Uses Information (ACRL 4, SCONUL 7, ANZIL 5, ANCIL 8&9)

Submitted by Carolyn Caffrey on April 18th, 2018
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Short Description: 

This activity is designed to support teaching at the intersections of scholarly communication and information literacy. The choose-your-own scenario activity, designed in LibWizard, can be used in a flipped classroom setting or in a traditional classroom. The choose-your-own scenario activity is inspired by and adapts questions from: Hare, S. & Evanson, C. (2018). Information privilege outreach for undergraduate students. College and Research Libraries. From 2018-2020 this took the place of an interactive survey with skip logic. In 2020, this was substanitally revised to use LibWizard, incorporate short videos, and still provide scenario-based learning. 

Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to:

    • Describe barriers to accessing published research 
    • Articulate benefits to alternative publishing models like open access
Discipline: 
Multidisciplinary

Individual or Group:

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

The activity is marketed during Open Access Week and incorporated into information literacy sessions by librarians.

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

Some suggestions for integrating and scaffolding the content:

 

Follow up with a traditional library workshop on finding scholarly information and having students take note of whether or not it is freely available by analyzing the journal and using plug-ins like Unpaywall

Collaborators: 
Suggested Citation: 
Caffrey, Carolyn . "Access, Power, & Privilege." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/access-power-privilege.
Submitted by Sarah Ralston on November 15th, 2017
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Short Description: 

This activity/assignment was designed for a first year composition course in collaboration with an English/Writing instructor. It could be used in an information literacy credit course, First Year Experience course, or in another discipline-specific context. The purpose of the lesson is to lay the foundation for students to be able to read scholarly work more effectively and critically.
Students are given instruction on reading a scholarly article and directed to look for key pieces of information such as research question or hypothesis, methods, participants or data sources, key findings, and limitations of the study. The instructor then shows an infographic (prepared in advance) showing those key pieces of information in a concise, visual format. Students are introduced to an online infographic maker such as easel.ly or piktochart, and directed to create their own infographic on the article as practice.
The graded assignment is for students to create an infographic on a scholarly article of their choosing, relevant to a larger research assignment in the composition (or other) course (e.g. an annotated bibliography).

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Lesson plan, background prep, and assignment instructionsdisplayed 1971 times18.43 KB
"Parts of a Scholarly Article" Handout and Sample Infographicdisplayed 2766 times703.54 KB
Handout&Sample.pptxdisplayed 1938 times703.54 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

1. Students will be able to identify the components of a scholarly journal article in order to become familiar with common structures of research articles.
2. Students will be able to locate the key pieces of information (hypothesis or research question, methodology, participants or data sources, findings, and limitations) in a scholarly journal article in order to read for understanding.
3. Students will be able to present the key pieces of information from a scholarly article in a visual format using infographic or other online creation tools.

Individual or Group:

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

This assignment was created for a first year composition course in collaboration with the instructor. She wanted to use infographics as a method for teaching multimodal writing, and I wanted a strategy for showing how to read scholarly articles. This activity was conducted on my second visit to class, so students already had instruction on source types and characteristics of scholarly articles. We'd also had a discussion about the concept Scholarship as a Conversation. I spent the class time following the lesson plan as written, and the following class day the students had time in the computer lab with their instructor to create their own infographics. The final essay for the class is an argumentative essay, requiring 5 sources, 2 of which must be scholarly. An infographic summarizing one of the scholarly articles is required as an attachment to the essay.

Suggested Citation: 
Ralston, Sarah. "Scholarly Articles: Reading for Understanding." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/scholarly-articles-reading-understanding.
Submitted by Desirae Zingarelli-Sweet on August 9th, 2017
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Short Description: 

This assignment is designed to encourage students in introductory-level religious studies classes to check the assumptions they bring to the subject matter and to develop their critical inquiry skills in this area through close examination of primary text passages. The primary textual sources used may be contemporary or historical, depending on the course context.

