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Information Literacy: Student Learning Outcomes

This guide provides a definition of information literacy, information about SBCC's related student learning outcomes and Information Competency Graduation requirement, and suggestions for increasing information literacy.

Library Program Student Learning Outcomes

PSLO 1 - Demonstrate information literacy development

Standard for Reference

Saunders & Hinchliffe Frame: Information Apprenticeship in Community

Related SBCC ISLOs

I. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Creative Thinking (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5)

VI. Personal, Academic, and Career Development (6.1, 6.2, 6.4)

Indicators

  • Define information literacy
  • Relate information literacy to other literacies (media, technology, etc.)
  • Examine their own biases
  • Describe the roles of others in their information literacy development Identify themselves as creators, consumers, and products in information ecosystems
  • Critically examine all the information they encounter

Library PSLO 2 - Examine the characteristics of information ecosystems

Standard for Reference

University of Buffalo Frame: Information Has Structure

Related SBCC ISLOs

I. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Creative Thinking (1.1)

II. Communication (2.5)

III. Quantitative Analysis and Scientific Reasoning (3.1, 3.3)

V. Information, Technology, and Media Literacy (5.1, 5.2, 5.3)

VI. Personal, Academic, and Career Development (6.2)

Indicators

  • Identify the interconnected systems and structures that influence the creation, distribution, access to, and use of information, misinformation, and disinformation
  • Identify the social nature of the information ecosystem Identify varied ways information may be organized and accessed
  • Describe algorithms and their pervasiveness
  • Describe filter bubbles and echo chambers
  • Distinguish between open access and subscription resources
  • Describe how information is organized in libraries and library databases
  • Distinguish between keywords and subject headings

Library PSLO 3 - Critique the power structures, hierarchies, and other social factors that affect information

Standard for Reference

Saunders & Hinchliffe Frame: Information Social Justice

Related SBCC ISLOs

I. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Creative Thinking (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5)

II. Communication (2.5)

III. Quantitative Analysis and Scientific Reasoning (3.1, 3.3)

IV. Social, Cultural, Environmental, and Aesthetic Perspectives (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4)

Indicators

  • Critique how social hierarchies and power structures impact each stage of the production, dissemination or suppression, organization, location, evaluation, and use of information, misinformation, and disinformation.
  • Examine how information (or its absence) informs opinions and beliefs about the people, ideas, or situations it represents or reflects
  • Describe how and why some individuals or groups may be underrepresented or systematically marginalized within the systems that create and share information Identify key concerns surrounding various biases, including personal bias, media bias, and algorithmic bias
  • Describe the psychological, physiological, and sociological effects of algorithms, the attention economy, and digital polarization Critique issues of access or lack of access to information sources, such as how the commodification of information impacts access and availability
  • Define digital redlining Examine the political project of information sources, including funding sources, conflicts of interest, personal biases, etc.)
  • Examine when and why information is missing, incomplete, or inaccessible
  • Select diverse sources of information from different perspectives
  • Critique colonial sources of knowledge, constructions of authority, publishing venues, and libraries
  • Examine Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of organizing information
  • Identify strategies for promoting information social justice
  • Critique their own information behaviors and how they might reflect and perpetuate the status quo and/or promote information social justice

Library PSLO 4 - Demonstrate ethical use of information

Standard for Reference

ACRL Frame: Information Has Value

Related SBCC ISLOs

 

Indicators

  • Describe the different types of value information may have
  • Describe the economic influences in information ecosystems
  • Examine the ways that information can be used to inform, persuade, promote, misinform, or coerce
  • Describe how the commodification of personal information and online interactions affects the information they receive and the information they choose to produce or disseminate online
  • Identify intellectual property as a legal and social construct that varies by culture Identify the rights and responsibilities of information use and creation
  • Distinguish between, copyright, fair use, open access, and the public domain
  • Distinguish between copyright and citation
  • Describe ethical and unethical uses of generative AI
  • Summarize information sources accurately
  • Cite sources appropriately

Library PSLO 5 - Examine research as a process of inquiry

Standard for Reference

ACRL Frame: Research As Inquiry

Related SBCC ISLOs

 

Indicators

  • Describe the elements and characteristics of the research process
  • Determine an appropriate scope for a research project
  • Develop open-ended research questions Integrate ideas gathered from multiple sources
  • Assess gathered information for gaps or weaknesses
  • Organize information in meaningful ways
  • Draw reasonable conclusions based on the analysis and interpretation of information

Library PSLO 6 - Distinguish between different types of sources and their different creation processes and uses

Standard for Reference

ACRL Frame: Information Creation As A Process

Related SBCC ISLOs

 

Indicators

  • Identify a source’s type Identify a source’s creation process
  • Identify the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of different types of sources
  • Distinguish between the type of source and the format in which it is packaged
  • Describe the implications of information formats that contain static or dynamic information
  • Critique the value that is placed upon different types of information products in varying contexts
  • Describe how the choices made when creating and sharing information impact the purposes for which the information will be used and the message it conveys
  • Select appropriate types of sources for specific information needs

Library PSLO 7 - Develop effective search strategies

Standard for Reference

ACRL Frame: Searching As Strategic Exploration

Related SBCC ISLOs

 

Indicators

  • Determine the information needed Identify where the needed information might be found
  • Describe and use different types of searching language (e.g., controlled vocabulary, keywords, natural language) appropriately Identify effective keywords
  • Match information needs and search strategies to appropriate search tools
  • Use appropriate search strategies for a particular search tool
  • Critique search results to identify bias and consider what is missing
  • Design and refine needs and search strategies as necessary, based on search results
  • Conduct successful searches using different search tools
  • Manage search results effectively

