Sample Assignments to Build Information Literacy Skills
Springfield College - Assignments:
The following assignments have been created by faculty and librarians at Springfield College to foster information literacy skills in their classes.
Biology
- BIOL130 Anatomy & Physiology: Evaluating web sites (example 1)
- BIOL130 Anatomy & Physiology: Evaluating web sites (example 2)
- BIOL130 Anatomy & Physiology: Worksheet for students to discuss topics brought up in film "Glory Enough for All" add to search biographical resources to discover background information.
- BIOL130 Anatomy & Physiology: Search for articles on anabolic steroids with worksheet to identify and evaluate scholarly vs. popular articles.
- BIOL130 Anatomy & Physiology: Web course page used to introduce assignment on finding and identifying scholarly and popular articles.
First Year Seminar
- SPCO188 First Year Seminar: Web evaluation assignment used by students with the MLK and Leadership Web Evaluation Powerpoint Presentations.
- SPCO188 First Year Seminar: Powerpoint for in-class presentation for evaluating MLK web sites assignment.
- SPCO188 First Year Seminar: Powerpoint for in-class presentation for evaluating leadership web sites assignment.
- SPCO188 First Year Seminar: Assignment to search, locate, and use library resources for a presentation about transformational leadership.
- SPCO188 First Year Seminar: Web evaluation and ArticlesPlus assignment related to Anabolic Steroids.
- SPCO188 First Year Seminar: How Wide is the World Wide Web (Powerpoint presentation).
Generic Assignments (not created for any specific course)
- Starting Your Research: Babson Library Sources and Services: Introductory Powerpoint presentation.
- Voyager Practice Questions: Worksheet of questions for practice using Voyager.
- Finding Reliable Health-related Information on the Web: Worksheet for evaluating presselected web sites using web evaluation standards.
- Finding Reliable Social Issues Information on the Web: Worksheet for evaluating presselected web sites using web evaluation standards.
- Creating Effective Search Statements: Worksheet for identifying key words and concepts.
- Intermediate Information Literacy Class Outline: Instructor guidelines on selecting databases, for ENGL 114 and Sophomore-level classes.
- Intermediate Information Literacy Assignment: Worksheet for selecting a database.
History
- HIST106 U.S. History: Getting started on research paper for U.S. History.
- HIST106 U.S. History: Worksheet to identify, describe, evaluate, and create a correct bibliographic citation for resources to be used in research paper.
- HIST106 U.S. History: Preparing Your Rough Draft
- HIST106 U. S. History: Critical Analysis of Primary Sources
- HIST106 U.S. History: Archival Research Resources
- HIST482 History Seminar: Powerpoint presentation introducing library services and databases.
- HIST482 History Seminar: Description and use of library and web resources to historical resource.
- HIST482 History Seminar: Handout for assignment, deadlines, and searching worksheet.
Physical Therapy
- PHTH307/607 Clinical Concepts in Physical Therapy: Searching peer-reviewed articles with a focus on evidence-based practice related to a variety of fractures which may be encountered by Physical Therapists in a clinical setting.
- PHTH430/630 Neuroscience: Finding one or more Internet sites that provide further information about the week's lab topic.
- PHTH430/630 Neuroscience: Finding and evaluating information on the Internet about a neurological condition for the purpose of creating patient education brochure on the condition.
- PHTH430/630 Neuroscience: Grading Rubric for Internet Site Reviews
- PHTH430/630 Neuroscience: Worksheet for evaluating internet sites
Physics
- PHYS211 General Physics: Archimedes Principle
- PHYS211 General Physics: Poiseuille's Law
- PHYS211 General Physics: Heat Stroke
- PHYS211 General Physics: Thermodynamics of the Human System
- PHYS211 General Physics: The Human Heat Engine
- PHYS211 General Physics: The Use of Ultrasound in Medical Diagnosis
Rehabilitation and Disability Studies
- RHDS320 Rehabilitation Assessment/Appraisal Techniques: Psychopathy
- RHDS320 Rehabilitation Assessment/Appraisal Techniques: Testing in a Cross-Cultural Context
- RHDS320 Rehabilitation Assessment/Appraisal Techniques: Disability and Rehabilitation
- RHDS320 Rehabilitation Assessment/Appraisal Techniques: Testing in the Schools
- RHDS320 Rehabilitation Assessment/Appraisal Techniques: Clinical and Forensic Settings
School of Human Services
- HUSB305 Issues in Research-Demographics: Worksheet on using the Census web site to locate statistical/demographic data.
From Other Institutions:
Other institutions have been developing web sites for their information literacy programs. Here is a sampling of assignments and advice about creating literacy assignments from a selection of other institutions:
- Incorporating Information Literacy into First Years Seminars: From Oberlin College Library [a PDF file].
- Instruction Resources: Activities: From the University of Texas, Austin.
- Creating & Evaluating Effective Library & Web Assignments: From Touro College.
- Designing Innovative Research Assignments: From Raritan Valley Community College
- Designing Effective Information Literacy Assignments: From McHenry Community College Library [a PDF file].
- Library Assignments: From Andrews University: James White Library Information Gateway.
- Examples of Assignments from College-Level Classes: From Delta College Library.
- Creating Effective Library Assignments: From American River College Library
- Designing Research Assignments: From Queens University Library
- Example of Good Research Assignments: From University of Louisville
- Instruction Resources: From the LOEX Clearinghouse for Library Instruction