Using the model for instruction developed from a popular information literacy librarian, William Badke, the presenters developed a 7-week course that encourages students to follow the natural trajectory of inquiry, using topics that either double as research for other classes, or interest them in a more personal way. By mapping the course sections onto ACRL frameworks, the presenters were able to ensure they met those standards for excellence, utilizing Kagan active learning structures and the game-based learning platform Kahoot, thereby developing a course that encouraged active participation and critical thinking about Information Literacy.
The course from the previous semester served as a template for the new course, developed by a graduate student doing her practicum in Information Literacy Instruction. With the help and guidance of the College's Information Literacy Librarian, she was able to gain experience in the field. The new course radically changed the tone of instruction, emphasizing humor and slang over organization and clarity, and the pros and cons of such an approach are discussed.
This session will be useful for any instruction librarians wishing to update their existing programs or developing new courses from scratch. The session also demonstrates the effectiveness of a practicum in one's library education.
