Group

Submitted by Lisa Burgert on January 26th, 2017
Short Description: 

Students will participate in a game-based learning scenario based on Net Neutrality. Participants will each assume the role of an individual vested in the issue (Chairman of the FCC, President of the U.S., CEO of telecommunications company, or Supreme Court Justice). They will form alliances, discuss issues, formulate a strategy, and briefly share their viewpoint with the hope of winning the game. The learning experience is student lead.

Attachments: 
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In Class Discussion Worksheet 1displayed 1251 times49.71 KB
In Class Discussion Worksheet 2displayed 1037 times52.09 KB
Evaluation of the Gamedisplayed 971 times57.63 KB
Lesson Plandisplayed 1096 times124.04 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Students will synthesize ideas gathered from multiple sources, and draw reasonable conclusions based on the analysis and interpretation of information of their biographical, corporate information, and research on Net Neutrality demonstrated through discussion with other stakeholders. (Research as Inquiry) • Students will recognize that a given scholarly work may not represent the only perspective on the issue by communicating with others during role-playing game with different opinions/viewpoints. (Scholarship as Conversation).

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This lesson was designed for the Library 103: Information Literacy 3-unit credit course. It is designed as a major research project involving role-playing over multiple weeks in a semester long class. This is the second part of a three part series. In part one students are introduced to the project and the “All-But-The-Term-Paper” assignment. Part three groups or individual students give their presentations, there is a ruling on who wins the game, and a debrief of the game. With modifications the lesson can be adapted to single 90-minute session.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

This is student lead and directed. Students discuss, collaborate, and present the information.

Suggested Citation: 
Burgert, Lisa. "Social Justice Role Playing Game: Net Neutrality Lesson Plan- Part 2." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/social-justice-role-playing-game-net-neutrality-lesson-plan-part-2.
Submitted by Margaret Brown-Salazar on January 26th, 2017
Short Description: 

Created by M. Brown-Salazar Saint Mary's College of CA This lesson was developed to have graduate level students explore social justice issues in information found on the internet. It is based on Dr. Safiya Noble's work: Algorithms of Oppression. Simplified, we asked students to consider that when we seek information, we need to examine the perspective/privilege of the voices/sources of information and identify/understand whose voices are represented and whose voices are missing and how that impacts/influences our understanding. Students were asked to consider issues we uncovered in relationship to themselves personally, as students and also also professional practitioners. We used clips from a lecture by Dr. Noble to stimulate discussion and asked to students to critically examine results of google image searches as an illustration of inequities. Students completed a survey as assessment.

Attachments: 
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2016 2017 Seeking Social Justice in Information Lesson Plan Master's Level Students.docxdisplayed 1078 times32.54 KB
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Pre-session Handoutdisplayed 1094 times25.63 KB
In Class Assignmentdisplayed 957 times16.76 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Learning Objectives (include SMC institutional learning outcomes, ACRL Standards, Framework, or others) Students understand that Google is the dominate search engine. Students understand that most internet searchers believe the information they find is trustworthy, accurate, unbiased, credible Students understand that search engine algorithms are based on criteria for increasing advertising and marketing and not criteria to provide the best information available to answer their search query SRIL 1 Students understand that there are influences (social, political, economic, …) that shape social justice issues in information retrieval SRIL 1 Students can articulate a personal or professional practice that they could develop to become more critical consumers of information specifically as it relates to internet search results SRIL 1 SRIL 2 Students can articulate one action they might take to make the issue of social justice in information more apparent to others

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This was a new unit added to a series of 3 information literacy sessions that graduates students complete in their Research Seminar course. The intention is to extend a lesson plan on using the internet for research to have students consider "the social, political, economic, and corporate systems that have power and influence over information production, dissemination, access, and consumption." (Gregory, L. and Higgins, S. (Eds.) (2013). Information literacy and social justice: Radical professional praxis. Sacramento, CA: Library Juice Press.) .

Assessment or Criteria for Success
(e.g. rubric, guidelines, exemplary sample paper, etc.): 
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2016 2017 SeekingSocialJusticeinInformationAssessmentWorksheet.docxdisplayed 846 times15.61 KB
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Although I asked students to watch the Noble video before the session - NO ONE did that! As I reconsider, I think it works fine without the pre-session video - I removed it from subsequent instruction sessions. This instruction takes on its own unique life with each group - it is fascinating. I am fortunate to work with faculty who allowed the session to take as long as it took. One session concluded and 15 minutes later students were still in the room talking about it in small groups on their own.

