Critical thinking is essential to the educational process. With this in mind, the library targets the Freshman Seminar classes to introduce skills in critical thinking about information—a major component of what, in the library world. is called information literacy.
Information is now widely available on the Internet, but the information can be of questionable merit. Faculty and librarians need to collaborate together in order to teach students how to select and evaluate resources. This knowledge helps the freshmen transition into academic life easier because they do not feel so overwhelmed by library size, multiple research projects, and time management.
The library has created a three-step library instructional program, which we are offering to the freshman seminars (and other classes when requested):
Step 1: Students complete the online tutorial known as TILT (Texas Information Literacy Tutorial). TILT, designed by librarians at UT Austin, covers Selecting (where to begin) Searching (how to find it) and Evaluating (is it what you need). A link to TILT is located on the library homepage. There is a quiz after each section and you can request that the results be emailed to you. We ask that the students have TILT completed before progressing to Step 2.
Step 2: A librarian conducts an instructional session covering the many facets of the Muntz Digital Library. This serves as an introduction to the services available to the students, both in the library and at home. The session also covers the various types of information available (online vs. print), a demonstration of some general topic and reference databases, and discussion of the different types of available databases. Since each faculty member has a Seminar topic, we tailor the searches to that topic. It is helpful to have a library class assignment to talk about so we have a focus for the students.
Step 3: feel it is important to teach new students about the physical library as well as the digital resources. This third step is covered in a self-guided walking tour, where each student has a worksheet covering the library locations, procedures, policies, etc. There is also a post-test after the instructional session that takes the students physically through the library.
Assessment tools:
- The post-test, which is included in the packet handed out in each session, helps reinforce the instructional session not only by repetition but also as a physical task for the more tactile-students’ benefit.
- An instructor evaluation form is distributed in each session so faculty can give us feedback about the library instruction. Evaluating these forms enables the library to better serve faculty and the students in the future.
Make the library a part of your Freshman Seminar class! You may sign up for an instruction session by contacting Vandy Dubre, vdubre@uttyler.edu, or call her at (903) 566-7167.
