I’m working on developing a lesson plan for a library instruction session for first year students. This is my rough draft of the instruction sesson including the ACRL Framework I’m aiming at, objectives, and lesson plan.

ACRL Framework

The Instruction team at North Park has decided to focus this class on two of the “frames” as articulated by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). Here is the link to the full text of the framework.

Authority Is Constructed and Contextual

Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility, and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required.

Searching as Strategic Exploration

Searching for information is often nonlinear and iterative, requiring the evaluation of a range of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue alternate avenues as new understanding develops.

Overview

I want to cover the two frameworks listed above and I hope that this session engages students. I’m going to focus a bit on my personal story as well as information needs that arise “in the real world” to show that evaluating information sources and searching as strategic exploration are not purely academic skills but are in fact life-long skills.

Lesson Plan

Introduction

Timing:  9:15am – 9:30am

1. Name and Position
2. Personal Background (NPU alumni, etc.)
3. Baby Meyer
   1. On my mind a lot lately – bring in a onesie.
   2. The Baby isn’t a good searcher – searching and using information is a skill you learn. Using libraries and the internet is not a natural skill – you can learn it, practice it, and get better at it.
   3. We are all in this together – common humanity.
4. Goals for our session.

Authority Is Constructed and Contextual

Timing:  9:30am – 9:50am

Show that there is not a single “best source” of information but that we must be critical consumers of all information. We select sources based on our information need and authority is a judgement.

Where do you get information about being a parent? (Think-Pair-Share – 4 minutes)

• Doctors
• Parents
• Internet
• Books
• Classes
• Stores
• …

What is the best source of information? (6 minutes)

• Selecting sources based on appropriateness and information need.
• Authority is rooted in context.

Evaluate Sources (10 minutes)

• Pass out two different information resources to students.
• In the same groups as before, evaluate these resources. Answer the following questions (listed on the slide).

Searching as Strategic Exploration

Timing: 9:50am – 10:15am

I want to stress that searching is an iterative process that you can learn and get better at over time. No one is born good at searching online and/or the library’s resources. We are all always learning and improving.

Developing keywords (5 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui-iFnS-9hs

Demonstrating Searching as Strategic Exploration (10 minutes)

• Google
• Gale Virtual Reference Library
• Catalog (VuFind)
  • Brandel
  • IShare
• Academic Search Complete

Activity (10 minutes)

Assignment – Choose a topic, develop search terms, and use two different platforms to locate information on your topic.

Revise Search Terms

• Broaden search
• Refine Search
• Shift Focus

Compare Platforms

• What platforms did you choose?
• What did you expect? Did the results meet your expectations?
• What other platforms could you use to research this topic?

Conclusion

Timing:  10:15am – 10:20am

We are all in this together – and the goal is human flourishing.