Suggested Citation: 
Brown-Salazar, Margaret. "Seeking Social Justice in Information | Graduate Counseling, Leadership and Education Students." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/seeking-social-justice-information-graduate-counseling-leadership-and-education-students.
Submitted by Margaret Brown-Salazar on January 26th, 2017
Short Description: 

Created by M. Brown-Salazar & G. Kessler Lee Saint Mary's College of Ca Library This lesson was developed to have students explore social justice issues in information found on the internet. It is based on Dr. Safiya Noble's work: Algorithms of Oppression. Simplified, we asked students to consider that when we seek information, we need to examine the perspective/privilege of the voices/sources of information and identify/understand whose voices are represented and whose voices are missing and how that impacts/influences our understanding. We used clips from a lecture by Dr. Noble to stimulate discussion and asked to students to critically examine results of google image searches as an illustration of inequities. Students created a shared file with images and thoughts that represented what they learned.

Learning Outcomes: 

Learning Objectives (include SMC institutional learning outcomes, ACRL Standards, Framework, or others) Students understand that when you Google search your bias, your results will match your bias (SMC: IERP 2) Students understand that Google is the dominant search engine. Students understand that most internet searchers believe the information they find is trustworthy, accurate, unbiased, credible Students understand that search engine algorithms are based on criteria for increasing advertising and marketing and not criteria to provide the best information available to answer their search query (SMC:IERP 2) Students can articulate the impact of this content/topic on them Students can articulate one action they might take to make the issue of social justice in information more apparent to others Framework: All: Research as Inquiry, Searching as Strategic Exploration, Information Has Value

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

Session integrated into the High Potential First Year Advising Cohort curriculum.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

In-class Exercise

Suggested Citation: 
Brown-Salazar, Margaret. "Social Justice in Information | First Year: High Potential Students." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/social-justice-information-first-year-high-potential-students.
Submitted by Elisa Acosta on January 25th, 2017
Short Description: 

In an effort to provide students with an open space to learn about and discuss recent national concerns over “fake news,” the library offered four sessions of the workshop “Keepin’ It Real: Tips & Strategies for Evaluating Fake News” during a campus-wide Inauguration Teach-In on Friday, January 20, 2017. During this session, students had the opportunity to talk about how misleading news sources (encompassing misinformation, disinformation, click-bait, propaganda, etc.) have affected their views on civil discourse, specifically relating to the recent U.S. presidential election. By the end of the session, we hope students became more confident in their ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability of news reports, whether they come via print, television or the internet.

Attachments: 
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Lesson Plan displayed 4667 times612.04 KB
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Activity #1displayed 4063 times143.59 KB
PowerPointdisplayed 2950 times496.98 KB
Handout / Activity #2displayed 3323 times185.37 KB
Handout / Activity #2displayed 3233 times126.82 KB
Activity #2 Answer Key / Additional Instructions displayed 61 times15.7 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Students will practice techniques for evaluating the credibility of news stories.
• Students will reflect upon their reactions to stories and practice identifying and distinguishing between their emotional responses and logical analyses of the items.
• Students will learn the value of information and sources from multiple perspectives.
• Students will become credible, trustworthy publishers in the digital age (sharing news).

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

The campus-wide breakout sessions were from 11:00-12:30pm (1.5 hours). Faculty were encouraged to cancel classes 8am-12:30pm so that students could watch the Inauguration together and attend one breakout session.

• Inauguration Day Teach-in website:  https://web.archive.org/web/20180117195647/http://academics.lmu.edu/teachin/breakoutsessions/

The library decided to offer four 45-minute break out sessions. Approximately 90 students attended. Several staff members and faculty attended also.

• Library Breakout Session Description: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20170113072807/https://librarynews.lmu.edu/2017/01/keepin-real-tips-strategies-evaluating-fake-news/

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Activity #2 could be spun off into a reflective assignment for students to critically examine their own news media consumption and information behaviors.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

We had too much material for a 45-minute workshop. Perhaps 60-90 minutes is more realistic. Set aside more time for student discussion. As time marches on, choose a more timely "Fake News" story for Activity #1.

