Colloquium on fake news and disinformation

Today this meeting is being live streamed at https://webcast.ec.europa.eu/2nd-multistakeholder-meeting-on-fake-news and there are still a couple of hours to go. This is part of a European Commission initiative on fake news, which includes deliberations of an expert group on fake news. The colloquium website is at https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/colloquium-fake-news-and-disinformation-online and the expert group website at https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/high-level-group-fake-news -and-online-disinformation

Cambridge Information Literacy Network

An exciting new information literacy development in the UK, thanks to CILN for providing the following "The Cambridge Information Literacy Network (CILN for short) involves over fifty library staff from across Cambridge University collaborating on information literacy projects. The team will be working on mapping learning outcomes and student competencies; learning about inductions and orientations, professional skills, and the delivery of online teaching; planning a conference; and developing online open resources around information literacy and academic skills to support taught postgraduate and undergraduate students in their transition to university."
Twitter: @Cam_ILN Website: https://camiln.wordpress.com/
Photo by Sheila Webber: Swan, February 2018

Booth requests input for new edition

Char Booth is requesting help in updating her book Reflective Teaching, Effective Learning: Instructional Literacy for Library Educators . She writes she is "in the process of revising and expanding RTEL into a 2nd edition that will be available in 2019. While much of the foundational content of the 2011 version (e.g., instructional design) is still relevant, many elements have become outdated.... I’d like to invite your feedback through one or both of two anonymous surveys, each of which will help inform RTEL’s revision." She hopes for input by March 1 2018, and you can be entered in a draw for copies of the new edition. The 2 surveys are:
"Survey 1 – Pedagogical preparation for library instruction. Whether you’ve read RTEL or not, share your insights into how you were (or weren’t) trained to teach and provide some context on your own instruction practice. This survey should take 15-20 minutes and is here.
"Survey 2 - RTEL 1st edition feedback. If you’ve read some or all of Reflective Teaching, Effective Learning’s 1st edition and want to communicate your impressions/critiques/suggestions, please do so. This survey should take 5-10 minutes and is here"
Photo by Sheila Webber: tree in reflection, February 2018

Library Instruction West registration opens soon!

Library Instruction West (formerly LOEX of the West) is "a two-day conference dedicated to exploring library instruction and information literacy" which takes place at Colorado Mesa University, USA, 19-20 July 2018. Registration will open sometime between March 1 and March 5, and the conference rates are already publicised. Go to https://libraryinstructionwest.weebly.com/
Photo by Sheila Webber: reflected tree, February 2018

PhD student seeks library/ information interviewees

Via Stéphane Goldstein: Gianfranco Polizzi, a PhD student at the Department of Media and Communications, LSE, UK, is "doing PhD research to understand how people use and think about the Internet and digital media in general and in relation to civic, political engagement. I am specifically focusing on two social categories: activists involved in various social, political causes; and individuals whose professions revolve around information and media technologies. I am conducting a wide range of interviews, asking participants to have two interviews and to write weekly diaries for 2-4 weeks in between about how they engage civically or politically. Interviews take place at convenient locations for participants and identifying information is anonymised. Each participant receives £50 upon completion of their second interview as a sign of appreciation." Contact Gianfranco Polizzi at G.Polizzi@lse.ac.uk

Call for proposals: 5th annual LILi conference

The 5th annual LILi conference will take place on July 13, 2018, at Glendale Community College, Glendale, California, USA. The theme is It’s Not Just Academic: Bridging Gaps with Information Empowerment in All Libraries. "How has your library fostered information empowerment among its users? LILi invites you to share your library or program’s innovative teachable moments by submitting proposals with practical applications." Proposals for 15 minute presentations should be submitted by March 30, 2018 at Submit proposals here: http://bit.ly/2GT4pzB.
There is more information here: http://www.hsli.org/newsletter/2018/02/19/save-the-datecall-for-proposals-5th-free-annual-lili-conference/
Photo by Sheila Webber: Geese, February 2018

New book: IMPACT Learning: Librarians at the Forefront of Change in Higher Education

Maybee, C. (2018). IMPACT Learning: Librarians at the Forefront of Change in Higher Education. Chandos Publishing. eBook ISBN: 9780081021033, Paperback ISBN: 9780081020777
https://www.elsevier.com/books/impact-learning/maybee/978-0-08-102077-7 this has a link to a a Google Preview, but it pops up in a rather small window, so you may be better going to look at the first two chapters directly here (and thanks to Clarence Maybee for the tip)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Apples, Blackheath Farmers market, February 2018

