Information Literacy Resources for Faculty

ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

• Authority Is Constructed and Contextual
• Information Creation as a Process
• Information Has Value
• Research as Inquiry
• Scholarship as Conversation
• Searching as Strategic Exploration

For Faculty: How to Use the Framework

Integrating Information Literacy Objectives into Assignments & Courses

This guide is intended to provide best practices, tips, and resources to help faculty integrate more intentional information literacy objectives into new or existing assignments and courses. 

Information Literacy Defined
Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.“ (ALA, 1989)

Information Literacy Redefined
"Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning." (ALA, 2016)

These are just a few of the ways to help make integration of information literacy objectives into assignments purposeful and successful. Want to add more or talk about any of these further? Contact me.

• Make sure the information needed and best suited for the task matches the requirements of the assignment.
• Don't artificially restrict sources by format (eg. print) or type unless there is a good reason to meet an objective.
• Allow students more autonomy in identifying and evaluating the sources they use--with support and guidance. 
• Scaffold larger research assignments into smaller, low stakes assignments that help students learn the research process, gain confidence in their skills, and create more successful final products. 
• Try out the assignment parameters yourself to make sure it's doable--with different topics if students have a choice. 
• Contact a librarian to collaborate on creating or modifying a research assignment.