Electronic Literacy
Diana Shonrock, Associate Professor, Parks Library, recently presented a CELT workshop on "Electronic Literacy," one of a linked series of workshops on communication held this semester. She discussed the importance of electronic literacy in and out of the classroom, especially when directing students to use the ISU library’s resources to complete assignments. One of the most important tasks of educators is teaching students how to self-educate, and that includes honing research skills. Shonrock’s seminar offers the following steps toward teaching students how to become more electronically literate, and therefore better researchers in today’s electronic age:
- Authority and authenticity. Students must be able to evaluate web sources. Is the source an authority in the subject? Can the information be trusted?
- Search strategies. Many students need training in basic search strategies, proper use of keywords, Boolean operators, and Internet search engines.
- Time management. The library pays for access to scholarly search engines. These engines can narrow students' search processes and save precious time for reading and writing. 16,000 to 20,000 electronic journals are available through the ISU library, many of which are no longer available in print format.
"Shonrock recommends that instructors clearly define student learning goals when they assign library research; introduce students to major research tools and databases in the discipline; and teach appropriate research strategies, building in opportunities for reflection and critical thinking. It's important to keep in mind that an assignment that seems crystal-clear to an instructor might be very confusing to students."
Common misunderstandings regarding library research:
What instructors say in class …
"For this assignment, I want you to use the Library, not the Web, to find your information."
What students say in the Library …
"My professor said we can’t use the Web for this assignment, so I can’t use the e-Library or anything in it."
What instructors say in class …
"You should use this database at the Library to find the sources you need. If you need help, ask at the reference desk. Remember, you will need at least three scholarly sources for your paper."
What students say in the Library …
"My professor said we need to find three articles in this database. It doesn’t matter what they’re about. Where's the database and how do I use it? … Okay, can I write down those top three articles that you just found? That’s all I need."
What instructors say in class …
"I want you to become familiar with the style of research writing in the major, peer-reviewed scholarly journals in our field. Your assignment is to go the Library and look through some of these, and bring some samples back to class for discussion next week."
What students say in the Library …
"We have to find articles for my assignment and I’ve been searching Google for hours … where are the articles?"