Research Guides: Online Learning for Information Literacy: Home

How to Use this Collection for Your Classes

This collection of tutorials, videos, class exercises, and assessments are designed to be useful no matter how you're teaching--online or in person, synchronously or asynchronously, with a librarian or without. You can find:

Resources for courses at all levels to develop students' information literacy
Student learning outcomes for information literacy at each course level
Assistance with integrating resource into Moodle or using them as graded assignments

We will be adding materials throughout the fall semester. If there is a concept or skill for which you'd like a tutorial, please let us know. We are happy to design it for your class. Please email reflib@gettysburg.edu with any questions or requests.

Forms of Support

Librarians are happy to discuss how we can best support you. Some options include:

Asynchronous class support (tutorials, videos, exercises you can use in class, etc.)
Synchronous class support (live session via Zoom used in combination with tutorials or videos)
Research consultations (individual research consultations in combination with tutorials or videos and exercises)

Various combinations may be appropriate for your class. If you would like to talk about your course and assignment goals, we can provide recommendations on relevant tutorials and exercises. Or, if we don't have something that covers what you have in mind, we will make it.

Scheduling a Class Session (Asynchronous or Synchronous)

If you would like to have a session with a librarian or discuss other options, please use our online request form. A librarian will contact you shortly.

Integrating into Moodle

The tutorials and videos can be integrated into your course Moodle site, either as an individual link or as a new assignment activity. If you need assistance, please consult the "Moodle Guide" site within Gettysburg's Moodle.

Assigning and Grading

If you're interested in assigning tutorials/videos and want to discuss grading and receiving student responses, either within a tutorial itself or within Moodle, please note this in your class session request.

If you'd like to assign a tutorial and assessment without a class session, please contact the Research & Instruction Department via email at reflib@gettysburg.edu. Tutorials can include an assessment with final results in Excel format.

Information Literacy at Musselman Library

What is information literacy?

Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.

Six Core Information Literacy Concepts

Our approach to developing students' information literacy skills is rooted in six core information literacy concepts. These concepts, and our local student learning outcomes, are informed by The Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education from the Association of College & Research Libraries.

1. Scholarship as a Conversation

Communities of scholars, researchers, or professionals engage in sustained discourse with new insights and discoveries occurring over time as a result of varied perspectives and interpretations.

2. Research as Inquiry

Research is iterative and depends on asking increasingly complex or new questions whose answers in turn develop additional questions or lines of inquiry within or between disciplines.

3. Searching as Strategic Exploration

Searching for information is often nonlinear, requiring the evaluation of a range of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue alternate avenues as new understanding develops. It requires using various search strategies, depending on the sources, scope, and context of the information need.

4. Authority is Constructed and Contextual

Information sources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility. Sources should be evaluated based on the information need, the context in which the information was created, and how the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required.

5. Information Creation as a Process

Information in any format is produced to convey a message and is shared via a selected delivery method. The iterative processes of researching, creating, revising, and disseminating information vary, and the resulting product reflects these differences.

6. Information Has Value

Information possess several dimensions of value, including as a commodity, as a means of education, as a means to influence, and as a means of negotiating and understanding the world. Legal and socioeconomic interests influence information production, dissemination, and access.

Student Learning Outcomes by Course Level

For ease of use, these outcomes are also available in table format as a printable PDF.

Scholarship as a Conversation

Understand that scholarship is a conversation in which meaning is created and debated by information creators and consumers over time
Understand that an issue may be represented by multiple perspectives and approaches
Recognize that information may be perceived differently based on the format in which it is presented

Research as Inquiry

Recognize that research is an iterative process that requires persistence, adaptability, and flexibility
Formulate research question of an appropriate scope for assignment or purpose

Searching as Strategic Exploration

Develop an effective search strategy by identifying key concepts or terms
Distinguish among information search tools (MUSCAT, article and citation databases, Google Scholar, and others)
Employ strategies to broaden/narrow search results (Boolean operators, search filters, etc.)
Access a source by using different retrieval methods (e.g., call numbers, Gett It button, interlibrary loan, etc.)

