Information Literacy Scaffolding
The literature also offers tips for scaffolding information literacy (IL). Here is a list of best practices specific to IL.
- Scaffold a class session, such as a one-shot, in four levels (NIU, 2015).
- Instructor models.
- The class does it.
- Groups or partners do it.
- The individual does it.
- Level information literacy outcomes and learning domains (Witek, 2016).
Associate Dean for Public Services at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Stephanie N. Otis suggests teaching sorce skills before search skills in her contribution to Marta M. Deyrup's book Successful Strategies for Teaching Undergraduate Research.
- Teach students how to work from a single source before teaching them how to search.
- Teach students the skill of summarizing and evaluating before searching for their own sources.
- Have students trace the authors' use of sources and other research in their work.
- Instruct and practice similarities and differences among primary/secondary sources, scholarly/trade/popular before asking students to find their own.
- Give more "attention to the meaning of information and less to the tools and mechanics of search."