Recent articles: information literacy everyday and in academia

A few articles from the latest issue of the priced publication Journal of documentation
- Martzoukou, K. and Abdi, E.S. (2017). Towards an everyday life information literacy mind-set: a review of literature. Journal of documentation, 73(4), 634 - 665. Open access version at https://openair.rgu.ac.uk/handle/10059/2105
- Walton, G. and Cleland, J. (2017). Information literacy: Empowerment or reproduction in practice? A discourse analysis approach. Journal of documentation, 73(4), 582 - 594. Open access version at http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/26272/
Koltay, T. (2017). The bright side of information: ways of mitigating information overload. Journal of documentation, 73(4), 767 - 775.
The JDoc contents page is at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/jd/73/4
Photo by Sheila Webber: hydrangea, July 2017

Presentations from #CILIPconf17 infolit in curriculum, Syrian new Scots, vaccines

The presentations from the CILIP (UK library/information association) conference in July jave been put online. There was a session devoted to information literacy, with three presentations:
- Beyond “Grey in Sepia”: Empowering the everyday life information literacy of Syrian new Scots – Dr Konstantina Martzoukou, Senior Lecturer / PG Programme Leader Information Management, Robert Gordon University
- Bookending HE: supporting transition and transformation at both ends of the curriculum – Emma Coonan, Information Skills Librarian, University of East Anglia
- The epidemic of misinformation about vaccines – Dr Pauline Paterson, Research Fellow and co-director of The Vaccine Confidence Project, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
You can find them, and presentations on a wide variety of other library and information topics, at http://cilipconference.org.uk/whats-on/programme
The embedded photo (under a Creative Commons license) is from the CILIP Flickr stream and shows me (right) and Lucy Sinclair at work on our (Information School, University of Sheffield) exhibition stand at the CILIP conference

Call: Metaliterate Learning for the Post-Truth World

There is a call for chapters (20-25 pages) for a book to be coedited by Tom Mackey and Trudi E. Jacobson: Metaliterate Learning for the Post-Truth World. It will be published by the American Library Association in Autumn 2018. They say "We would like to include both theoretical and applied chapters written by academic librarians, disciplinary faculty from a variety of fields, administrators, and instructional designers that describe and reflect upon the importance of advancing metaliteracy in a post-truth world. We see a particular urgency in editing this book at this time when truth itself is questioned for political purposes, journalism and the free press are constantly under attack, science and climate change are doubted as factual, online hacking is prevalent, online privacy is a concern, and the ability to proliferate false information through circuitous social media networks has become a serious issue. It is profoundly clear that the competencies, knowledge, and personal attributes that define metaliteracy and inform the role of the metaliterate learner are critical in today’s connected and divided world: digital literacy and traditional conceptions of information literacy are insufficient for the extreme challenges we currently face. ... Given the interest in metaliteracy as a model for preparing metaliterate learners as responsible participants in today’s divisive information environment, we are especially interested in expanding the conversation to educators who have developed successful metaliteracy teaching and learning theories and practices to resist these challenges. Overall, how do we best prepare our students for being active and engaged metaliterate learners in today’s environment? ... The book will include both theoretical arguments for metaliteracy in a post-truth world and innovative case studies that respond to these complex issues, all from different disciplinary perspectives, and academic institutions in the U.S. and internationally. The Metaliteracy Learning Objectives featured in our books http://metaliteracy.org/learning-objectives/ will be core to the chapters as well."
Send 1-2 page proposals to Tom Mackey at Tom.Mackey@esc.edu by September 29, 2017. First drafts are due on January 12, 2018. Questions to Tom.Mackey@esc.edu or tjacobson@albany.edu
Photo by Sheila Webber: Fortuna, by Helaine Blumenfeld, Canary Wharf, London, July 2017

#uklibchat 1st August: Recent LIS Student Research

On 1st August 2017 6.30pm to 8.30pm UK time (which e.g. 1.30-3.30pm US Eastern time) there will be a discussion in Twitter about Recent LIS Student Research, as part of the regular #uklibchat series. There is an opening post by Michelle Bond, one of the founders of LISDIS – the Library and Information Sciences Dissertations Conference at https://uklibchat.wordpress.com/2017/07/18/feature-post-45-recent-lis-student-research/ and the agenda is open for you to add discussion questions at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yD2p4L9XAS8qWAaYhe0-wGfUlapKXrLJhDuKTfXOL38/edit?usp=sharing
On the day you just join in by using the tag #uklibchat