Suggested Citation: 
Acosta, Elisa. "Keepin It Real: Tips and Strategies for Evaluating Fake News." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/keepin-it-real-tips-and-strategies-evaluating-fake-news.
Submitted by Cristy Moran on January 19th, 2017
Short Description: 

Students will be exposed to various entry points of a sustainability topic in various formats. They will take notes as they experience those expressions on the Elements of Thought evidenced throughout. This in-class, two-part lesson includes an independent guided activity and a Think-Pair-Share activity for further reflection on source/ claimant evaluation. Prior to this lesson, instructor will have chosen a topic relevant to their subject area or course content – Possible examples: food deserts, clean water in US, bee colony collapse. Instructor will also have selected (commenting on this topic directly): • One short-form video product (I.e. TED Talk, video essay, documentary clip, recorded speech, or other topical video informational product) • One published essay, opinion editorial, or commentary • One informative (unbiased) article or reference entry. The duration of the in-class activities for this lesson is approximately 60-75 minutes. Length and difficulty of content should be considered when selecting the examples.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
EXAMPLE QEP and IL Lesson - ENC1102.docxdisplayed 1063 times15.04 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Students will closely listen and/or read information in order to recognize elements of thought • Students will identify key components of written/ oral arguments for point of view, purpose, question at issue, information, interpretation and inference, concepts, assumptions, and implications and consequences • Students will determine their information need (next steps for research) based on notes

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This lesson was created as a possible proposal for embedding in a freshman level composition course with a thematic focus on sustainability as a part of the college's QEP (theme: critical thinking). The theme for this lesson is highly adaptable, as are the individual sources. The Elements of Thought referred to throughout the activity are from www.criticalthinking.org and the Paul-Elder Model for Critical Thinking.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Find additional resources on the Paul-Elder Critical Thinking models on https://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm

Suggested Citation: 
Moran, Cristy. "Critical Thinking in Action: Sustainability ." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/critical-thinking-action-sustainability.
Submitted by Laura Massa on January 5th, 2017
Short Description: 

In small groups students give a presentation examining how the popular media reports scientific findings.

Attachments: 
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Science in the Media presentations assignment & rubricdisplayed 1821 times19.28 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Discriminate between scholarly and popular modes of knowledge through an understanding of the peer review process. • Engage critically and reflectively in scholarly discourse. • Exercise critical thinking in oral discussion and writing.

Individual or Group:

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Before I introduce the assignment I ask students to rate how accurately they believe that the popular media reports scientific findings. After all of the presentations have been given, I ask them to rate this again, and engage in a bit of reflective writing. I ask them explain why their rating has stayed the same or changed, how they will approach science in the media moving forward, and what they think the main take-aways from this assignment have been. We then discuss those take-away messages-- which usually results in a much broader and deeper understanding of information sources.

Suggested Citation: 
Massa, Laura. "Science in the Media." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/science-media.
Submitted by Candice Benjes-Small on November 17th, 2016
Short Description: 

As people rely more and more on social media to get their news, the filter bubble becomes increasingly problematic. In this workshop, students learn how to evaluate whether a news site is reliable. This group activity takes about 30 minutes and can be used for many different audiences by adjusting the examples used.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Evaluating news worksheet.docxdisplayed 13563 times16.96 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Students will be able to identify characteristics of credible news sources. • Students will critically examine news sources to determine credibility.

Information Literacy concepts:

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

The workshop opened with an ice breaker, having students brainstorm three things they look for when deciding whether a news Website is believable. They did a quick pair-and-share, and then I recorded what they said on the white board. Next, I broke them into teams of two and asked each to look at two Websites and complete a worksheet. In our lesson, Source A was a Reuters news article and Source B was a Bipartisan Report article. Both are on the same story, although Source A correctly identifies it as happening in January 2016 while B plays it as if it just happened (October 2016). The worksheet included questions which showed similarities as well as differences. It took about 15-20 minutes for the students to complete the worksheets; then we discussed the answers. Talking points: Source A is a Reuters news report, while Source B is from a muckraking site. Both are on the same story, although Source A correctly identifies it as happening in January 2016 while B plays it as if it just happened (published Oct 2016). Discuss which criteria made a difference in judging the credibility- and which weren’t important- notably, the domain name, the advertising presence,a nd the date were not significant. Note that it’s best when the reporter has done the reporting themselves, not just repeating other media outlets’ reports. Would people on the left be more willing to believe the bipartisan report because it fits into their worldview? We need to be careful to avoid confirmation bias: believing a source is legit because we want to believe what it says. Opinion journalism is a good and valuable resource but it’s different from NEWS. With opinion journalism, you need to verify the facts in the story. In opinion pieces, they are making an argument and you need to analyze it. After the discussion, I had students brainstorm three criteria they would now use to evaluate a news source. They shared out, and then I collected them for a quick assessment later.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Teaching Tips: After pairing up the students, have one look at Source A, while the other looks at Source B, and then compare the two to answer the worksheet questions. To find other sample articles, check out http://mediabiasfactcheck.com and Melissa Zimdars's list of unreliable news sites: http://tinyurl.com/j9tldck Potential Pitfalls: When selecting an article, choose one that is controversial but not inflammatory to your audience

