News - December 15th, 2008
End of Semester Wrap Up – New Semester News!
If you are a faculty member who has created at least one instance of an Information Literacy Module in the past, we would like to draw your attention to a couple of pieces of helpful information as this semester draws to a close and the next awaits:
- Download scores from the last term and save to your computer.
If you have not already, we would suggest downloading scores from your instances and maintaining them with your student records.
- Make new instances.
We recommend creating new instances each term since scores are associated with specific instances permanently. Having spring term students use fall term instances would result in both sets of student data appearing on your score sheet. To make new instances, begin here: http://infolit.ucf.edu/faculty/getting-started/
- Update any URLs that link to the old instances.
Each instance URL ends with a unique ID number. You may simply change this number in order to update the URLs.
- Delete old instances.
In order to de-clutter your “My Instances” area, you might find it helpful to delete instances from previous semesters.
- Provide link to log-in information when you provide instance URLs.
Detailed information on logging in to the information literacy modules is available for students at http://infolit.ucf.edu/students/help/#article1
- Provide tech support links to students when you provide instance URLs.
Tech support for students (and faculty) is available through the Ask A Librarian service (http://library.ucf.edu/ask). Please encourage students to make contact with Ask A Librarian via phone, email, IM, or chat if they encounter any difficulties with content or technology. You might also refer students to the Frequently Asked Questions at http://infolit.ucf.edu/students/help. (If you choose to help students yourself, you might also find the faculty FAQs useful in addressing student issues: http://infolit.ucf.edu/faculty/faq.)
If you have any questions or concerns about implementing the information literacy modules in your classes, please send a message to infolit@mail.ucf.edu
Please visit http://infolit.ucf.edu/faculty/news to stay current on developments affecting the information literacy modules.
Also, if you have suggestions for improving the modules, or if you’d like to provide feedback on upcoming module topics, please visit http://infolit.ucf.edu/faculty/feedback.
To access the module go to http://infolit.ucf.edu/faculty/getting-started/
Additional modules will be released in May 2009.
If you have questions, please contact infolit@mail.ucf.edu.
Assigning Modules: Tips for Success
When assigning modules to your students, it may be helpful to include the following text along with the instance URL to the module:
Below are links to Information Literacy Modules that you will complete. You will login with your NID and your NID password.
If you don’t remember your NID, you can look it up here: https://my.ucf.edu/nid.html
If you’re unsure of your NID password, you can reset the password using this online form: https://www.secure.net.ucf.edu/extranet/reset/validation.aspx?type=nid
If you need help or have questions, you can use this FAQ: http://infolit.ucf.edu/students/help/ or contact the Ask a Librarian service: http://library.ucf.edu/Ask
Information Literacy Modules a Success!
During the first semester of release (Summer B, 2008), UCF’s information literacy modules successfully supported student learning. Sixty-nine faculty explored the information literacy modules, with 19 courses/special programs assigning one or more of the modules to their students, and four hundred sixty students accessed the modules. Reports from participating faculty and students indicate that the modules were relatively easy to set-up and use with very few identifying any technical problems. In fact, technical support logs indicate that only six students and only one faculty member contacted Ask A Librarian to report a problem. Faculty and students also report that the modules positively impacted student information literacy knowledge and skills.
To set-up modules for student use, see http://infolit.ucf.edu/faculty/getting-started
The Modules are here!
The wait is over! The Information Literacy Modules are here! We are excited to launch the first four Information Literacy Modules for immediate use in your courses.
We have established two options in which you can begin utilizing these modules to best suit your course.
Option 1: You may simply refer your students to a generic set of modules by providing your students with this URL Link http://infolit.ucf.edu/student/modules. This option will not allow you to access your students’ scores. This option should be used when you want your students to learn the material, but do not necessarily need to record their scores or know whether they have attempted the modules.
Option 2: You may create a specific version, or “instance” of a module that will have a unique URL that is specific to your course. This will create a unique URL for you to provide your students access. Through this method, you are able to view scores, upload them into WebCT (not required), and use these modules as scored assignments or extra credit. With this method you are able to access all the data and activity associated with your instance of the module.
To begin Option 2, please visit Getting Started for further instructions.
Additional modules are continuously being created. Should you have any ideas or suggestions for future module topics, please visit the Feedback Form and send us your thoughts!
Module Sneak Peak!
A much-requested information literacy module available this summer will be Avoiding Plagiarism.
In this module, students learn how to use direct and indirect quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing to avoid plagiarism. Students are given examples of parenthetical citations and works cited entries.
Basic Plagiarism (Click to see images larger)
Students learn about all kinds of plagiarism, including self-plagiarism and cyberplagiarism.
More Nuanced Forms of Plagiarism
Cut and paste plagiarism and violation of copyright are also addressed for students unaware that images from the internet cannot just be pasted into a paper without proper verification of terms of use and a correct citation.
Plagiarism with Internet Images
Module Sneak Peak!
Another of this summer’s new information literacy modules will be Citing Sources Using MLA Style. (Similar modules based on other style guides will be developed in the future. Feel free to voice your preferences using the Feedback page.)
The “Citing Sources” module teaches students how to correctly cite sources using MLA Style.
One of the interesting features of this module is the inclusion of interactive components that allow students to “drag-and-drop” the correct pieces of information needed to cite sources from images of each source. These simulation activities allow students to find relevant information in context just as they will in “real life.” Simulations include books, print journal articles, online journal articles, and web sites.
Book Simulation (Click to see images larger)
After identifying information needed for proper citation, students will then arrange the pieces of formatted information into the correct order for an MLA citation. The screen offers hints when a student is stuck, and gives feedback on the number of errors committed before the student moves on to the scored Assessment section.
Feedback for Book Simulation
Module Sneak Peak!
One of this summer’s new information literacy modules will be Evaluating Web Sites.
This module gives students five criteria to use to determine if a web site is reliable: accuracy, authority, currency, objectivity, and coverage.
Examples of real web sites are used and analyzed to help students critically evaluate the information they find on a daily basis. (Two excerpts appear below.)
Encyclopedia of Earth (Click to see images larger)
Wikipedia
In the Practice section of each module, students will encounter traditional multiple-choice questions that give students feedback on their answers prior to undertaking the scored Assessment section.
At the 2008 FCTL Summer Conference, on May 1 from 11:15am-12:15pm, Elizabeth Killingsworth and Kelvin Thompson will provide an update on the information literacy modules in a session entitled: How Information Literacy Modules Can Make Your Life Easier. Modules will be previewed and a draft copy of the “Faculty Implementation Guide” for the information literacy modules will be distributed to attendees.
Happy New Year! We are excited to be kicking off the year with another Faculty Feedback Session on January 15, 2008 from 10:00am-11:30am. Please register now to show your interest in providing your valuable feedback on the current progress of the modules.