Survey on teaching about trustworthy information

Esther Grassian is seeking tips and techniques for teaching and learning about trustworthy information, which she will summarise for the Information Literacy and Instruction column in a special issue of the Reference and User Services Association of the American Library Association's journal, RUSQ. She is asking people to fill in a 12-question survey: https://goo.gl/S91g4y Questions can be addressed to her at estherg@ucla.edu
Photo by Sheila Webber: Hydrangea, July 2017

Videos, slides from #Dataliteracy conference

Carrying on from my last post, there are videos, chat transcripts, slides etc. from the online Data Literacy conference held 20-21 July 2017, as part of the project, Supporting Librarians in Adding Data Literacy Skills to Information Literacy Instruction. Talks included
- Using Social Explorer to Help Students Gain Insight (Justin Joque)
- Student data privacy: Protecting the personal information that informs instruction (Jennifer Colby)
- Databasic.io: Tools & activities that help introduce newcomers to data storytelling (Catherine d’Ignazio and Samantha Viotty)
- DataRefuge (Justin Schell)
and numerous others. The links are on the schedule at http://datalit.sites.uofmhosting.net/conference/schedule/
Photo by Sheila Webber: garden, Canary Wharf, London, July 2017

#DataLiteracy resources

There is a project, Supporting Librarians in Adding Data Literacy Skills to Information Literacy Instruction, which is funded by the (US) Institute of Museum and Library Services 2015-2017, which has a number of useful resources on its website. The goal is "to develop data and statistical literacy skills so librarians can better support critical comprehension skills in their students". The co-investogators in the project are Kristin Fontichiaro and Jo Angela Oehrli (university of Michigan).
One resource is their online book, Creating Data Literate Students, with chapters authored by various people. It is aimed at librarians teaching data literacy. The 10 chapters are:
Introduction to Statistical Literacy; Statistical Storytelling: The Language of Data; Using Data in the Research Process; Real world data fluency: How to use raw data; Manipulating data in spreadsheets; Making Sense of Data Visualization; Data presentation: Showcasing your data with charts and graphs; Deconstructing data visualizations: What every teen should know; Designing your infographic: Getting to design; Using data visualizations in the content area; Teaching Data Contexts: An Instructional Lens; Diving Lessons: Taking the Data Literacy Plunge Through Action Research
The book is here: http://datalit.sites.uofmhosting.net/book/
There is also, for example this poster, Real strategies to address fake news:
http://datalit.sites.uofmhosting.net/2017/06/28/ala-poster-data-literacy-strategies-for-addressing-fake-news/
Photo by Sheila Webber: News ticker, Canary Wharf, London, July 2017

cfp Fake News and Digital Literacy

There is a call for proposals for presentations (45 minutes) or posters for a conference to be held on October 20 2017 in Tampa, Florida, USA: Fake News and Digital Literacy: The academic library’s role in shaping digital citizenship. Deadline for proposals is August 14 2017. It is organised by the Florida Chapter of ACRL (FACRL). The conference will "explore digital literacy in higher education and the library’s responsibility to lead the charge toward the creation of learners with the requisite skills to engage critically and ethically with information in an open knowledge society. As proven authorities on information literacy, librarians are well positioned to lead learners through a politically and digitally polarized environment and advocate for the development of digital citizenship."
Submit proposals at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FACRL2017. All proposals relevant to academic librarianship and digital literacy will be considered, but some specific themes are suggested:
"- Institutional initiatives showcasing librarians as leaders, teachers, and supporters of digital citizenship at their respective institutions.
- Innovative applications of the ACRL Framework and corresponding instructional strategies that help students explore and understand the concepts of digital literacy.
- Case studies highlighting libraries capitalizing on the sensationalism of fake news to convene and lead, insightful community conversations on the moral and ethical implications of digital literacy.
- Digital collection development and how using electronic library resources can promote critical thinking, improve reading skills, and help learners better understand the research process.
- Legislative advocacy initiatives involving broader campus communities to inform and inspire action supporting the principles of digital literacy, freedom of information and efforts to ensure equal access to information."
Inquiries may be sent to the FACRL Program Selection Committee Chair, Michelle Demeter at mdemeter@fsu.edu
Photo by Sheila Webber: flat white, June 2017

