A description and overview of the 'New Curriculum for Information Literacy' project research (Cambridge, May-July 2011). Presentation given at the JISC Regional Support Centre 'Empowering the Digital Native' conference, 20 October 2011.

1. A New Curriculum for
Information Literacy
Jane Secker & Emma Coonan
Image: ‘Tulip staircase at the Queens House, Greenwich’ by mcginnly,
flickr.com

2. The Arcadia Programme
• Based at Cambridge University Library
• Academic advisor: John Naughton
• Exploring the role of academic libraries in a digital age
• 20 Arcadia Fellows in 3 years
• Many from outside Cambridge, not all librarians

3. Our research remit:
Develop a new, revolutionary curriculum for
information literacy in a digital age

4. Our research remit:
Develop a new, revolutionary curriculum for
information literacy in a digital age
Aims:
• Understand the needs of
undergraduates entering HE
over the coming 5 years
• Map the current landscape
of information literacy
• Develop practical curriculum
and supporting resources

5. Method
Modified Delphi study
 means of obtaining expert future forecasting
 consulted widely in the fields of information and education
Literature review
 theoretical overview of the field
 revealed conflicts in terminology, pedagogic approach, values
Expert workshop
 method, findings and preliminary curriculum presented
 curriculum refined in light of feedback

6. What our experts said…
Format and structure of Modular, flexible
the curriculum holistic, embedded,
Relevant to students
Online / face to face
Active learning: discussion
and reflection Teaching style and
Training > Teaching method of delivery
When?
Who teaches?

7. And don’t forget….
Assessment
Use of audits
Meaningful assessment
Learning outcomes
How to market IL
to different audiences
Marketing / hooks
Aligning the curriculum content to
discipline specific knowledge, skills and behaviour

8. Rehabilitating information literacy
IL is not:
• seen as part of the mainstream academic mission
• merely functional/technological skills
• the preserve or saviour of the library
IL is:
• a continuum of skills, abilities, values and attitudes around
analysing, evaluating, managing and assimilating information
• fundamental to the ongoing development of the individual,
social as well as academic

9. “Information literacy empowers people in all
walks of life to seek, evaluate, use and create
information effectively to achieve their personal,
social, occupational and educational goals.
“It is a basic human right in a digital world and
promotes social inclusion in all nations.”
UNESCO (2005) Alexandria Proclamation

10. Our key curriculum attributes
Holistic – supporting the whole research process
Modular – ongoing ‘building blocks’ forming a learning spiral
Embedded within the context of the academic discipline
Flexible – not tied to a specific staff role
Active and assessed – including peer assessment
Transitional : Transferable : Transformational

11. Curriculum strands
1. Transition from school to higher education
2. Becoming an independent learner
3. Developing academic literacies
4. Mapping and evaluating the information landscape
5. Resource discovery in your discipline
6. Managing information
7. Ethical dimension of information
8. Presenting and communicating knowledge
9. Synthesising information and creating new knowledge
10. Social dimension of information literacy

12. Using the curriculum
 The strands cover 5 broad learning categories, from functional
skills up to high-level intellectual operations
 Classes can incorporate multiple strands at the same level
 Classes should be active, reflective, relevant to student need
 You could use the curriculum to audit your own (or your
institution’s) training provision

14. Careers Unit
Alumni Office
Student Services
Learning Development
Research Support Unit Student ambassadors
International Office
Disability Unit
Student Services
Careers Unit
Faculty
Research Support
Unit
Learning Development Faculty
Faculty Learning Development
Faculty
Library
Library
Faculty
Library Library
Student ambassadors

15. How would YOU implement the
New Curriculum for Information
Literacy at your own institution?

16. ANCIL outputs, July 2011
 Executive summary
 Curriculum and supporting documents
 ‘Teaching learning: perceptions of information literacy‘
(theoretical background)
 Expert consultation report
Free to download at http://newcurriculum.wordpress.com/

17. Next steps, October 2011
‘Strategies for implementing the
Curriculum for Information Literacy’
Dr Helen Webster & Katy Wrathall
Arcadia Fellows, Oct-Dec 2011
http://arcadiaproject.lib.cam.ac.uk/projects/strategies-for-implementation.html

18. Thank you!
Jane Secker & Emma Coonan