Supporting Information Literacy at Cardiff University

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Supporting Information Literacy at Cardiff
University

• Cathie Jackson
• Senior Consultant Information Literacy

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Developing an IL Policy

• 2001 IL Policy developed by the Information
  Services Learning Training Group
• Submitted to University Teaching Learning
  Committee and Senate in May/June 2001
• 2001 / 02 session - Law Library staff pioneered
  implementation http//eprints.cf.ac.uk/31
• 2002/2004 Progress with implementation
• UWCM No formal IL policy but moving in the same
  direction

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Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy
2004/5-2007/8 Implementation Plan
Objective 10 To ensure that all our graduates
are of the highest quality, sought after by
employers and equipped with the necessary
knowledge, understanding and skills to enable
them to make an effective contribution to
society Action
To ensure information literacy skills are
embedded within taught programmes of study
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Information literacy is a set of abilities
requiring individuals to "recognise when
information is needed and have the ability to
locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed
information."  American Library Association.
(1989) Presidential Committee on Information
Literacy Final Report
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• The information literate student
• 1. determines the nature and extent of the
  information needed.
• 2. accesses needed information effectively and
  efficiently.
• 3. evaluates information and its sources
  critically and incorporates selected information
  into his/her knowledge base and value system.
• individually, or as a member of a group, uses
  information effectively to accomplish a
• specific purpose.
• 5. understands many of the economic, legal and
  social issues and accesses and uses
  information ethically and legally.

Association of College and Research Libraries
(2000) Information Literacy Competency Standards
for Higher Education.
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Information Literacy at Cardiff University

• Post of Senior Consultant IL (Aug 2004)
• Information Literacy Group (Nov 2004)
• Coherent approach to IL delivery needed
• Ensure quality
• Supportive role
• Membership from across Division

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IL Group Remit

• To develop / support implementation of an IL
  action plan aligned with University priorities
• Devise, prioritise and carry out developmental
  projects in IL
• Maintain watching brief on external IL
  developments

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2004/5

• Equipping information specialists
• Sharing good practice sessions
• Training the Trainer programme
• Sharon Markless
• Learning about Learning Theory
• Handbook for Information Literacy Teaching

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2004/5

• Equipping information specialists
• Information Literacy Resource Bank
  ilrb.cardiff.ac.uk
• Audit of IL provision

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2005/6

• INSRV Information Literacy Strategy
• Supporting information specialists
• Staff development
• Repository of IL materials
• Out-Googling Google
• Links with local partners
• Repeat of audit to measure the IL PI

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2005/6

• Library staff provided 61 of taught course
  students with in-depth information literacy
  training
• For 39 of students, information literacy
  training was fully integrated into a module or
  course of study

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2006/7

• IL guidance note update
• Peer Review of Learning and Teaching
• Further staff development
• Repeat of the audit to measure IL PI

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2006/7

• Library staff provided 67 of taught course
  students with in-depth information literacy
  training
• For 48 of students, information literacy
  training was fully integrated into a module or
  course of study

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2007/8

• Consistency in Bibliographic Referencing
• Podcasts
• Spreading the message learning from focus groups
• IL in the University Staff Development Programme

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(No Transcript)
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Student Survival Guide to Writing a Good Essay

• Six short weekly episodes on
• What makes a good essay?
• Quality control information to use and avoid
• Going beyond the reading list finding good web
  sites
• Going beyond the reading list discovering books
  and journals
• Getting your references in order
• Meeting the deadline
• Listen online or download at

www.xpressradio.co.uk/survivalguide
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2007/8

• Consistency in Bibliographic Referencing
• Podcasts
• Spreading the message learning from focus groups
• IL in the University Staff Development Programme

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Continuing challenge

• Creation of an information literate University
• all students on all courses
• all teachers and researchers
• all support staff in Schools and Directorates
• Supporting the Modern Working Environment
• University strategy moves on
• Spreading the message

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See http//www.cf.ac.uk/insrv/educationandtrainin
g/infolit/for links to

• INSRV Information Literacy Strategy
• University Guidance Note
• Case studies
• Information Literacy Resource Bank
• Handbook for IL Teaching