Media and Information Literacy in Nigeria

A two-day UNESCO train-the-trainers workshop on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) was held in Abuja, Nigeria. It focused on use of the Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for teachers. Yao Ydo, UNESCO Regional Director, Abuja, Nigeria, in his closing speech, advocated for including MIL in the school curriculum in Nigeria. According to NTA.org, Media and Information Literacy of Nigeria (MILCON) was also launched.
Sources: AFRICAMIL (19 July 2017) http://www.africmil.org/many-of-the-violent-and-destructive-conflicts-in-the-society-today-are-the-results-of-hate-speech-or-unfounded-news-unesco-regional-director/
UNESCO Inaugurates NGO For Media Information Literacy (July 19 2017) http://www.nta.ng/international/20170719-49290/
Photo by Sheila Webber: June rose

Health Literacy Skills and Partnership Event

On 16 August 2017 at Richmond Library, Greater London, UK, there is a one-day event Health Literacy Skills and Partnership Working for Public and Health Libraries. To attend (free) you need to become a member of one of the co-organiser organisationa, the Public and Mobile Libraries Group (PMLG) and Health Libraries Group (HLG). "The provision of access to health information has become a key to public libraries. This event will provide practical advice and hands-on sessions aimed at supporting health and public librarians in finding and sharing health information."
More information about this event, and how to join the groups, at https://www.cilip.org.uk/health-libraries-group/events/health-literacy-skills-partnership-working-public-health-librarians
Photo by Sheila Webber: lavender, July 2017

Crash Course in Assessing Library Instruction

A four week, online asynchronous course run by Library Juice Academy, from August 7 2017 to September 1 2017, and costing US $175 is Crash Course in Assessing Library Instruction. The teachers are Candice Benjes-Small and Eric Ackermann. "This class is intended for teaching librarians who have some classroom experience and would like to explore different assessment techniques in library sessions, such as one-shots. Using Kirkpatrick’s Levels of Evaluation as a framework, we will discuss how to identify what you want to know and how to match your assessment need to the appropriate assessment technique, and practice assessing student artifacts using a sampling of methods. For each module, we will also discuss strategies for closing the assessment loop."
For more info go to http://libraryjuiceacademy.com/145-crash-assessment.php
Photo by Sheila Webber: bee and lavender, Blackheath, July 2017

New articles: information literacy; #ACRLframework; metacognition; values; critical approaches

The latest issue of the Open access journal Communications in Information Literacy (volume 11, no. 1, 2017) is accessible at http://www.comminfolit.org/index.php?journal=cil&page=issue&op=view&path%5B%5D=21&path%5B%5D=showToc
A focus is the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy. It includes:
- Frame Works: Using Metaphor in Theory and Practice in Information Literacy by Wendy Holliday, pages 4-20
- Revisiting Metacognition and Metaliteracy in the ACRL Framework by Diane M. Fulkerson, Susan Andriette Ariew, Trudi E. Jacobson, 21-41
- Reorienting an Information Literacy Program Toward Social Justice: Mapping the Core Values of Librarianship to the ACRL Framework by Lua Gregory, Shana Higgins, 42-54
- Connecting Information Literacy and Social Justice: Why and How by Laura Saunders, 55-75
- A Kairos of the Critical: Teaching Critically in a Time of Compliance by Emily Drabinski, 76-94
- Teaching and Un-Teaching Source Evaluation: Questioning Authority in Information Literacy Instruction by Katelyn Angell, Eamon Tewell, 95-121
- In Bed with the Library: A Critical Exploration of Embedded Librarianship at the City University of New York by Nora Almeida, Julia Pollack, 122-146
- Creative Approaches to Information Literacy for Creative Arts Students by Leo Appleton, Gustavo Grandal Montero, Abigail Jones, 147-167
- Using the ACRL Framework to Develop a Student-Centered Model for Program-Level Assessment by Rachel Wilder Gammons, Lindsay Taylor Inge, 168-184
- Asking Questions in the Classroom: An Exploration of Tools and Techniques Used in the Library Instruction Classroom by Sara Maurice Whitver, Leo S. Lo, 185-203
- Guided Resource Inquiries: Integrating Archives into Course Learning and Information Literacy Objectives by Ellen E. Jarosz, Stephen Kutay, 204-220
- Embracing Challenges in Times of Change: A Survey of the Readiness of Academic Librarians in New Jersey for Transition to the ACRL Framework by Leslin H. Charles
Photo by Sheila Webber: alium heads, July 2017

