This document discusses embedding information literacy into a new critical skills curriculum at Maynooth University. It outlines how information literacy was integrated across the curriculum through modules focused on problem solving, independent learning, critical thinking, and communication skills. Information literacy is now at the center of critical skills modules in the first semester, including assessing sources and writing skills. The second semester includes assignments applying critical skills and identifying which information literacy frames were demonstrated. By embedding information literacy throughout contextual exercises, it has led the university to review how information literacy is delivered and opened possibilities for other parts of the curriculum.

1. Embedding Information Literacy through critical
skills and a new curriculum
“LILAC Annual Conference,
Swansea University, April 10-12, 2017
Lorna Dodd
Senior Librarian, Maynooth University, lorna.dodd@nuim.ie, Tel: 01 708 6447, @LornaDodd

2. A new curriculum with a key focus on
critical skills

3. Information
Literacy
Problem Solving
Independent
Learning
Critical Thinking
Analysis
Reflection
Communication
Skills
Understand
academic
standards
Ethical
Responsibility
Critical Skills in the new Curriculum

4. Maynooth University
Graduate Attributes
“…graduates are expected to
be… capable of gathering and
critiquing information from a
variety of sources”
(Maynooth University, 2014)

5. Deep
Knowledge &
Critical
intellectual
skills
Autonomous
and
responsible
learners
Breadth of
perspective
Skills for life
and work
A Maynooth Education

6. Content Vs Skills

7. An opportunity for the Library
to be heard….

8. • Mapping &
evaluating the
information
landscape
• Managing &
presenting
information
• Managing the
transition
• Understanding ethical
& social dimensions
of information
• Researching within
the disciplines
Deep
Knowledge &
Critical
intellectual
skills
Autonomous
and
responsible
learners
Breadth of
perspective
Skills for life
and work
Information Literacy Framework for
‘A Maynooth Education’

9. Designing the curriculum through collaboration

10. Weeks 1-2: “learning to learn” includes basics of library
Weeks 3-4: “information literacy” assessing, finding
sources and lots of other things
Weeks 5-8: “essay writing” small Wikipedia assignment
embedded
Week 9: “introduction to quantitative thinking” (basic
excel, correlation, etc)
Week 10 to 12: “public speaking”
Semester 1

11. Information Literacy has become the centre of the critical
skills modules

12. Semester 2
White Paper Assignment
-Integrating discipline knowledge &
critical skills
-Using topics such as homelessness
drug liberalization, commuting,
cyber security, addiction
Poster Presentation
-Capstone for Critical Skills Year
-Research, contextualize &
demonstrate the practice of a
Critical Skill developed this year
-Demonstrate knowledge of a frame
and how the practices embedded in
this frame can be applied in practice

13. Before Assignment:
Review the ACRL frames with the
students
After Assignment:
Students identify which ‘Frames’
were applicable and write about
how the exercise developed
both “knowledge practices” and
“knowledge dispositions”

14. Critical Skills Tutors deliver
content and mark
assignments…….
If information Literacy is truly
embedded and in context…..
….Then so should its delivery…..
Librarians train the tutors but
don’t deliver content……..

15. Image: http://disney-sheet-music.com/let-it-go-lyrics/
If Information literacy is to be
truly embedded we need to Let it
Go!

16. “I’m trying to constantly embed and reinforce
information literacy in the exercises… [it] is found
throughout”
Dr Brian McKenzie, Critical Skills Coordinator

17. Critical Skills has had a seismic impact leading us to
….. review our approach to IL delivery
…Opening up possibilities in other parts of the
curriculum
…And revising our organisational structures

18. Carbery, A & Leahy, S (2016) "From traditional to critical; highlighting issues of injustice and discrimination through
primary sources", In Pagowsky, N & McElroy, K (Eds) Critical Pedagogy Handbooks, Vol. 2, ACRL Press
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Keleher, P et al (2011) "The Challenge of Embedding Information Literacy as a Graduate Attribute into Engineering and
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SD, USA
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Education – Implementing an Information Literacy Conceptual Framework", Australian Journal of Teacher Education
38(11) pp. 103-125
Maynooth University (2015) "A Maynooth Education"
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/assets/document/Maynooth%20Education%20Brochure_0.pdf
[Accessed May24, 2016]
Maynooth University (2014) "Maynooth University Graduate Attributes"
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/assets/document/Graduate%20Attributes%20Final%20version
_0.pdf [Accessed May24, 2016]
Weiner, J (2011) "Is there a difference between critical thinking and information literacy? A systematic review 2000-
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References