The assignment consists of two sequenced exercises:
Part one. In-class writing exercise analyzing an unidentified passage (1-2 pages)
Part two. Reflection and expanded analysis of the identified passage using scholarly sources (3-4 pages)

Document includes student learning objectives, assignment description (for instructors), assignment instructions with checklist (for students), additional questions for reflection or discussion, and example primary source passages for use in the exercises.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Reflective Primary Source Assignment for Religious Studiesdisplayed 2371 times51.23 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Build critical analytical skills for religious studies by using existing knowledge to analyze a primary text, then by incorporating secondary information with closer reading.
• Reflect on the utility, limits, and origins of their first observations and assumptions to cultivate intellectual humility and begin to develop an awareness of their own cultural and religious positionality.
• Find and use secondary/tertiary scholarly sources to contextualize their reading of the primary text, deepen their analysis, and learn to value their use when interpreting primary texts in religious studies.
• Begin to place religious expressions, traditions, dynamics and power structures in the context of historical, cultural, social, political, and/or economic phenomena.

Individual or Group:

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

In-class primary source analysis only (Part I): great for library instruction sessions

Suggested Citation: 
Zingarelli-Sweet, Desirae. "Checking Our Baggage: Reflective Primary Text Analysis for Religious Studies." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/checking-our-baggage-reflective-primary-text-analysis-religious-studies.
Submitted by Lua Gregory on August 8th, 2017
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Short Description: 

This small group zine-making activity can be adapted for any discipline.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Zines for the People.pdfdisplayed 5732 times328.16 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

1. To create, distribute, and use information as a means to effect change
2. Use positions of information privilege in order to make information more equitably accessible and/or available

Discipline: 
Multidisciplinary

Individual or Group:

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

Zine making materials: Markers, pens, pencils, scissors, tape, glue, stapler, magazines, and paper. Access to copy machine.

Collaborators: 
Suggested Citation: 
Gregory, Lua. "Zines for the People." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2017. https://projectcora.org/assignment/zines-people.
Submitted by Cristy Moran on January 19th, 2017
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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 905 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

Discipline: 
Multidisciplinary

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

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 
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 Steve Gerstle on July 12th, 2016
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Short Description: 

Using ProQuest SIRS Issues Researcher or similar database, groups of students work together to find and read four informative magazine articles representing a variety of opinions on a topic. For each magazine article they write an MLA citation. In an oral presentation of less than three minutes per group, they summarize the controversy without giving their own opinions and explain why they chose the four articles. Students are told to be prepared to answer questions about their topic and why they selected each of the four articles. Students are given basic instruction on writing an MLA citation and using a database.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
SIRSTopicsBlank.docxdisplayed 1360 times14.58 KB
ESL 52A SIRS Assignment.docxdisplayed 1586 times16.57 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Develop successful search strategies appropriate for specific tools. Locate, evaluate, synthesize, organize and present credible information that fulfills the identified information need.

Individual or Group:

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

Can be adapted for higher level ESL classes.

Assessment or Criteria for Success
(e.g. rubric, guidelines, exemplary sample paper, etc.): 
AttachmentSize
ESL 52 Assessment.docxdisplayed 998 times14.22 KB
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Students tend to summarize the articles rather than the controversy. Also, students tend to want to give their own opinions. It is important to stress that they are to summarize the controversy and different perspectives. I sometimes have them think of it as a work assignment. The boss is a very busy person and wants you to research the topic and provide an executive summary. It is a challenging assignment, but I have found that the students rise to the challenge.

Suggested Citation: 
Gerstle, Steve. "Summarizing different perspectives on a controversial topic." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/summarizing-different-perspectives-controversial-topic.
Submitted by Dennis Isbell on April 1st, 2016
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Short Description: 

A brief two page handout on how to read abstracts for scholarly journals for lower division undergraduates in particular. Examples include one from social sciences and one from humanities.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Scholarly Journal Abs Handout1-16Rev.docxdisplayed 1472 times56.9 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Evaluating Sources

Individual or Group:

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

First-year composition classes. Introduced when students were searching then selecting scholarly journal articles for their research paper assignments.

