Promoting Information Literacyin Leadership Studies:

Challenges and SolutionsA poster presentation delivered

at the 10th annual conference of theInternational Leadership AssociationNov.12-15, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA

by Jim Wolford-Ulrich, Ph.D.Duquesne University

About Duquesne

• Founded 1878 by Spiritan order of priests– Private (Catholic); coeducational

• Distinctives of the Spiritan charism:– outreach, education, inclusivity

• Over 10,000 students in 10 Schools– 57% undergraduate / 43% graduate

“We serve God by serving students"

SLPA: Background

• School of Leadership & Professional Advancement (SLPA) founded in 1983– Total current enrollment: 1,011 students– Offers 1 bachelors degree and 5 masters degrees

• Student demographics– 50%+ Graduate Students– 50%+ Online– Non-traditional learners

SLPA: Background

• Faculty demographics– 50%+ practitioners– 85%+ part-time faculty– Wide geographic distribution

• Other contextual factors– Multiple delivery formats– Promote information literacy and library usage– Promote academic integrity

• Middle States and ACRLExpectations of Library Profession and

Accrediting Bodies– Information Literacy in Every Program– http://www.msche.org/publications/Developing-Skills080111151714.pdf

– Discipline and Level Specific Standards– http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/standardsguidelines.cfm

Information Literacy

• Framing the Research Question• Accessing & Evaluating Sources• Evaluating Content• Using Info for a Specific Purpose• Using Information Responsibly

Source: http://www.msche.org/publications/Developing-Skills080111151714.pdf

Info Literacy Dimensions

Tools Developed at Duquesne for Helping Graduate Students in Leadership Studies

• Special Blackboard Site for All Incoming Graduate Leadership StudentsIncluded Features:– Leadership “Quicklinks” Tool– Library Resource Web Page for SLPA– Google Scholar Integration– APA Helps; RefShare Starter List– 5 Webinars (delivered live, then archived)

Student Resources

• Five 45-min Interactive Sessions– Using the “QuickLinks” Document– Accessing Library E-Resources– Searching Databases– APA Helps– RefWorks & RefShare

• Offered “Live” Each Semester Multiple Times; Archives Saved

• Led by Reference Librarian

Library Webinars

Leveraging the LMS

Formative Evaluation

• Library Webinar Survey Findings• Students are busy

− Advance notice needed!

− Shorter is better

• Uneven faculty participation / promotion

• Students use Google!• Google Scholar is under-used

• Technology still an issue

Critical Success Factors

• A Shared Vision and Direction

• A Partnership Approach– Identify roles and responsibilities for the School /

department, faculty, students, and the Library

• Appropriate Use of Technology

• Integration Across Curriculum

• Learning Assessment

Future Directions

• Helps for Students and Faculty:– More discrete topics, modular approach

• Developmentally appropriate goals• Broad faculty participation• Easy Web access

– Student Self-Assessment– “Job Aids” for Faculty– Investigate / integrate new technologies

Download this presentation and all Information Literacy tools developed:http://www.inflectionpoints.com/ila