Information and Computer Literacy Task Force

• Strategic Goal. “Invest in Technology and Emphasize Information Literacy.”• Proposal 1. “Information Literacy &

Computing Across the Curriculum.”

Information and Computer Literacy Task Force

• Task Force co-chairs are: Ron Davis and Holly Heller-Ross.

• Task Force members are: Mohammed Djerdjour, Peter Friesen, Karen Killough, Tim Hartnett, Jeff Hornibrook, Tim Mihuc, Teting Su, Cynthia Taylor, and Vivien E. Zazzau.

Why We Are Asked to Achieve This Goal

• Purpose: To prepare our students for research and careers in this information age

• Mandate: Plattsburgh Strategic Goal• Requirement: SUNY Trustees • Expectations: Middle States and other

professional associations

How We Studied the Issues

• Consulted expert M.J. Petrowski • Used or incorporated national standards:

AAHE/ACRL & NRC• Reviewed model programs

What We Are Recommending

• Campus definitions• Information literacy is the ability to recognize the

extent and nature of an information need, then to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information

• Technology literacy is the ability to understand the potentials and limitations of technology and to identify and effectively use the appropriate technology to satisfy an information need or other desired outcome

What We Are Recommending

• National standards for competency• Assist with identification of

competency specifics• Focus curriculum review and

development• Facilitate outcome assessment and

accreditation

What We Are Recommending

• Introduce, reinforce, and expand concepts and skills in: • Lower-level General Education• Upper-level General Education• Majors

Recommendations for Lower-level General Education

• Change the Library Skills category to Information and Technology Literacy

• Students should complete within first year

Recommendations for Lower-level General Education

• Students should:• Begin to develop competence in information literacy • Become familiar with technology at Plattsburgh and

computing essentials• Be introduced to potential uses of standard computer

software• Be introduced to ethical, legal, and socioeconomic

issues

Recommendations for Lower-level General Education

• Introduce information literacy in:• LIB101 or a new integrated learning community

equivalent• Introduce technology literacy in a new:

• Freshman Experience or Learning Community• Technology literacy course• Or Web-based tutorial

Recommendations for Lower-level General Education

• ENG 101 should reinforce information and technology literacy

• Natural and Social Sciences courses should introduce appropriate technologies

Recommendations for Upper-level General Education

• Include a significant research component reinforcing information and technology literacy in Perspectives courses

Recommendations for Majors and Study Options

• Students should be required to take at least one course in their major that expands their knowledge of information and technology literacy in discipline-specific aspects critical to their profession.

Why We Can Achieve This Goal

• Have existing courses incorporating information and technology literacy,

• Are currently planning a revision of General Education,

• Strong collaborative relationships between instructional technology, departmental and library faculty,

• Well developed information resources and technology infrastructure.

Interim Provost’s Review Strategy/Timeline

• August 2001: Executive Council and Dean’s Cabinet (provost)

• October 2001: All faculty mailing (provost)• November 2001: Faculty Senate (co-chairs),

Student Association (provost)• December 2001: Department chairs meeting

(provost)All feedback collected by Task Force and provided

to Faculty Senate