The story of GAeL (Graduate Attributes eLearning): Embedding Information Literacy through Critical Skills, Collaboration and a new Curriculum
Lorna Dodd & Dr Brian McKenzieMaynooth University
CONUL Conference, June 1-2, 2016, Athlone
Key Conditions for Collaboration
Seismic shift in curriculum
Interdisciplinary
learning
Resource scarcity
Commitment to information
literacy
A new curriculum with a key focus on critical skills
Maynooth University Graduate Attributes
“…graduates are expected to be… capable of gathering and critiquing information from a variety of sources” (Maynooth University, 2014)
Deep Knowledge &
Critical intellectual
skills
Autonomous and
responsible learners
Breadth of perspective
Skills for life and work
A Maynooth Education
Content Vs Skills
Information Literacy
Problem Solving
Independent Learning
Critical Thinking
Analysis
Reflection
Communication Skills
Understand academic standards
Ethical Responsibility
Critical Skills in the new Curriculum
An opportunity for the Library to be heard….
1. Managing the transition and becoming an independent learner
2. Mapping and evaluating the information landscape
3. Researching within the disciplines4. Managing and presenting information5. Understanding the ethical and social
dimensions of information
Five Key Competencies
• Mapping & evaluating the information landscape
• Managing & presenting information
•Managing the transition
•Understanding ethical & social dimensions of information
• Researching within the disciplines
Deep Knowledge &
Critical intellectual
skills
Autonomous and
responsible learners
Breadth of perspective
Skills for life and work
Information Literacy Framework for ‘A Maynooth Education’
Train the trainer – master classes for tutors
Guides and supports illustrating how information literacy can be integrated with other critical skills and embedded into content
Tutorials and quizzes that can be customised and embedded into Moodle
Instructional videos and online guides
Embedding information literacy evaluation into assessment
New Resources
Collaboration Affects Curriculum: Writing Wikipedia
Feedback, Confidence, Team Work
IL, ICT
“The entropic library is one in which the library is not only a physical destination and an institutional cornerstone, but also is a gravitational force in the digital scholarly life of the campus.” Andrew Ashton, Director of the Libraries, Vassar College
Collaboration Affects Curriculum: Writing Wikipedia
Wikipedia Critical Skills Group Project
“The student essay is a twitch in a
void. A compressed outpouring of
energy—if we’re lucky—that
means nothing to no one.”
Mark Sample, Davidson College
Assessment Rubric
Managing the transition and becoming an independent learner
Managing and presenting information
Mapping and evaluating the information landscape
Researching within the disciplines
Understanding the ethical and social dimensions of information
Teaching FellowshipA suite of tutorials, videos and guides that support the
development and assessment of key
Information Literacy skills and the
Maynooth Graduate Attributes
GAeL (Graduate Attributes eLearning)
1. Using problem solving to find relevant information2. Critically thinking to evaluate information and its
source3. Framing your Research Question4. Understanding Plagiarism5. Paraphrasing Vs. Quoting6. Referencing information appropriately using
bibliographic software7. From Research to Writing
The new curriculum opened
up a new model for collaboration…..
…moving away from the traditional Library model of
disciplinary service
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