical manner;

Technology rich Collaboratories
in the Information Commons
Interactive whiteboards
Access grid videoconferencing
Mobile technologies e.g. laptops and scanners
Personal response systems
In Bartolom é House
Large plasma screens
Mobile technologies

Collaboratories

Learning Development and Research Associate: Information Literacy
Raise awareness of information literacy with CILASS project leaders
Support project leaders by conducting research on their behalf into IL issues relevant to their projects.
Contribute to the development of learning materials in relation to IBL and IL
Contribute to the dissemination objectives of CILASS in relation to IL.
Contribute to the CILASS evaluation strategy

SCONUL model of Information Literacy: Seven Pillars of IL

Information Literacy Network
Partnership between CILASS, Library and DIS
Chaired by Prof. Sheila Corrall, DIS
Electronic community
Programme of events
IL Resources, including online resource list
Workshops for CILASS (and other) departments developing LTA strategies
Learning Through Enquiry Alliance conference: workshop on IL and IBL

Information Literacy Audit
Review of current approaches to IL skills development in Department of Information Studies
Interviews with all module leaders
Map their practice onto the “seven pillars” model
Identify areas in programmes where IL skills development should be enhanced
Complicated by IL as a subject
Scalable to other departments

Embedding IL in the curriculum
Some projects have an information literacy theme and proposals already identify ways this can be addressed e.g.
Use of the Library’s information skills tutorials
Extra support for literature searching
Additional tutorials to teach information literacy in the context of specific assignments

Embedding IL in the curriculum
Other project leaders have not even thought about IL!
Introduce them to the concept and to how IL and IBL interact
Promote Library’s information skills tutorial
Develop their approach to resources
Suggest techniques to build IL skills through IBL

“ Good” IL Projects: Philosophy
Compulsory completion of “Guide to the Library catalogue” and “Effective searching on the Internet”
Students to attend one hour “Advanced Google skills” seminar
LDRA associate to train the trainers
Use annotated bibliographies
Will be seeking to adapt Information skills resource for Philosophy

Projects that needed IL development: Archaeology
Need to define IL and say why it is a ‘good thing’
Overcome resistance to WebCT and introduce Library’s tutorials
Interacting with information in structured sessions (IBL and IL together!)
Reflection on search process through annotated bibliographies

Dissemination
Talk to project leaders about what others have done
IL Network events
IBL toolkit: Process support for building IL skills and competencies in students
CILASS events
LILAC 2006
“ Recognising the need” conference
Links with HE Academy ICS subject centre

CILASS and Information Literacy

by cilass.slideshare on Jan 14, 2009

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