Authority is Constructed and Contextual

Critically examine information from various sources in order to evaluate accuracy, authority, currency, and point of view
Identify usefulness and relevancy of information sources for an assignment or purpose
Recognize a scholarly, peer-reviewed article and identify its key components

Information Creation as a Process

Distinguish among types of sources (e.g., books, journal articles, primary/secondary, scholarly/popular, etc.)
Describe the scholarly peer review process and how it impacts scholarly research
Use sources to support an argument or claim with evidence
Understand that sources may be perceived and valued differently based on their format as well as creation and dissemination processes

Information Has Value

Recognize when ideas need to be attributed to others and what is “common knowledge”
Identify citation elements and document sources accurately
Integrate the ideas of others through quoting and paraphrasing
Understand College policy on academic integrity and the Honor Code

Scholarship as a Conversation

Identify the contribution particular information sources make within an ongoing scholarly conversation
Engage with information in ways that demonstrate critical thinking and new understanding
Recognize that knowledge can be organized into disciplines that influence the way information is discovered and accessed

Research as Inquiry

Develop research question(s) based on curiosity, information gaps, and/or conflicting information
Evaluate information and explore multiple perspectives while maintaining an open mind and critical stance
Create or utilize a system for organizing and managing information sources
Articulate how information decisions/choices are made

Searching as Strategic Exploration

Effectively apply advanced search skills within disciplinary search tools, including specialized subject headings or facets
Identify information gaps or weaknesses and refine search strategies as necessary
Understand the interdisciplinary nature of research and how it impacts search strategies

Authority is Constructed and Contextual

Describe different types of authority, such as subject expertise, experience, societal position, etc.
Identify indicators of authority recognized by disciplines, professions, and communities of practice
Develop a self-awareness of personal bias and worldview and understand how that influences information interpretation
Recognize the cultural, physical, or other context within which information is created and how that context impacts interpretation

Information Creation as a Process

Articulate the capabilities and constraints of various processes of information creation within a discipline
Recognize that the information creation process may result in a range of information formats that vary by discipline
Select appropriate format (e.g., academic paper, digital project, poster, presentation) to communicate information based on audience and purpose

Information Has Value

Distinguish among different disciplinary conventions for citation and communication
Recognize issues related to information commodification (e.g., filter bubbles and search result personalization)
Identify and discuss issues related to open access and fee-based resources
Articulate the purpose and distinguish characteristics of copyright, fair use, and the public domain

Scholarship as a Conversation

Understand role as a contributor to a scholarly conversation rather than simply as a consumer
Recognize that participation in a scholarly conversation is impacted by power and authority structures, prioritizing certain voices and perspectives
Contribute to a scholarly conversation at an appropriate level and venue (e.g., undergraduate research journal article, poster presentation, etc.)

Research as Inquiry

Interpret, analyze, and synthesize information in order to form new knowledge
Determine an appropriate scope of investigation and apply advanced research strategies for the need, context, and type of inquiry

Searching as Strategic Exploration

Determine comprehensiveness of results by questioning the limits of search tools or strategies

Authority is Constructed and Contextual

Investigate differing viewpoints encountered in the literature and determine whether or not to incorporate or reject these ideas
Develop own authoritative voice in a particular area and understand the responsibilities this entails, including seeking accuracy and crediting the ideas of others
Understand the traditional notions of authority within a discipline and seek underrepresented voices

Information Creation as a Process

Employ traditional and/or emerging processes (e.g., digital scholarship) of information creation and dissemination within a particular discipline
Determine preferred level of copyright permissions when publishing/sharing own work

Information Has Value

Examine information privilege and how the production and dissemination of information may impact issues of access or lack of access
Follow legal and ethical guidelines in gathering data and using information
Identify and discuss issues related to censorship, freedom of speech, and access to information