MisInfo day

MisInfo day has been run annually by the University of Washington Center for an Informed Public, USA, since 2019 (the next one is planned for March 2025). There is information about it here https://www.cip.uw.edu/misinfoday/ and on previous ones here, and there are some lessons/ resources here. A new short video includes footage from the inperson event.

Webinar: Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace

On 9 September 2024 at 09:00 - 13:00 Central Africa Time (which is 8.00-12.00 UK time - BST) there is a free webinar Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace, organised by the North-West University (Potchefstroom, South Africa) Library and Information Service. It will be "exploring Literacy from a South African perspective, in celebration of International Literacy Day... this seminar aims to delve into the crucial role of literacy in fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting peace through multilingual education."
Information and registration at https://nwu.libcal.com/event/12936671
Photo by Sheila Webber: Charlton Park, August 2024

Recording: Putting the New Standards for Distance and Online Learning Library Services in Action

A final ACRL recording for this week: of a webinar on 10 June 2024 organised by the ACRL Distance and Online Learning Section Standards Committee: Putting the New Standards for Distance and Online Learning Library Services in Action. This looked at the standards and how they were developed, the accompanying worksheet and the toolkit they have developed. The recording is at https://youtu.be/GoUiqpLg4uc?si=BC3gVVdMKeMancaY and embedded below (51 minutes).
The standards are at https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/standardsdistancelearning and this is the toolkit https://acrl.ala.org/dols/standards-toolkit/ I will highlight the standard relating to information literacy "Research & Instruction Standard: The library provides reference, research support, consultation, and instruction to distance and online learning communities.
"Benchmarks The library:
"Ensures instruction methods are supported by the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
"Creates appropriate learning outcomes specific to the institution.
"Encourages library instructors to work collaboratively with teaching faculty to include information literacy instruction into distance and online courses and programs.
"Collaborates with faculty and/or learning management system administrator to embed library tools and instructional materials into the online classroom.
"Provides point-of-need or virtual assistance which may include, but is not limited to, the following: ○ research needs ○ use of collections and equipment ○ general library services ○ referrals
"Markets and promotes educational services directly to distance and online learning communities."

Recording: Draft Information Literacy Framework for Criminal Justice

Another ACRL recording: this time of the 8 July 2024 webinar organised by the ACRL Anthropology and Sociology Section Criminal Justice/Criminology Discussion Group & Instruction and Information Literacy Committee: Cracking the Case: Unpacking the Draft Information Literacy Framework for Criminal Justice.The draft criminal justice Framework companion document and its genesis are introduced and there is discussion of how it could be used. The recording is here https://youtu.be/ZfnCKN49Svk?si=0Q9fYahEnBrw5jPh I have to admit I just skipped through it, but I found the audience poll at 8.30 interesting, on which parts of the ACRL framework people find easiest to teach (Research as Inquiry, and Scholarship as Conversation) and there are some detailed questions from the audience.
The draft Companion Document to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education: Criminology and Criminal Justice itself is here  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BLjngHBlawlwJMKfVA08vAovQCmYX5dftvHCRtVDxOQ/edit#heading=h.4ydbklyuh899
Photo by Sheila Webber: Mason's Regency china, with agapanthus and wild marjoram, July 2024

Recording: Librarians as Instructors for Credit-Bearing Classes

There is a recording of the July 15, 2024 ACRL ULS Professional Development Committee webinar Librarians as Instructors for Credit-Bearing Classes - A Path Forward for Public Services? presented by Jennifer Joe (Undergraduate Engagement Librarian and associate professor at the University of Toledo, USA). Joe describes the class created in 2012, redesigned in 2019 and also affected by the pandemic lockdown. This includes discussing how it was designed, the learning outcomes, positives and negatives of librarians as teachers, and problems with the class. Go to https://youtu.be/_ckWqtP9pns?si=RgW5kLQ9daK7rgA9
(Rather poor) photo, of a mosaic painting by Maggie Forsyth (1954-2024).