World Day of Social Justice #socialjusticeday

Today (20 February) is World Social Justice Day . This is the United Nations website for the day http://www.un.org/en/events/socialjusticeday/ Their special event focuses on the theme Workers on the move: the quest for social justice.
Information Literacy can be an enabler of social justice, as is reflected in core statements about information literacy, such as in the UNESCO-supported Prague Declaration "Information Literacy, in conjunction with access to essential information and effective use of information and communication technologies, plays a leading role in reducing the inequities within and among countries and peoples, and in promoting tolerance and mutual understanding through information use in multicultural and multilingual contexts."
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has produced a blog post Social Justice: a Core Library Mission. The blog post also alludes to the value of information literacy "The skills to make this access [to information] meaningful are also important. Yet it is often those who struggle with the costs of information that also lack the knowledge or confidence needed to apply it. This holds them back from taking better decisions and improving their lives." https://blogs.ifla.org/lpa/2018/02/20/social-justice-a-core-library-mission/ 

Creating Knowledge XI call for papers #CKIX2018

March 1 2018 is the deadline for submitting proposals for the Creating Knowledge IX conference (focusing as usual on information literacy and learning), taking place 6-8 June 2018 in Vingsted, Denmark. This always-interesting conference is sponsored by Nordinfolit and also supported by the Danish Research Library Association. "The overarching theme of the 2018 conference will be best practice, and topics will include new skills, new technologies, and new ways to interact with and engage our patrons. We want to look to the future and explore how libraries and the people working in libraries can continue, in informed and meaningful ways, to contribute to the creation of knowledge and the facilitation of successful learning in higher education and beyond." The tracks are: new skills; new technologies; new ways to interact with and engage our patrons.
"We encourage all formats, from brief pitches and papers, to hands-on workshops and open space events. We want the conference contents to be as multifarious as possible so as to create a both relevant and thrilling learning experience for everyone involved. If you wish to submit a proposal, please send us a summary of your contribution, including a description of the intended format, and we will get back to you to arrange the details after the review process."
The conference fee is all-inclusive: 2½ days conference, 2 nights, all meals, social networking, pre-conference social program, conference dinner, and shuttle buses from Vejle Station on selected arrivals. Conference fee 5995 DKK; Early bird / DFFU members 5495 DKK. For more information go to the conference website http://www.creatingknowledge.dk

Alexandre Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries

Library Juice Press requests nominations for the Alexandre Vattemare Award for Creativity in Librarianship, recognising "contributions in the LIS field that are marked by originality, creative energy, and novel combinations of ideas. The primary consideration in selecting the awardee is their creation of new possibilities for libraries and library workers. The award is open to librarians, other library workers, and community members." "Alexandre Vattemare, the remarkable 19th century ventriloquist, is the inspiration for the award." The winner gets US $1000 and a certificate. "Nominations should include a letter and sufficient materials for evaluation; more is better. Evaluation of nominees begins May 1st. Materials may be sent to inquiries@libraryjuicepress.com "

Booking open for #Transmedia Literacy International Conference

Free registration for the Transmedia Literacy International Conference, taking place in Barcelona, Catalonia, March 22-24 2018, is now open. "This event brings together a vibrant and global community of media and education researchers and innovators. The conference is organized as a part of the dissemination activities of the TRANSLITERACY H2020 action, a project that involves researchers from Europe, Latin America and Australia. Beyond the paper sessions and the keynotes the Transmedia Literacy International Conference will include workshops and short presentations by education innovation leaders. The main objective of the conference is to share research outputs and practices around the following topics: Transmedia literacy; Transmedia education; Transmedia skills and informal learning strategies; Media literacy; Educommunication; Student-generated contents; Collaborative cultures and education; Fan cultures and education." Go to https://transmedialiteracy.org/the-conference/
Photo by Sheila Webber, taken in Second Life, January 2018

#ECIL2018 proposal deadline extended

The deadline for proposals for the European Conference on Information Literacy, to be held in Oulu, Finland, 24-27 September 2018, has been extended to 23 February (i.e. extended by one week). More information here http://ecil2018.ilconf.org/abstract-submission/

InfoLit for U - MOOC from Hong Kong universities

A free open-access MOOC on information literacy (IL), InfoLit for U, is offered by the libraries of eight universities in Hong Kong usingthe edX platform. It is "24-7 self-paced, non-credit bearing suitable for undergraduate students in all years of study." It is designed "to help you to become an analytical, wise, and creative information user for effective learning at the university and tackle professional challenges after graduation." As well as general segments looking at identifying the information need, finding, evaluating and sysnthesising, there are discipline-specific sections focussing on: Arts and Humanities; Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Health Sciences; Law; Science;Social Science. Information and enrollment at https://edx.keep.edu.hk/courses/course-v1:UGCULibs+IL1001+2017_01/about. I haven't gone very far with the MOOC, but I did register and enroll, and it was straightforward. There is a bit more information about the underlying project at https://www.lib.polyu.edu.hk/julac-il-project/online-courseware