Webinar: Learners as Creators: Release of the 2nd Digital Literacy Brief @NMCorg

On August 17, 2017 at 10 - 11 am US Central time (so 4pm UK time) there is a free webinar Learners as Creators: Release of the 2nd Digital Literacy Brief, hosted by the New Media Consortium, sponsored by Adobe. They are producing a briefing report. "In a discussion moderated by lead author Bryan Alexander, join the NMC for the official release of our followup NMC Horizon Project Strategic Brief focused on digital literacy. In addition to expanding upon the preliminary definitions outlined in the first report, the brief includes more global and discipline-specific information and context. The aim is for this deep exploration of frameworks and initiatives to contribute to the body of knowledge used by the higher education community to inform strategic planning around digital literacy."
Information about the event is here: http://www.nmc.org/nmc-event/learners-as-creators-release-of-the-2nd-digital-literacy-brief/
Their previous (October 2016) report on digital literacy is here: http://www.nmc.org/publication/digital-literacy-an-nmc-horizon-project-strategic-brief/
Photo by Sheila Webber: radishes, June 2017

Expert Internet Searching @Philbradley

There's a new edition of expert Phil Bradley's book on internet searching.
- Bradley, P. (2017) Expert Internet Searching. 5th edition. London: Facet Publishing. ISBN 9781783302475; Price: (UK) £59.95, CILIP members price: £47.95
"Now fully revised for its fifth edition, this book covers the basics of search before going into detail on how to run advanced and complex searches using a variety of different search engines. This edition has been updated to include current trends in search, such as social media search, fake news, and discussion of the authority and validity of search results. It will ensure that information professionals, whether complete beginners or more experienced, are able to work efficiently to obtain accurate information in a timely fashion."
Apologies, forgot to give the link when I first posted http://www.facetpublishing.co.uk/title.php?id=302475
When you "look inside" the book (a feature which now works) you get a pdf which includes an excerpt from a chapter on "news based search engines".
Photo by Sheila Webber, styled and taken in Second Life (SL is a TM of Linden Lab)

Final update on #i3rgu

A few last links to do with the i3 conference held in Aberdeen, Scotland, last month.
Conference roundups
- Nice Storify from Antony Osborne https://storify.com/osborne_antony/i3?
- Very interesting summary of personal highlights from i3 by Bruce Ryan https://bruceryan.info/2017/06/30/after-i3-conference-i3rgu/
Individual presentations (that I think I haven't already blogged)
- Clare McCluskey Dean Communities of Practice in Information Literacy in Higher Education: informative notes at https://www.slideshare.net/claremccluskey/i3-2017
- Peter Cruickshank Practices of community representatives in exploiting information channels for citizen engagement https://www.slideshare.net/spartakan/practices-of-community-representatives-in-exploiting-information-channels-for-citizen-engagement and a blog about it at https://community-knect.net/2017/07/04/practices-of-community-representatives-slides-presented-at-i3-i3rgu/
- the presentation which I made, coauthored with colleagues Professor Nigel Ford, Dr Andrew Madden and Mary Crowder: Mapping the development of critical information behaviour through school and university (a mainly quantitative study).

Mapping the development of critical information behaviour through school and university from Sheila Webber

Teachmeet Ravensbourne 3 August

When I just checked there were a few places left at the Teachmeet on the theme of Supporting Library Users on 3 August 2017 13:00 - 16:00 at Ravensbourne, UK. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/libteachmeet-in-london-tickets-34912572444?
Photo by Sheila Webber: July 2017

UK Adults' media literacy: information sharing; trust and use of social media; mobile devices

