Promoting Information Literacy in Leadership Studies Challenges and

Promoting Information Literacy in Leadership Studies: Challenges and Solutions A poster presentation delivered at the 10 th annual conference of the International Leadership Association Nov. 12 -15, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA by Jim Wolford-Ulrich, Ph. D. Duquesne University

About Duquesne • Founded 1878 by Spiritan order of priests – Private (Catholic); coeducational • Distinctives of the Spiritan charism: – outreach, education, inclusivity • Over 10, 000 students in 10 Schools – 57% undergraduate / 43% graduate “We serve God by serving students"

SLPA: Background • School of Leadership & Professional Advancement (SLPA) founded in 1983 – Total current enrollment: 1, 011 students – Offers 1 bachelors degree and 5 masters degrees • Student demographics – 50%+ Graduate Students – 50%+ Online – Non-traditional learners

SLPA: Background • Faculty demographics – 50%+ practitioners – 85%+ part-time faculty – Wide geographic distribution • Other contextual factors – Multiple delivery formats – Promote information literacy and library usage – Promote academic integrity

Information Literacy • Middle States and ACRL Expectations of Library Profession and Accrediting Bodies – Information Literacy in Every Program – http: //www. msche. org/publications/Developing-Skills 080111151714. pdf – Discipline and Level Specific Standards – http: //www. ala. org/ala/acrlstandards/standardsguidelines. cfm

Info Literacy Dimensions • Framing the Research Question • Accessing & Evaluating Sources • Evaluating Content • Using Info for a Specific Purpose • Using Information Responsibly Source: http: //www. msche. org/publications/Developing-Skills 080111151714. pdf

TOOLS DEVELOPED AT DUQUESNE FOR HELPING GRADUATE STUDENTS IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES

Student Resources • Special Blackboard Site for All Incoming Graduate Leadership Students Included Features: – Leadership “Quicklinks” Tool – Library Resource Web Page for SLPA – Google Scholar Integration – APA Helps; Ref. Share Starter List – 5 Webinars (delivered live, then archived)

Library Webinars • Five 45 -min Interactive Sessions – Using the “Quick. Links” Document – Accessing Library E-Resources – Searching Databases – APA Helps – Ref. Works & Ref. Share • Offered “Live” Each Semester • Multiple Times; Archives Saved Led by Reference Librarian

Leveraging the LMS

Formative Evaluation • Library Webinar Survey Findings • Students are busy − Advance notice needed! − Shorter is better • Uneven faculty participation / promotion • Students use Google! • Google Scholar is under-used • Technology still an issue

Critical Success Factors • A Shared Vision and Direction • A Partnership Approach – Identify roles and responsibilities for the School / department, faculty, students, and the Library • Appropriate Use of Technology • Integration Across Curriculum • Learning Assessment

Future Directions • Helps for Students and Faculty: – More discrete topics, modular approach • Developmentally appropriate goals • Broad faculty participation • Easy Web access – Student Self-Assessment – “Job Aids” for Faculty – Investigate / integrate new technologies

Download this presentation and all Information Literacy tools developed: http: //www. inflectionpoints. com/ila