Information intergrity: examples and principles

Thanks to the IFLA FAIFE newsletter which included (amongst numerous other things) a link to an interesting article about information integrity in elections in Taiwan, Comoros, Pakistan, India, and South Africa (some good, mostly bad)
Hollstein, T. & Jones, B.G. (2024, August 6). What we learned about information integrity from five 2024 elections. Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). https://www.wfd.org/commentary/what-we-learned-about-information-integrity-five-2024-elections 

Also, substantially, a link to The United Nations Global Principles For Information Integrity https://www.un.org/en/information-integrity/global-principles released on 24 June 2024. The principles are: societal trust and resilience; independent, free and pluralistic media; transparency and research; public empowerment; and healthy incentives.
Under Powerful Empowerment they note "Media, information and digital literacy training initiatives should focus attention on empowering all, in particular focusing on the specific challenges faced by women, older persons, children, youth, persons with disabilities and groups in situations of vulnerability and marginalization."
Photo by Sheila Webber: red roses, August 2024

Fake news train

The Public Media Alliance is "a non-profit organisation funded by over fifty public media organisations, including the BBC, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Zweites Deutches Fernsehen (ZDF), the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and Thai PBS"
One of their latest news stories is of an education train that acts as a moving classroom, which has been expnanded with "a car on the subject of “fake news”... The new content aims to promote the media literacy of students and to help them distinguish fakes from facts." by the Swiss public broadcaster SRG.
Public Media Alliance. (2024, August 21). Fake or fact: SRG and SBB launch new module for SBB school and adventure train. https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/fake-or-fact-srg-and-sbb-launch-new-module-for-sbb-school-and-adventure-train/ (there is the further information in teh German-language original)
Photo © SBB CFF FFS titled Innenansicht Wagen "Fake News", SBB Schul- und Erlebniszug, 15.08.2024 [interior of the Fake news car, SBB school and experience train] obtained from their media centre here.
I was attracted to the PMA website by a UNESCO news story: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/building-media-literacy-educators-and-journalists-engage-unesco-supported-bootcamps-caribbean

Cambodia: Digital, Media, and Information Literacy (DMIL) Competency Framework

UNESCO reports on Cambodia's launch of its first competency framework on Digital, Media and Information Literacy (DMIL). The framework outlines 8 DMIL competency domains with a total of 114 competencies and 3 proficiency levels.
The competency domains are: Information and data literacy; digital devices and software operations; media literacy; communication and collaboration; digital content creation; security and safety; problem solving; lifelong learning.
The English version, a 30 page document which explains the origins, goals and elements in the framework, can be downloaded here https://go.gov.kh/#/fileviewer?url=mptc/dmil-english.pdf and the Khmer language version at https://go.gov.kh/mptc/dmil-khmer and there is a short video in Khmer here https://youtu.be/NLwuKAvvXM4?si=XKs2W0jJFDhOgC19

AI Tools for Information Professionals

Phil Bradley and his team are running another online "Power Hour" on 13 September 2024 at 12 noon UK time (BST): AI Tools for Information Professionals. Cost is £35 per person, and includes a recording of the session and some materials. "This Power Hour is going to provide you with an introduction to everything AI ... We’ll be exploring how to use AI tools to write and repurpose content, create images and videos and more."
Registration and information at https://tinyurl.com/4zjz8mjb
Photo by Sheila Webber: Hydrangea, Sheffield, July 2024