Educause key issues in teaching and learning

The American association concerned with tech in higher education EDUCAUSE has announced its "key issues" for 2018. They were voted on by EDUCAUSE members. Some of them look like perennial issues to me, and some are rather generic (e.g. the first one seems to amount to - things keep changing!), but at least information literacy makes it in there  (albeit subordinated to digital literacy). There is an Infographic (reproduced here: copyright EDUCAUSE used under a Creative Commons licence) and some links to EDUCAUSE resources under each heading. The issues are:
1. Academic Transformation
2. Accessibility and Universal Design
3. Faculty Development
4. Privacy and Security
5. Digital and Information Literacies
6. Integrated Planning and Advising Systems for Student Success (iPASS)
7. Instructional Design
8. Online and Blended Learning
9. Evaluating Technology-based Instructional Innovations
10. Open Education
11. Learning Analytics
12. Adaptive Teaching and Learning
13. Working with Emerging Technology
15. NGDLE (next generation digital learning environment) and LMS (Learning Management Services)

From Information Literate to Information Fluent: The Role of Libraries in Preparing 21st Century Citizens

A free webinar on 21 February 2018 at 11am US Pacific time (which is 7pm UK time, 2pm US Eastern time) From Information Literate to Information Fluent: The Role of Libraries. "Librarians are increasingly important in helping students, pre-K through 20 and beyond [i.e. from pre-school to university-level and beyond], to move beyond the skills of Information Literacy and become Information Fluent in order to successfully navigate the Knowledge Economy. In this session, Dr. Alan Bearman will discuss how, with the help of a Lyrasis Catalyst Grant, the Washburn University librarians are collaborating with other regional librarians to develop a culture of Information Fluency in their service region." Bearman is is Professor in the History of Christianity and Early American History at Washburn University where he is also the founding Dean of the combined University Libraries and the Center for Student Success and Retention. The webinar wil be recorded for later viewing. To register, go to https://goo.gl/eo7eSD
Photo by Sheila Webber: practically invisible bluetits foraging for seeds in plane trees today.

Seminar: Information Literacy Teaching for New(er) Professionals

The Information Literacy Teaching for New(er) Professionals seminar takes place on 16 April 2018 in Sheffield, UK. "Particularly suited to new professionals or those new to teaching Information Literacy and associated skills.This day will introduce some key Information Literacy frameworks and give an overview of key ideas associated with teaching information skills. This event is run by the Information Literacy Group (ILG) of CILIP, with current CILIP members receiving considerable discount on attendance. Any surplus is reinvested into ILG activities." Trainers: Kate Grigsby, Jane Secker, and Andrew Walsh. Cost is £75 for members and £115 for non-members. More information at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/information-literacy-teaching-for-newer-professionals-tickets-42040857336

There is also a CILIP ILG seminar on Reflective Practice for Information Literacy Practitioners, on 18 June 2018 in London, UK. "The focus of this workshop is the use of reflective practice for library and information practitioners with a focus on information literacy training. The day will consist of a presentation of basic theories and definitions, so that the practices that are learnt and developed throughout the day are grounded in research. Participants will be exposed to a range of tools and techniques that can be applied in the personally and in the workplace, and will cover reflective thinking, reflective discussion, reflective writing, and practice. After considering these generic aspects of reflection participants will then focus more specifically on reflection for learning, and information literacy practice. A number of case studies will be presented, and participants will have the opportunity to draw on their own experiences in the work place. The day will be interactive, and participants are expected to engage in discussion, and a number of individual, and group exercises." It is led by Barbara Sen. More information at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reflective-practice-for-information-literacy-practitioners-tickets-42040482214
Photo by Sheila Webber: my colleague, lego-meister Peter Stordy, led creative activities about teacher and teaching assistant identities, using lego, at out teaching assistant training day today (I led a session about the teaching-learning environment)

Critical thinking strategy and evaluating sources #fakenews

Two rather different items, both relevant to evaluating information. The first is a short article by researchers in Australia, outlining steps to encourage people to think critically about issues such as climate change.
- Cook, J., Ellerton, P. and Kinkead, D. (2018, Febraury 6). Deconstructing climate misinformation to identify reasoning errors. Environmental Research Letters, 13(2). http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aaa49f  (open access)"We offer a strategy based on critical thinking methods to analyse and detect poor reasoning within denialist claims. This strategy includes detailing argument structure, determining the truth of the premises, and checking for validity, hidden premises, or ambiguous language. Focusing on argument structure also facilitates the identification of reasoning fallacies by locating them in the reasoning process. Because this reason-based form of inoculation is based on general critical thinking methods, it offers the distinct advantage of being accessible to those who lack expertise in climate science. ... This comprehensive deconstruction and refutation of the most common denialist claims about climate change is designed to act as a resource for communicators and educators who teach climate science and/or critical thinking." Their video abstract is below (though, to be honest, I think the video mostly shows that this ISN'T a set of steps that you could use to convince complete strangers in a coffee shop).
The second is also a fairly short article, which summarises nicely some of the key effects and biases that have been identified through research (e.g. confirmation bias, focusing effect) with the issues of trying just to take a rational approach. The finish by proposing that there "are two tests that we can apply to digital information sources (coherence and persuasiveness), and two habits we need to relearn: trusting our professional instincts and experience and approaching evaluation from a disinterested position."
- Tredinnick, L. and Laybats, C. (2017). Evaluating digital sources: Trust, truth and lies. Business Information Review, 34(4), 172–175. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0266382117743370 (not open access).

