Our Pedagogical Approach to Information Literacy

Our student-focused approach to information literacy goes beyond a set of defined research skills to assisting students in thinking critically, developing better questions, and engaging in meaningful academic discourse.

We focus on our students' holistic understanding of information in today's complex and ever-changing world. Our instruction is grounded in a teaching philosophy that reflects our commitment to supporting student growth, critical thinking, and holistic development, in alignment with the university's mission. It is guided by learning objectives that emphasize student empowerment, information literacy, and the integration of faith and academic inquiry.

In addition to finding and evaluating sources, we assist our students in understanding:

• How information is created and shared
• Who controls access to knowledge (including libraries, publishers, governments, tech platforms, and other gatekeepers)
• What makes information credible or biased
• What ethical use of information is and why it matters

How We Teach

Our instruction is grounded in the concept of critical inquiry and student-centered learning. We aim to:

• Guide students through exploration, evaluation, and reflection, focusing on the research process, not just the final product
• Encourage student confidence and ownership in their independent research initiatives
• Address the ethics of information, including its access, authority, and intellectual property
• Introduce new and emerging concepts around research, such as AI tools, bias in algorithms, and the changing nature of digital research environments.

We draw on the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education, which emphasizes six core concepts:

• Authority is Constructed and Contextual
• Information Creation& as a Process
• Information Has Value
• Research as Inquiry
• Scholarship as Conversation
• Searching as Strategic Exploration