Collaborators: 
Suggested Citation: 
Benjes-Small, Candice. "Evaluating news sites: Credible or Clickbait?." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/evaluating-news-sites-credible-or-clickbait.
Submitted by Jacob Berg on November 4th, 2016
Short Description: 

There is a large body of research on corporate ownership and control of traditional media, such as print, television, and radio. Comparatively, research about corporate control of what we see online is underdeveloped, yet search engines are often the first place students uncritically look for research as opposed to the library website, catalogs, and discovery services. Dr. Safiya Noble shows that Google image searches for black women often perpetuate and reinforce dominant narratives involving racism and misogyny. As Google is often seen as neutral, such search results are presented as “natural,” the way things are, when in fact they are the products of capitalism, hegemonic patriarchy, and white supremacy. Interrogating results such as these is one goal of this lesson plan, along with getting students to think critically about, to problematize, the everyday tools used in the research process and to explore links between capitalism and racism, misogyny, and homophobia.

Attachments: 
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vol2_chapter 11.pdfdisplayed 2769 times295.04 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Articulate clearly how algorithms such as PageRank influence information-seeking behavior and search results. Explain Google’s data security and privacy issues. Create searches that show critical thinking and awareness of how Google works.

Individual or Group:

Suggested Citation: 
Berg, Jacob. "Googling Google: Search Engines as Market Actors ." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/googling-google-search-engines-market-actors.
Submitted by Ryer Banta on November 2nd, 2016
Short Description: 

This lesson introduces undergraduates to personal digital archiving (PDA) as an instructional bridge to research data management. PDA is the study of how people organize, maintain, use and share personal digital information in their daily lives. PDA skills closely parallel research data management skills, with the added benefit of being directly relevant to undergraduate students, most of whom manage complex personal digital content on a daily basis. By teaching PDA, librarians encourage authentic learning experiences that immediately resonate with students' day-to-day activities. Teaching PDA builds a foundation of knowledge that not only helps students manage their personal digital materials, but can be translated into research data management skills that will enhance students' academic and professional careers. This lesson was developed by Sara Mannheimer and Ryer Banta and is licensed CC-BY 4.0.

Learning Outcomes: 

Students will apply file naming conventions, folder structure and other data management standards to their own digital files. Students will explain the significance and impact of data management, and lack thereof, for personal, school and work digital files.

Information Literacy concepts:

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

Initially this was developed for face to face course, but has also been used for online classes.

Suggested Citation: 
Banta, Ryer. "Everyday Data Management." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/everyday-data-management.
Submitted by Carolyn Caffrey on August 25th, 2016
Short Description: 

This group activity can be used in a variety of disciplines and contexts. Pass the Problem aims to have students provide feedback to other students on database and keyword selection. By having students critique each other it works to build critical self-reflection during the research process (it's also pretty fun!).

Attachments: 
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Pass the Problem.docxdisplayed 4606 times24.33 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Strategically select a database appropriate for their research topics Brainstorm keywords appropriate to a given research topic Evaluate the effectiveness of searching language

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This activity was part of a larger class session focused on preparing students for their interdisciplinary research projects. At this point in the semester students did not yet have their own research topics. It also took place outside of a computer classroom where not all students had laptops. Students break up into groups of 3-4 students. You can make as many topics as you want. For a class of 25 I created 4 topic options. Each group receives 5-10 minutes to complete each segment. When the timer is up they switch with a group. No one should receive the paper they start with until the very end. At the end of the activity we come back as a class and discuss how it went and what strategies they might implement in their own research processes. (I first heard about the idea of passing a problem in an interactive way from Sarah Lucchesi and Jenn Sams from Michigan Tech at Lake Superior Libraries Symposium, this is inspired by their idea.)

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Tips: Activity works well when paired with additional content. You can mix up the questions or add more. Pitfall: Choosing approachable topics with lots of keywords options. It can be hard to have students easily trade papers in classrooms set up with rows, you may need to facilitate the passing.

Suggested Citation: 
Caffrey, Carolyn . "Pass the Problem." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/pass-problem.

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