Information Literacy/Tutorials

According to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, "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." 

For further information on the ACRL Framework, see these excellent videos from the University of Cincinnati.

Embedding core information literacy concepts within your curriculum supports Niagara College's mission, "to provide outstanding applied education and training for a changing world."  Information literacy education also helps students acquire the Essential Employability Skills defined by Ontario's Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, specifically regarding critical thinking & problem solving and information management.

The Libraries and Learning Commons works with faculty to enhance the information literacy competencies of Niagara College students through: 

• Library Classroom Sessions
• Information Literacy Tutorials
• Plagiarism and Citation Help guide
• Research Assignment Help Guide
• custom research guides for each program
• handouts and worksheets
• one-on-one research help appointments 

Design your own library classroom session. Choose from the following menu items to create the perfect library classroom session for your students/course outcomes:

Search Strategies:

• Developing a Research Question (25 minutes): What makes a research question successful? Discover tips and tricks for creating the perfect research question. 
• Searching on the Library Website (25 minutes):  In this session students will create an effective search query using keywords and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT, “” *) and use these tools to locate an article on the library website.  
• Searching on a Specific Database (25 minutes): In this session students will create an effective search query using keywords and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT, “” *) and use these tools to locate an article on a subject specific database.   
• Searching on Google Scholar (25 mins): In this session students will create an effective search query using keywords and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT, “” *) and use these tools to locate an article on a Google Scholar. Students will also learn how to cross-reference Google Scholar results against library collections.  

Academic Integrity: 

• Understanding Academic Integrity (20 minutes): Help your students identify the scope and consequences of plagiarism at Niagara College and recognize different ways plagiarism can be committed.
• Citing Sources in APA (40 minutes):  Orient your students to the very basics of citing sources in APA  format, including information on why they need to cite their sources.   
• Citing Sources in IEEE (35 minutes): Orient your students to the very basics of citing sources in IEEE format, including information on why they need to cite their sources.
• Understanding Copyright and Fair Dealing (20 minutes): Learn how to determine if a work is covered by copyright and, if so, how to use it properly by applying the 6 Factors of Fair Dealing, toward an intended use of the work.
• Understanding OER (20 minutes): .Give your students the tools they need to distinguish between non-OER and OER resources and information on how to decipher a Creative Commons license.  

Evaluating Sources:

• Evaluating Library and Web Resources (20 minutes): Students will learn how to use authority indicators to determine a source’s credibility, as well as how to identify biases that exist within the information creation process.
• Understanding ChatGPT (35 minutes): Concerned about how the use of ChatGPT will affect Academia? We are too. Learn how and when to use ChatGPT ethically in your assignments.   

Library instruction requests are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. Two weeks’ notice is preferred.

Please fill out this Form to book your session today.

Library subject liaisons have created online research guides for each program to highlight relevant library resources and offer important tips to help students develop their academic skills. 

Faculty feedback and suggestions are always welcome!