Suggested Citation: 
Isbell, Dennis. "Making Sense of Scholarly Journal Abstracts." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/making-sense-scholarly-journal-abstracts.
Submitted by Ryne Leuzinger on March 13th, 2016
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Short Description: 

This workshop provides an introduction to creating infographics using Piktochart and includes advice on selecting a design, incorporating data, and structuring a story.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Infographics Workshop.docxdisplayed 924 times325.84 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

1. Participants will view and critique examples of infographics, in order to gain exposure to best practices in infographic design. 2. Participants will utilize the basic features of Piktochart, in order to gain experience employing best practices in infographic design.

Discipline: 
Multidisciplinary

Individual or Group:

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

This workshop was created as an offering of the Savvy Researcher workshop series at the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign [http://www.library.illinois.edu/sc/services/savvy_researcher.html]

Suggested Citation: 
Leuzinger, Ryne. "Infographics Workshop." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/infographics-workshop.
Submitted by Lani Smith on February 17th, 2016
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Short Description: 

Students create an entry in the Fremont Wiki - http://localwiki.net/fremont. Students incorporate information literacy concepts, have hands-on experience conducting research, and create actual content on the Internet [while also learning how easy it is for anyone to change that content]. It could also be a great chance to get students into local museums and archives.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
create a fremont wiki entry.docdisplayed 991 times537.5 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

coming soon

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

This would be greatly strengthened taught in a learning community. Could work well with English, History, Journalism, LGBT History, and more.

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

If there isn't one in your town, a LocalWiki is easy to set up. You can also contact the folks who run it who graciously supply their wonderful support. https://localwiki.org One of the exciting things this does is to get some of this history out of the archives into to a wider audience. See Oakland Wiki http://oaklandwiki.org/ for an incredibly dynamic example.

Suggested Citation: 
Smith, Lani. "Create an entry in a LocalWiki." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/create-entry-localwiki.
Submitted by Lindsey McLean on January 5th, 2016
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Short Description: 

This assignment was designed to incorporate information literacy concepts into an in depth writing assignment. By only focusing on a total of one outside source at a time, students are required to do deep research to find the one source that they can engage with on the level required for a good essay. Requiring a small number of sources also allows the students to practice incorporating outside material into their own writing and thinking and allows the instructor to see progress in this area.

Exercise One:

Choose a phenomenon, situation, or event that relates to family life in the United States. Examples of this could be gay marriage, international adoption, divorce, immigration, or a phenomenon that has directly impacted your own family. Find one scholarly source written by a sociologist related to your topic and write a 1200 word essay (+/- 10%) that describes the phenomenon as you understand it, identifies how it is connected to family life in the United States, why you are interested in it, the ideas presented by the author of the source, and how those ideas add to your knowledge or understanding of the phenomenon. Cite your source properly in text using ASA style and include a full ASA citation for it at the end or your paper.

Exercise Two:

Find a second scholarly source written by a sociologist on the phenomena you selected. Write a 600 (+/- 10%) word addendum to your original essay that details the ideas presented by the second scholar and how these ideas further enhance or complicate your understanding of the phenomena. Cite your sources properly in text using ASA style and include a full ASA citation for your sources at the end or your paper.

Library Instruction:This exercise would benefit from a library instruction session focused on the first learning outcome – identifying scholarly sources and finding discipline specific information

  • Discussion of identifying scholarly sources (ending with the three-point test for scholarly information: peer-reviewed or extensively edited, included citations, written by a scholar from within the discipline)
  • Finding scholarly sources using discipline specific tools (for sociology: Sociological Abstracts, Social Science Citation Index)
Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Writing, Analysis, and Disciplinary Discourse Learning Sequence - McLean.docxdisplayed 953 times18.5 KB
Learning Outcomes: 
  1. Students will be able to identify and find scholarly sources within a specific discipline.
  2. Students will be able to thoughtfully and ethically integrate discipline specific scholarly sources into their writing.

Individual or Group:

Suggested Citation: 
McLean, Lindsey. "Writing, Analysis, and Disciplinary Discourse." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2016. https://projectcora.org/assignment/writing-analysis-and-disciplinary-discourse.

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