Deep Diving into the Heart of Lifelong Learning

Exploring Research & Information LiteraciesDana Longley, Online Library

Lifelong Learning

“the idea that education is an essential part of life and an ongoing pursuit, rather than something which begins and ends with compulsory education” 1

• What habits of mind do students need to enable lifelong learning?• “critical reflective inquiry” 1st bullet pt, ESC College Mission

Employer Needs• “Nearly all those surveyed (93 percent) say that “a demonstrated

capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than [a candidate’s] undergraduate major.” – A National Survey of Business and Nonprofit Leaders 2

• “only 29 percent of employers said students were well prepared to locate, organize and evaluate information” – AAC&U survey 3

• “just 11 percent of business leaders strongly agree today’s college graduates have the skills and competencies that their business needs.” - Gallup/Lumina Foundation Poll 4

Information Literacy, Critical Thinking & Critical Reflective Inquiry, Oh My!

• “Infused” Gen Eds.

• Peas from the same pod? Overlap?

• How do students learn these skills?

• Can they be taught?

• How effective is Gen Ed infusion?

Critical Reflective Inquiry:• Ask questions• Explore and find existing knowledge• Discuss questions in community• Select, evaluate and synthesize info• Create and share new knowledge

Each process above done critically and reflectively

Information LiteracyOld ACRL Standards1. Determine info needed2. Incorporate select info into own

knowledge base3. Access info legally, effectively and

efficiently4. Critically evaluate info sources5. Understand economic, ethical, and

social issues for info creation and use

6. Use info effectively to accomplish specific task

New ACRL Framework1. Research as Inquiry (ask)2. Scholarship as Conversation (discuss)3. Search as Strategic Exploration (explore)4. Information has Value (evaluate)5. Authority is Constructed and Contextual

(evaluate)6. Information Creation as a Process

(create and share)

ESC Core Values: Goals & Processes1. life-long curiosity and critical

inquiry2. dialogue and collaborative

approaches3. critical exploration of knowledge

& experience4. ongoing questioning and revising5. build upon students' existing

knowledge and skills6. active, reflective and creative

academic engagement

Info Lit Frames1. Research as Inquiry (ask)2. Scholarship as Conversation

(discuss)3. Search as Strategic

Exploration (explore)4. Information has Value

(evaluate)5. Authority is Constructed and

Contextual (evaluate)6. Information Creation as a

Process (create and share)

Our Students

2008 2011 20140

5

10

15

20

25

7.8

9.6

20.3

9.410.2

17.3

GEAR - Critical Thinking: Does Not Meet

Identify, analyze and evaluate Develop well-reasoned arguments

Assessment Year

Perc

enta

ge

2008 2011 20140

10

20

30

40

50

60

49.1

37.6

34.3

50.4

40.1 39.6

Meets

How can we do better in these areas?• Deeper, more, sooner, assessments?• Revamp or re-emphasize Info Lit and Critical Thinking Gen Eds?• Coordination of efforts across College (faculty, CID, DAS, Student

Services, Librarian groups)?• AOS Curriculum mapping of “infused” Gen Eds?• Wider access to institutional data to find and fill gaps?