Information Literacy Best Practices in Undergraduate Education

An ACRL/TLT Group Online Workshop
December 2, 9, and 11 at 1pm Eastern

Seminar Leaders: Susan Ariew, and Ilene Frank, University of South Florida

Workshop Description:                                                                        

For the past several years, seminar leaders Ariew and Frank, along with members of the ACRL's Institute for Information Literacy's Best Practices Project Team, have been working with colleagues in the field on criteria for developing, assessing, and improving information literacy programs in undergraduate education; and identifying categories and case studies of best practices in undergraduate information literacy programs. 

This workshop, co-sponsored by ACRL and the TLT Group, will introduce a variety of related resources and ACRL Best Practices, discuss current  trends and challenges connected with information literacy, identify  key elements of model programs, invite feedback and discussion, and engage participants in activities to help them reflect on their own teaching practices, as well as advance the work of their own Information Literacy Programs. The seminar has both synchronous and asynchronous components.   

Collaboration involving librarians, faculty, and others emerged as characteristic of many successful Information Literacy programs. Consequently, while some of the activities and resources developed for this workshop will be focused on the needs and capabilities of librarians, others will be directed at interdepartmental teams that also include faculty, technology professionals, administrators, professional development experts, and others.    

Participants will reflect, discuss, plan, and begin to apply what they've learned to their programs at their own institutions.  They will  

· Discuss and identify ways librarians can transform Bibliographic instruction into Information Literacy

· Define the teaching library and contrast it with the traditional library. 

· Identify the challenges of teaching information literacy through one-shot library instruction sessions. 

· Pose solutions to some of the challenges related to teaching information literacy in library settings. 

· Identify new roles for librarians (blended and embedded librarians)

· Outline the debate about the effectiveness of one-shot instruction sessions versus credit information literacy classes.  

· Define networking, cooperation, and collaboration as it pertains to information literacy/library instruction and identify ways teaching librarians can move from cooperation to collaboration.  

· Understand the characteristics of IL programs that illustrate best practices and then ask participants to reflect on their own successes and where they may be able to start improving their programs. 

· Offer a self-assessment tool based on ACRL best practices to improve an IL program at your own institution. 

For more information literacy resources, visit ACRL's Information Literacy Web site.  

All of the TLT Group’s online offerings include use of “low threshold” tools, examination of controversial issues, options for participants with a range of experience, and suggestions for assessment as you integrate what you’ve learned into your repertoire.   For information about how TLT events are different from most others you've attended, click here.