A portrait of Olas as a young information literacy tutorial
Summary (2 min read)
Introduction
- ICTs are capable of generating volumes and varieties of information in very short time spans.
- Potentially, they contribute to one of two human conditions.
- In Ireland an Action Plan on the Information Society, entitled New Connections: a Strategy to realise the potential of the Information Society was released in 2002.
Information Literacy at WIT
- Strategically, Waterford Institute of Technology has tried to align itself with government policy.
- The policy of WIT Libraries is that information skills are an integral part of every learner’s education.
- The authors know that their clients include a mix of traditional and nontraditional users and recognise that not all learners are free to attend a library tutorial in a specific location within a limited range of hours.
- Such developments highlighted the need and paved the way for a more comprehensive approach.
- WebCT allows for the creation and delivery of web-based educational courses, such as OLAS, online.
A Framework for OLAS
- When creating OLAS, specifications were prepared with a close eye on similar developments elsewhere.
- Evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.
- (Association of College and Research Libraries, 2000) In Australia Information Literacy conferences have taken place every two years since 1992 and the Australian Information Literacy Standards draw upon the American standards but cover additional areas.
- The ‘seven pillars’ model graphically charts the progression from ‘novice information user’ to ‘information literate person’.
- In developing their own set of learning outcomes for OLAS, the authors decided (with kind permission) to use the learning outcomes in the CAUL document and the Seven Pillars structure as explored in detail in Godwin’s Benchmarks.
Developing OLAS
- At this stage, the authors had a foundation for OLAS, which in its final form consisted of nine online modules, which are further organised into multiple sections, according to their learning outcomes.
- Types of information sources and choosing suitable sources for research 3.
- Content was mostly created in Microsoft Frontpage, with quizzes created in the free Coursebuilder add-on to Macromedia Dreamweaver.
- Its overall design remains linear, in the sense that it progresses from Section 1 to Section 9, whereas each individual section is designed as a self-contained unit, facilitating navigation and cross-navigation.
- WebCT includes many features and facilities that potentially enhance OLAS and the authors are currently exploring the package as a platform for the ongoing development of the information literacy project at WIT.
Pedagogical Concerns
- WIT Libraries’ Learning Support model is based on the premise that information literacy training is perhaps the predominant professional duty of today’s librarian.
- As with classroom-based courses, good online teaching and learning practices were of paramount importance, but although pedagogical considerations are equally as important for online courses as they are for face-face ones, the emphasis in many respects, is different online.
- OLAS is based on a set of learning techniques that help students become effective learners in the Information Age.
- These concepts are presented in simple, realistic formats within the context of the student’s own coursework.
- Templates are available within WebCT for the creation, timing and automatic grading of four different types of quiz (Multiple-choice, Matching, Calculated and Short answer).
Instructional Design
- One possible solution to this problem is to create different versions of OLAS within a core OLAS model.
- Within each of the different levels or subject specialist versions, a truly learnercentred approach would necessitate that different content is presented to users depending on their own interaction with the course.
The Future
- The content module provides for the delivery of course material in an enhanced format, while a suite of course tools encourages interpersonal interaction to promote higher order learning, such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation, rather than rote memorization.
- His role has also changed: the man at the top of the classroom has become the man at the other end of the PC, yet, his function remains the same: the teacher persona is still the teacher persona.
- All WebCT courses need to incorporate such a presence if they are to succeed as effective and efficient learning mechanisms online.
- In partnership with educators, librarians now have opportunities to emerge as trainers and teachers, to prepare citizens for productive work and lives in the Information Age.
Work in Progress
- OLAS is taking shape as a remarkable initiative in information society education in terms of its sound, well developed pedagogical basis.
- Its overall framework relies on SCONUL’s Seven Pillars Model of Information Literacy.
- Its learning outcomes are devised from those created by CAUL and Peter Godwin and form the basis of its content.
- To quote Dewey (2001, xv) on this point, purposeful and well-planned programs need to be put in place to expand the integration of IL or information fluency throughout the curriculum and as a basis for lifelong learning.
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Cites background from "A portrait of Olas as a young infor..."
...Techniques for active learning can include ideas ranging from simulations and frequent quizzes to any activity that promotes critical thinking and problem solving.(34) Furthermore, incorporating active learning techniques throughout a tutorial and requiring students to make choices will help them to stay engaged with the materials they need to learn....
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...Incorporating numerous instructional strategies that require active learning is one way to overcome this barrier.(34,35) Techniques for active learning can include ideas ranging from simulations and frequent quizzes to any activity that promotes critical thinking and problem solving....
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References
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"A portrait of Olas as a young infor..." refers background in this paper
...A learning environment that permits intensive and relevant engagement with the subject matter, being individualised and self-paced, allowing immediate access to large amounts of data, asking questions to test student understanding, and providing guidance when errors or misconceptions are noted ( Laurillard and Ramsden, 1992, p. 159...
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