STEM Faculty: Information Literacy

I'm glad to work with all faculty to help increase their students' understanding of information - how to find it, how to use it, and how to think about it critically.  Whether it is related to a lower-level assignment or a semester-long project for advanced courses, I can collaborate with you to make sure your students get what they need.  Check out the most common options for information literacy support below and feel free to email me at kschmidt@email.wcu.edu for more information.   ~Krista

Faculty, will your students be creating a research poster for your class? Request a research poster workshop! Students will be introduced to best practices in poster design, get hands-on experience identifying effective and ineffective design elements, and learn tips and tricks for a successful presentation. If you would like to request a workshop, email Scottie Kapel at skapel@wcu.edu.

All subject liaisons provide classroom instruction to support the development of students' information literacy.  I can work with you to create a customized plan for in-class instruction or workshops as well as online synchronous or asynchronous support.  Some things to consider:

• When is instruction most effective?  I recommend that we work together to find a good time but generally, it is most useful for students to participate in information literacy instruction when they are poised to begin or already engaged in a specific assignment or research project. 
• What do you want your students to leave our session with? For example, how to search the scholarly literature using advanced strategies like citation surfing or subject searching, how to use a specific tool or database, how to critically analyze information or data.
• Which modality is best?  Face-to-face instruction allows for more flexibility to meet student needs in the moment, but online instruction and support may be better choices in some situations.

I require a minimum of two weeks notice before any course instruction, whether that is face-to-face or online.

The library is providing support through Canvas by providing a basic module that can be dropped into any course to provide direct access through Canvas to library resources and services.  The current module includes a basic Hunter Library Search (with chat box for interactive help).  You can find this module and look for forthcoming modules by filtering the Commons to "Western Carolina University" and using the search term Hunter Library.  

In addition to the general module, I can create a personalized module for your class. Please contact me to discuss!

Courses can also be supported through course guides which are a compilation of resources, strategies, and advice for students tackling a course assignment or project.  While there is a standard disciplinary guide for all STEM disciplines, course guides are personalized for the goals and needs of that specific class.  As with classes, I require a minimum of two weeks to put together a course guide.  For some examples, see:

Tutorials, whether video or interactive modules, can be created for classes as well.  Lead time is one month and can include linking to or embedding quizzes or knowledge checks.  A few examples: