The Miami University Libraries now offer learning materials to faculty and staff through our Learning Object REpository (LORE). “LORE is a go-to searchable tool for anyone teaching students information literacy - searching, evaluating and incorporating sources,” explained Lindsay Miller, assistant head of advise & instruct department.
The Association of College & Research Libraries defines information literacy as “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.” Information literacy is essential for lifelong learning and encourages students to continue applying these concepts well after college.
Teaching students about information literacy helps in a multitude of ways including:
- building confidence in evaluating sources,
- understanding the steps in the research process, and
- teaching how information is created.
LORE brings together a collection of Miami University Librarians’ teaching materials. These objects are available for instructors to embed information literacy ideas in their lessons. Examples of materials include in-class activities on website evaluation and topic selection, guides to help students conduct literature reviews, presentation slides from library sessions, makerspace lessons, and more.
“Our hope,” Miller says, “is that faculty can quickly find activities, assignments or other learning objects that will help their students grow as researchers and find the best sources for their project or assignment.” Explore the repository for information literacy teaching ideas and materials to utilize in your classes. If you have any questions contact Jaclyn Spraetz at spraetj@miamioh.edu.