Ofcom's annual (UK) Adults' media use and attitudes report was published last month. It gives "gives detailed evidence on media use, attitudes and understanding among UK adults aged 16+. It covers TV, radio, mobile phones, games, and the internet, with a particular focus on the latter."
This is based on substantial research: "interviews with 1,846 adults aged 16 and over in November and December 2016 .... supplemented with data from another Ofcom research study, the Technology Tracker survey in 2017 based on 3743 interviews with adults aged 16 and over in January and February 2017."
The points they highlight in the introduction are:
- Older people are embracing smart and social technology (this includes 75+ age group) These findings were highlighted in a feature at https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/rise-social-seniors
- Smartphones are becoming an essential tool for navigating daily life… but some things are still more difficult on a smartphone ("there are certain activities they prefer not to do on a smartphone, such as watching TV or doing school or college work")
- Managing mobile data can be a challenge (by this is meant working out what they can do with the data allowance in their mobile phone package, conserving it by using free wifi etc.)
- People are using a broader range of social media to communicate with different groups
- Sharing with friends and family is an important route to discovering new information and content.
- There has been a slight decline in trust in social media content
- Many are thinking carefully about the trustworthiness of the content they encounter.
- People are opting to communicate via private group discussions
- The majority of internet users (72%) say that they are confident in their ability to manage access to their personal data online.
- Most internet users make some checks to judge the accuracy of factual information online.
- Tthere is a continuing gap between confidence, knowledge and behaviour in understanding how the internet works. "most internet users describe themselves as confident online (89%) ... However, this online confidence does not necessarily translate into an understanding of the way the internet operates. Although 97% of internet users have used search engines as a source of online information there is a continuing lack of understanding about how search engines work, and just under half of all adults do not know how search engines are funded (47%)."
- While the majority of internet users are confident they can recognise advertising online, only half of search engine users could recognise adverts on Google
The report (with the main parts available both in English and Welsh) together with data tables etc. is at https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/media-literacy-research/adults/adults-media-use-and-attitudes
Photo by Sheila Webber: spot the cones, Inverness, June 2017

Responsibility for #ACRLframework projects moves

As the ACRL Information Literacy Framework Advisory Board (FAB) ("tasked with developing resources for professional development in support of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education") has finished its term, responsibility for projects has moved to ACRL's Student Learning and Information Literacy Committee (SLILC). The projects incude: ACRL Framework Sandbox, ACRL Framework Toolkit, and the ACRL licensed workshop Engaging with the ACRL Framework: A Catalyst for Exploring and Expanding Our Teaching Practices, Framework discussion list and the Framework WordPress website.

Mostly not blogging at #cilipconf17 ;-)

I am on the exhibition stand for the University of Sheffield Information School, together with a team of students, to connect with iSchool students and recruit more students ;-) - at the CILIP Conference 2017, taking place in Manchester, UK today. Left to right in the photo are: me, Itzelle Medina, Lucy Sinclair, Jaimee McRoberts, Erica Brown and Hannah Beckitt.  I have to be on the exhibition stand most of the time, so I am missing possibly all of the sessions - so probably no liveblogging. However I am tweeting from the @Infoschoolsheff account all day. Also our students will have some blog posts on the iSchool blog so I will link to them in due course. To follow the lively twitterstream from the conference, it's https://twitter.com/hashtag/CILIPConf17

Rudaí 23: open 23 Things course begins in September #Rudai23

"23 Things" initiatives started some time ago, using open tools like blogs to help librarians learn about using Web 2.0 and other tools more effectively, and supporting Continuing Professional Development. In September 2017, Rudaí 23 begins, "an online, self-directed course based on the 23 Things program, delivered by a collaborative group of librarians and educators, in association with the Western Regional Section of the Library Association of Ireland, and The Library Association of Ireland." There are 23 modules, and "Participants can choose which sections to complete and earn up to 5 digital badges: Visual Communicator, Online Networker, Critical Thinker, Engaged Professional and CPD Champion." Topics include: blogging (as is common with 23 Things inititaives, participants are expected to blog their reflections and experience), image banks, communicating visually, infographics, networking and collaboration tools, professional brand, Personal Data Management, podcasts, advocacy, and evaluating information: reflective practice is encouraged throughout. Registration starts on 28 August 2017.
More information at: http://rudai23.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/rudai-23-new-online-course-for.html Rudaí 23 also ran in 2015 (obviously Rudaí 23 2017 is a heavily revised/ updated version) and you can see the posts for the 2015 iteration on the Rudaí 23 blog