Concept Note: #GlobalMILWeek 2024

UNESCO issued a Concept Note for the 2024 Global Media and Information Literacy Week (24-31 October), and specifically for the feature conference that will take place in Amman, Jordan 30-31 October. The theme is The New Digital Frontiers of Information Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information
"This year's theme will highlight the paramount importance of media and information literacy in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of information creation, dissemination, and consumption, paving the way for a safer, more inclusive, and empowering digital future for all."
"This year’s theme will highlight the importance of equipping people with the skills to think critically and evaluate information, discern fact from fiction, and engage responsibly in online discourse. This is particularly necessary in today’s digitalecosystem.
"Digital platforms have revolutionized the way information and news are created and consumed, allowing users to access, share and engage with content in real time. A new generation of online content creators, whether journalists, activists, or influencers, are reshaping how information is disseminated in unprecedented ways.  ...  while contributing to greater diversity of voices and perspectives online, this also raises questions about the reliability, professionalism, and ethics of the content produced. In addition, the emergence of generative artificial intelligence brings new complexities to the information landscape."
See the complete statement at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000390716.locale=enPhoto by Sheila Webber: sunny sky, Sheffield, August 2024

Webinar: Educating for a Challenging Future - Political and Digital Literacy

A free webinar on 6 September at 11.00-12.00 UK time (BST) is Educating for a Challenging Future - Political and Digital Literacy . It is organised by CILIP Scotland and covers a project from the University of Edinburgh, working with Education Scotland "to help reform the curriculum to help prepare people for the future." "The University of Edinburgh is working with Education Scotland to help reform the curriculum to help prepare people for the future where reality is contested on social media, there are fewer trusted institutions and thinking is outsourced to AI. They are currently at the ‘big ideas’ stage – formulating project’s guiding principles. ... This webinar will highlight these considerations and also explore how libraries might contribute". It says it is "open to CILIP members" but it looks to me like it's free to everyone. Register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/educating-for-a-challenging-future-political-and-digital-literacy-tickets-957205195507
Photo by Sheila Webber: foraged blackberries and some agapanthus buds, August 2024

Mental Health Information Literacy

The latest newsletter from the IFLA Library Theory and Research Section includes a short report about their Mental Health Information Literacy and Workplace Stress Management project (led by Professor Susmita Chakraborty and Catharina Isberg). The newsletter is at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v29asFZMZmuwThseSmgEWl-BZZFpjX_p/view
Photo by Sheila Webber: blue and pinkish hydrangeas, July 2024

Webinar: Media and information literacy in Europe's regional languages

On 27 August 2024 at 11am UTC (which is 12 noon BST) there is a free webinar: Media and information literacy in Europe's regional languages: Insights from the Basque, Frisian and Irish language communities. This webinar "aims to explore the current state of the media ecosystem in the Basque, Frisian, and Irish languages, through the perspective of language activists and media professionals who will help interpret how these ecosystems parallel, diverge from, or complement the media landscapes in the dominant languages, as well as the narratives that are taking place in both the ecosystems." The speakers are: Mirjam Vellinga (Afûk); a representative of Wikimedia Community of Ireland; Urtzi Urrutikoetxea (Garabide). More info at https://globalvoices.org/2024/08/15/live-on-august-27-media-and-information-literacy-in-europes-regional-languages/  and register here (this link works - the one on their website didn't, when I tried it)

IFLA Internet Manifesto

IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) has published their new version of the IFLA Internet Manifesto. Their vision is "Meaningful and universal connectivity is connectivity that protects rights and realises potential. The Internet must connect societies and advance the rights and autonomy of individuals so that they can participate fully and freely in society": https://repository.ifla.org/handle/123456789/3461

Fact checking Ferret and misinformation

At the CILIP Scotland conference in June 2024 there was a presentation from Alastair Brian of The Ferret fact checking organisation based in Scotland. It is "a registered co-operative with places reserved on the board for both journalists and subscribers." The video is 37 minutes (embedded below and at https://youtu.be/odBxfjsS4bM?si=j6uQn_GehDMsz9-M)

Bibliographies from Mick Healey

There are some useful bibliographies concerned with research into student learning in Higher Education which have been maintained for years by Professor Emeritus Mick Healey. I have mentioned them before, but they are being kept updated so I will mention them again.
The topics are: 1 Active learning and learning styles; 2 Discipline based approaches to supporting learning and teaching; 3 Linking research and teaching; 4 Pedagogic research and development; 5 The scholarship of teaching and learning; 6 The scholarship of engagement; 7 Dissertations and capstone projects; 8 Students as partners and change agents; 9 Research-based curricula in college-based higher education; 10 Writing about learning and teaching in higher education.
This is the link (apologies for not including it at first!) https://www.healeyheconsultants.co.uk/resources
Photo by Sheila Webber: pale blue hydrangea, July 2024

