Information Literacy Program at Decker Library

This course will be taught in a synchronous format either online or in person, at the instructor's request. 

In person:

Two sessions in the Library Classroom, back to back weeks. (Preferred.)

Online:

If necessary, this class can also be taught online. Two sessions via Zoom, back to back weeks. The librarians can use the chat function for multi-modal learning.

• Zoom help: In-meeting chat: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203650445-In-meeting-chat 

Optional: The librarians can use breakout rooms for individual help/instruction.

• Enabling break out rooms: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206476093-Enabling-breakout-rooms
• Managing break out rooms: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206476313
• Pre-assigning participants to break out rooms: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360032752671

There is a worksheet and rubric, to be printed and completed by the students in groups.

There is also a set of slides that walk through the lesson plan.

This two-week library session and assignment has students work together to build brief (3-5) slide presentations on a given topic.

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to quickly evaluate information sources
• Students will work efficiently in a group dynamic
• Students will clearly present their research findings to their colleagues

Week 1: Research (45 minutes - 1 hour)

• Break into groups
• Conduct background research on one of four predetermine topics on the web
• Select a reading of 10-20 pages for the group's homework

Week 2: Presentations (1.5 hours) 

• Build a 4-6 slide presentation on their research
• As a group, present their topics to their classmates.

Assessment Process

• Collect the printed worksheet during the presentations
• Enter your initials or a check mark in the appropriate category of the rubric (e.g. "Developing")
• Return the completed assessment to the mailbox of the Information Literacy and Instructional Design Librarian

Program Learning Outcomes Associated with this Lesson Plan

• Search and Organize PLO 1: Students will be able to search for appropriate information and organize their research as needed.
• Search and Organize PLO 2: Students will be able to identify core concepts, keywords, and subject headings for discovery of relevant information.
• Evaluate and Analyze PLO 3: Students will be able to develop an effective search strategy, modify their topic and search terms when necessary, and ask for help when needed.
• Synthesize and Create PLO 6: Students will be able to synthesize and contextualize information alone and in groups.

Relevant Frame from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework

• Information Creation as a Process: Information in any format is produced to convey a message and is shared via a selected delivery method. The iterative processes of researching, creating, revising, and disseminating information vary, and the resulting product reflects these differences.
• Research as Inquiry: Research is iterative and depends upon asking increasingly complex or new questions whose answers in turn develop additional questions or lines of inquiry in any field.
• Searching as Strategic Exploration: Searching for information is often nonlinear and iterative, requiring the evaluation of a range of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue alternate avenues as new understanding develops.