Research Guides: First Year Seminar (FYS): For Professors

What is Information Literacy?

What is Information Literacy?

“Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning” (Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, Association of College & Research Libraries, 2015).

A 2017 survey of 42,000 students at 12 major research universities showed that students who receive Information Literacy (IL) instruction benefit in many ways, including:

Higher retention rates
Higher average first-year GPA
Successfully completed 1.8 more credit hours per year than students with no IL instruction

(“The Impact of Information Literacy Instruction on Student Success: A Multi-Institutional Investigation and Analysis," Greater Western Library Alliance, 2017)

Resources:

Here's some resources that can help when introducing students to academic research or information literacy:

Connect with the Liaison Librarian for your department
The ACRL Framework for Information Literacy Toolkit
Tips for Designing a Successful Information Literacy Assignment - Some tips from Bucknell University Library. Your librarian can help as well!
Citizen Literacy Resource Guide - From the University of Louisville Libraries, Citizen Literacy is an online toolkit that promotes the development of key information skills for democratic citizenship and features short videos, handouts, and activities that faculty across all disciplines can integrate into their courses and assignments.
Media Bias from AllSides - AllSides reveals how media bias affects the information we consume. Its ratings and chart, while simplifying a broad and nuanced spectrum into more rigid categories, effectively highlight the polarities and general leanings of major news outlets.
Infobase: Issues & Controversies - Searchable database providing multiple perspectives on many issues. Very useful for a general overview of a topic.
Infobase: Films on Demand - Audio/Video coverage of a wide range of academic topics. Also includes 7556 video results for Spanish language material.

How Librarians Can Support Your Course

In today's digital world, students are constantly surrounded by information: news, ads, social media, search results, Generative AI, and more. But quantity doesn't always equal quality. Without the skills to evaluate sources, identify bias, and navigate misinformation, students are vulnerable to being misled or overwhelmed.

Information literacy equips students to:

Think critically about what they read, watch, and share
Conduct effective, ethical research
Build arguments using credible evidence
Make informed decisions as citizens and professionals

We see teaching these skills as a shared responsibility - and an opportunity to support your course goals.

We know you're incredibly busy - let us help. The Librarians at Nielsen can support your teaching by leading research sessions, creating collaborative assignments, creating custom resource guides, or just helping students one-on-one. Think of us as partners in building students' lifelong learning skills.