New book: Information Literacy and Social Media

Santamaría, M. & Pfannenstiel, A.N. (2024). Information Literacy and Social Media: Empowered Student Engagement with the ACRL Framework. ACRL.  Item Number 979-8-89255-545-6. Price: ALA Member US$45.00 others US$50.00  
It "provides librarians and non-librarian practitioners with ways to teach and learn with social media. It addresses how to broadly conceptualize information literacy teaching with social media and allay any student reluctance to using social media for academic purposes. It proposes how to map some of the ACRL threshold concepts onto specific social media platforms, including Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, while providing general guidance for if and when those platforms change.
"There are eight concrete, cross-disciplinary lesson plans that factor in design, assessment, and student engagement. Finally, the book considers how up-and-coming platforms might empower students to be critical content creators and encourage librarians and faculty to support and create new information literacy initiatives on their campuses."
Details at https://alastore.ala.org/information-literacy-and-social-media-empowered-student-engagement-acrl-framework?Photo by Sheila Webber: hydrangea, July 2024

The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act

Earlier this year the European Council passed the Artificial Intelligence Act. Its publication in July 2024 in the Official Journal of the EU was the official notification.There is a dedicated website for the Act here https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/ Apart from the Act itself there is a growing range of resources such as (published last month) an introduction to codes of practice, a compliance checker and a high level summary of the Act (it says "in ten minutes" but I think they are being a bit over-optimistic). In 30 seconds " The Act assigns applications of AI to three risk categories. First, applications and systems that create an unacceptable risk, such as government-run social scoring of the type used in China, are banned. Second, high-risk applications, such as a CV-scanning tool that ranks job applicants, are subject to specific legal requirements. Lastly, applications not explicitly banned or listed as high-risk are largely left unregulated."

Designing Learning and Teaching for a World of Social Generative AI

An interesting video presentation from educational researcher Mike Sharples (Open University, UK) Future Learning: Designing Innovative Learning and Teaching for a World of Social Generative AI. He has an informed and thoughtful perspective, seeing generative AI in the context of what we already know about learning design (unlike those who buy into hype, and treat it as if it were this compeletely new thing that changes everything about education) https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/view/224689/
This was given at the SITE 2024 conference in March 2024 (that link is to the proceedings, but most of the items are not open access)
Image by Sheila Webber on Midjourney AI using the prompt: social learning teaching, generative AI colourful --v 6.0

Webinar: Health Literacy

On 9 August 2024 at 12.30 US Eastern time (which is 17.30 UK time) there is a webinar on Health literacy hosted by the Special Libraries Association Education Division and ACRL's EBSS Education Committee.
"A panel of academic librarians will draw upon their experiences to focus on evidence-based approaches for addressing health literacy in underserved populations, specifically in the LGBTQ+, Latinx, Black, and Refugee communities. This engaging panel provides an overview of the most significant health literacy needs in various communities and highlights connections to health disparities, health equity, and social justice. Overall, this panel supports those working with historically underserved populations with strategies they can use to address health literacy issues and to be responsive to their communities as partners."
Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvceqtpzwsHtDYWS_rchrX5m7G3s7BG3DS Photo by Sheila Webber: a bee on borage, May 2024

Cfp: iConference: Living in an AI-gorithmic World

There is a call for papers for the iConference 2025 which has the theme  Living in an AI-gorithmic World. It takes place virtually 11-14 March 2025 and in person in Bloomington, USA, 18-22 March 2025. The deadline is 15 September 15 2024 for full research papers, short research papers & posters and 20 October 2024 for workshops and interactive sessions. "iConference 2025 seeks to explore the potentially profound implications of living in a world increasingly influenced by algorithmic processes, such as generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, large language models (LLM), data analytics, and related technologies." The call for papers is here https://www.ischools.org/post/iconference-2025-call-for-papers

New articles: AI for infolit; AI competency; Data competency; Feedback literacy

Volume 50 issue 4 (2024) of the Journal of Academic Librarianship (a priced publication) includes the following:
- Integrating large language models and generative artificial intelligence tools into information literacy instruction by Alexander J. Carroll, Joshua Borycz (open access)
- Facilitating inclusive and equitable curricular changes: A case study of embedded librarianship in a faculty learning community by Emily Z. Mann, Ashley N. Reese, Michelle Madden, Timothy Henkel
- Data competency for academic librarians: Evaluating present trends and future prospects by Jiebei Luo, Rong Tang
- From insight to innovation: Harnessing artificial intelligence for dynamic literature reviews Stephen Buetow, Joshua Lovatt (open access)
- Successful feedback literacy for library and information science professionals: A literature review by Jessica N. Szempruch, LeEtta M. Schmidt
- B-Wheel – Building AI competences in academic libraries by Heli Kautonen, Andrea Alessandro Gasparini (open access)
Contents page at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/the-journal-of-academic-librarianship/vol/50/issue/4 (note: I can't seem to access the Science Direct site using Firefox, but it was fine with Chrome)
Photo by Sheila Webber: Bournemouth, June 2024 (spot the goats)

AI Community of Practice (AI COP) for academic librarians

An AI Community of Practice for Academic Librarians has been formed by academic librarians in the USA. There is a first online meeting on 28 August 2024 at 13.00-14.00 US Eastern time (which is 18.00-19.00 UK time, BST)
"The AI COP aims to create a vibrant, inclusive community where academic librarians can explore the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence together. Key aspects of our community: Open dialogue: All viewpoints on AI are respected and valued; Knowledge sharing: Learn from colleagues and identify collaboration opportunities; Resource development"
The AI COP Organizers are: Emma Slayton (Data Education Librarian, Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, USA); Rebecca Fordon (Reference Librarian & Adjunct Professor, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, USA); Michael Flierl (Fellow at the Information Literacy Institute at Purdue, USA).
Join the COP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNbczF-vfx-wtyxEfMO-BY3TImwtXZLOoFrhJSn1BXG6Xo-Q/viewformImage created by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI using the prompt AI Community of Practice for Academic Librarians (interesting it manages to incorporate the stereotype librarian with glasses and a bun)

SearchGPT: the next step

An interesting post from Phil Bradley about SearchGPT and how he sees it affecting search and search engines. You should be able to read this without logging into LinkedIn (though if you aren't you will have to click your way past a notice).
Bradley, P. (2024, July 27). SearchGPT; the next step. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/searchgpt-next-step-phil-bradley-jrxze/

This is an article by him from earlier in the month:
Bradley, P. (2024, June 4). The changing face of internet search. Information Today. https://www.infotoday.eu/Articles/Editorial/Featured-Articles/The-changing-face-of-internet-search-164285.aspx?

Photo by Sheila Webber: Stanley Park, Vancouver, May 2024

Open access book: Teaching and Generative AI

An open-access book published a few months ago, with chapters by various authors. Chapters include:
- Empowering Educators in the Age of Generative AI: A Critical Media Literacy Approach
- Developing Media and Information Literacy through Dialogues about AI
- Navigating Benefits and Concerns When Discussing GenAI Tools with Faculty and Staff (by Reed Hepler, a librarian)
Buyserie, B. & Thurston, T. (Eds.) (2024). Teaching and Generetaive AI. Utah Education Network Pressbooks. https://uen.pressbooks.pub/teachingandgenerativeai/
Image by Sheila Webber using Midjourney AI using the prompt: Teaching, Generative AI, college, style of Miro --v 6.0 --ar 16:9 (I introduced the Miro part to avoid desks, screens, robot heads etc.)