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Information Literacy in the Core Workshop for Faculty

Standards Activity

Learning Outcomes: What's in a Name?

Activity courtesy of Patricia Iannuzzi

Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education


Standards approved by the Association of Colleges & Research Libraries (ACRL)

An information literate individual is able to:

  • Determine the extent of information needed
  • Access the needed information effectively and efficiently
  • Evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base
  • Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally
These standards were also endorsed by the American Association for Higher Education (October 1999) and the Council of Independent Colleges (February 2004).

Read more about the ACRL Information Literacy Standards


Image courtesy of Beloit College Library

Information Literacy Defined


Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. It is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments, and to all levels of education. It enables learners to master content and extend their investigations, become more self-directed, and assume greater control over their own learning.

--ACRL

5 Information Literacy Standards

Courtesy of Anne-Marie Deitering, Oregon State Univ.

Poll: Most Frequently Taught Standard?

Which Info Lit Standard Do You Teach Most Often?

Poll: Most Frequently Taught Standard?
#1 Needs: 5 votes (16.67%)
#2 Finds: 12 votes (40%)
#3 Evaluates: 6 votes (20%)
#4 Uses: 3 votes (10%)
#5 Ethics: 4 votes (13.33%)
Total Votes: 30

Poll: Which Standard is This?

Which information literacy standard does this assignment teach?

Assignment: Compare treatment of the same topic in a liberal magazine (such as Mother Jones) and a conservative magazine (such as American Spectator)

Poll: Which Standard is This?
#1 (Needs): 2 votes (7.14%)
#2 (Finds): 3 votes (10.71%)
#3 (Evaluates): 19 votes (67.86%)
#4 (Uses): 3 votes (10.71%)
#5 (Ethics): 1 votes (3.57%)
Total Votes: 28