CPCC Library logo

Central Piedmont Libraries Instruction & Research Services (IRS)

The morph of library activities from a standards-based-scheme to a framework.
Profile Photo
Christy Case
Contact:
Phone: 704-330-6765
Email: christy.case@cpcc.edu

Library Instruction Information Literacy Objectives

Information Literacy (aka Critical Thinking) Objectives:

Basic Information Literacy Skills (ENG 111 and first semester classes)

  • Students will be able to identify appropriate library databases in order to answer research questions.
  • Students will be able to give credit to the ideas of others through proper citation.

Intermediate Information Literacy Skills (ENG 112, COM 231, and second semester classes)

  • Students will be able to develop a general topic into a specific research query.
  • Students will be able to generate and adapt keywords in order to discover relevant information in a variety of formats and content.
  • Students will be able to identify and analyze different types of sources in order to choose credible information and reject unreliable, biased, and irrelevant information.
  • Students will be able to explain the importance of citing sources in order to demonstrate and support their research.

The Library has developed Brightspace Learning Object Repository objects for each objective. Objects include Brightspace quizzes, tutorials, and videos. 

A Better Library Scavenger Hunt

Library Carousel Activity - General Introduction to Research

This is a great ice-breaker / pre-test activity when introducing research. 

Time: 20 minutes

On the 4 whiteboards are questions.  Each row is a group.  Assign a group to a whiteboard.  The possible questions:

  1. What is a database?  What is IN a database?  Give an example of one in real life.
  2. Describe the differences between a database and a search engine?  Give an example of each.
  3. You need to find 5 sources for your library research assignment.  What is an example of a source? 
  4. How can you tell if a website is trustworthy?
  5. What are some ways you choose a source for your paper/speech?
  6. What kinds of things might you find in a library catalog? 
  7. For the library research assignment, you are required to have a topic.  Write down your topic using one or two words or phrases.

Each row/group gets a different colored marker.  They start at the board and have 2 minutes to brainstorm their question and write responses.  After two minutes, they move to the next board (bringing their markers).  They can write additional responses to the prompt, or agree with the previous group(s) by adding a checkmark, OR disagree by adding a question mark next to a statement.  The colors show which groups question other groups in order to generate discussion.

Groups arrive back at their original station.  They have a minute or two to summarize what’s on the board and present to the rest of class.  Discussion ensues with “challenging” statements between groups.  Librarian facilitates.

Assessment would be a post-test, based on the original pre-test questions:

  1. What is a database?  What is IN a database?  Give an example of one in real life.
  2. Describe the differences between a database and a search engine?  Give an example of each.
  3. You need to find 5 sources for your library research assignment.  What is an example of a source? 
  4. How can you tell if a website is trustworthy?

Christy 2015: I have used this activity in ENG 111 and it works. 

  • Students are engaged
  • Boisterous
  • Argumentative
  • Usually understand pretty well what a database is and what a website is if they have to explain it on their own, without having to prove something to the instructor.