LibTeachmeet on Research Support

There is a library teachmeet LibTeachmeet on Research Support at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, on 26 March 2018. It is free, sponsored by CILIP Information Literacy Group. "This Teachmeet is aimed at research support librarians working within academic and research libraries. It is an informal event led by the participants. Your input is invaluable whether you wish to give a 10 minute presentation or be an enthusiastic audience member. We would like to hear about your ideas, challenges and experiences relating to any aspect of research support within your organisation. We welcome anything from information literacy to new challenges." More information at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/research-support-library-teachmeet-tickets-42869769635
Photo by Sheila Webber: snowy stairway, February 2018

Survey on teaching information literacy

A researcher at the University of South Florida is carrying out a survey aimed at academic librarians who teach information literacy. I had a quick look at the questions, and although some of the terminology is North American, it looked to me as though it would be applicable to academic librarians in other regions of the world as well. "This survey seeks to determine standard practices among professional academic librarians in terms of the kinds of activities instruction librarians engage in when designing and developing instructional materials, and the amount of time spent, on average, on each activity. Furthermore, the principal investigator hopes to find out more about how well supported academic librarians feel in their instructional duties." The information sheet is at http://guides.lib.usf.edu/c.php?g=755864 and the survey here https://usf.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_795oOqq22KIBGU5
Photo by Sheila Webber: Weston Park with snow falling today

Call for Proposals for a Colloquium on Libraries & Service Learning

There is a Call for Proposals for a Colloquium on Libraries & Service Learning with the theme Critically Engaged Librarianship: Exploring Service Learning and Community Involvement, taking place August 9-10, 2018 at the American University, Washington, D.C. Deadline for submissions (presentations, lightning talks or posters) is 9 March 2018. "The intended community for this colloquium includes all who are interested in current and potential partnerships among academic librarians, faculty who teach service learning courses, service learning professionals, and community partners. The colloquium is designed to facilitate the sharing of research, ideas, perspectives and best practices in library engagement with/in academic service learning." More information at https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/libraries-and-service-learning/submission_guidelines.html

New articles: research methods

There's a new issue of the open access journal Library and Information Research, Vol 41, No 125 (2017), which focuses on research methods (timely, as I'm teaching research methods this week!):
- Making sense of methods – a conversation about qualitative research in library and information studies by Edward Francis Abbott-Halpin, Antony Bryant
- An evaluation of phenomenography by Amanda F. Cossham
- Meta-Ethnography and its Potential for Theory Building in Library and Information Science by Nancy Everhart, Melissa P. Johnston
- Institutional ethnography: A sociology for librarianship by Nicole K Dalmer, Roz Stooke, Pam McKenzie
- Threshold concepts and core competences in the library and information science (LIS) domain: Methodologies for discovery by Virginia M. Tucker
- Participant-driven photo-elicitation in library settings: A methodological discussion by Shailoo Bedi, Jenaya Webb
Go to: http://www.lirgjournal.org.uk/lir/ojs/index.php/lir/issue/view/76
Photo by Sheila Webber: research methods books on my shelf, February 2018

New articles on teaching and #lifelonglearning

Open access journal Teaching in Lifelong Learning has new articles (2017, Volume 8, Issue 1) http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/view/journal_till/2017/8/1.html: I noticed
- Tait, V. (2017). Teacher Educator and Teachers in Training: A Case-Study Charting the Development of Professional Identities. Teaching in lifelong learning, 8 (1). DOI: 10.5920/till.2017.03 (these are school teachers, but I think some of the discussion about teacher identity would be interesting for teacher-librarians)
- Kerr, H. (2017). Overcoming People’s Perception of Education in a Community Learning Setting. Strategies to Help Learners Engage in Their Own Learning. Teaching in lifelong learning, 8 (1). DOI: 10.5920/till.2017.04 (Again, this isn't about information literacy or libraries, but would be relevant to those in public libraries or other areas were there is a diverse community).
Photo by Sheila Webber: winter skyline, Greenwich, December 2017