Library PSLO 8 - Evaluate different types of expertise and authority

Standard for Reference

ACRL Frame: Authority Is Constructed And Contextual

Related SBCC ISLOs

 

Indicators

  • Describe multiple forms of expertise
  • Describe the constructed nature of authority
  • Critique notions of expertise and authority
  • Distinguish between authority and source type
  • Identify that expertise in one area does not indicate expertise in another
  • Describe the responsibilities of authority, including seeking accuracy and reliability, respecting intellectual property, and participating in communities of practice
  • Assess credibility in the context of specific information needs
  • Apply fact-checking strategies to critically evaluate information (SIFT)
  • Select appropriate sources for specific information needs (PICK)

Library PSLO 9 - Critique processes of scholarly communication and knowledge-building

Standard for Reference

ACRL Frame: Scholarship As Conversation

Related SBCC ISLOs

 

Indicators

  • Define scholarly conversation Identify barriers to entering scholarly conversation
  • Explain that a given scholarly work may not represent the only or even the majority perspective on the issue
  • Describe how knowledge is developed and scholarly perspectives change over time
  • Critically evaluate contributions made by others in participatory information environments
  • Select sources that represent voices/perspectives/expertise that have been excluded from scholarly conversations
  • Cite the contributing work of others in their own information production Identify ways students can contribute to scholarly conversation
  • Contribute to scholarly conversation at an appropriate level

SBCC Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

I. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Creative Thinking

Students will be able to define issues, problems, assumptions, or questions; collect relevant information in response to a question or issue; analyze and draw valid conclusions from statements, images, data, and other forms of evidence; and assess the consequences of their conclusions.

1.1 Define the issues, problems, assumptions, or questions being addressed.

1.2 Collect and analyze data and relevant information including that derived from different sources and alternative research.

1.3 Distinguish facts from opinions and biases.

1.4 Draw insights from multiple reliable sources of information to create solutions to problems and identify possible consequences of those solutions.

1.5 Use valid evidence and sound reasoning to support conclusions drawn about issues, problems, assumptions, or questions.

II. Communication

Students will demonstrate communication skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in order to exchange information, ideas, findings, or opinions effectively across disciplines and for varied audiences, with or without assistive devices or persons.

2.1 Read texts (visual, auditory, or tactile) critically in order to participate in academic discourse.

2.2 Employ the conventions of standard English to create original texts that clearly communicate ideas and information.

2.3 Orally communicate clear, well-­founded, and developed ideas in an organized manner.

2.4 Attend to, interpret, and respond to verbal and nonverbal communication.

2.5 Recognize and interpret forms of visual or observable communication such as images, diagrams, film, and video.

III. Quantitative Analysis and Scientific Reasoning

Students will be able to analyze, estimate, use, and evaluate quantitative information using words, graphs, and symbols as well as apply scientific methods to questions regarding observable natural, physical, and social phenomena.

3.1 Apply quantitative and qualitative skills to the interpretation of data.

3.2 Use graphs and symbols to describe mathematical relationships and to establish sound arguments supported by accurate quantitative evidence.

3.3 Apply mathematical concepts to solve problems.

3.4 Employ scientific methods to form and test hypotheses.

3.5 Distinguish empirical evidence from speculation.

IV. Social, Cultural, Environmental, and Aesthetic Perspectives

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of significant social, cultural, environmental, and aesthetic perspectives.

4.1 Describe how the interaction among social, economic, political, cultural, environmental, and historic factors affects the individual, society, and the environment.

4.2 Explain how culture influences different beliefs, practices, and peoples.

4.3 Recognize the contributions of fine arts, visual arts, literature, and performing arts in influencing the human experience.

4.4 Recognize the social and ethical responsibilities of the individual in society, explaining the value of choosing to interact with respect in differing cultural contexts.

V. Information, Technology, and Media Literacy

Students will be able to locate, evaluate, synthesize, and use multiple forms of information employing a range of technologies.

5.1 Strategically search for, select, and evaluate multiple formats and sources of information for their authority, accuracy, credibility, and relevance, approaching research as an ongoing process of inquiry.

5.2 Effectively use technology to find, analyze, integrate, create, and communicate information and ideas.

5.3 Critically evaluate how information is created, communicated, and valued in textual, visual, aural, and tactile formats in different disciplines.

5.4 Identify the legal, ethical, social, and economic rights and responsibilities associated with the creation and use of information in various media and formats.

VI. Personal, Academic, and Career Development

Students will be able to assess their own knowledge, skills, and abilities; set personal, educational, and career goals; work independently and in group settings; and identify lifestyle choices that promote self­-reliance and physical, mental, and social health.

6.1 Develop, implement, and evaluate progress toward achieving personal, academic, career, and lifelong learning goals.

6.2 Demonstrate personal responsibility for choices, actions, and consequences, including but not limited to attending classes, being punctual, and meeting deadlines.

6.3 Work effectively and civilly with others, respecting cultural, gender, and other group and individual differences.

6.4 Identify and use appropriate resources to find answers, make choices, or solve problems.

 

Adopted by Academic Senate 10/24/07. Revised by the Committee on Teaching and Learning Spring 2014 and the Core Learning Skills Institute Summer 2014. Revised and adopted by Academic Senate 11/12/14, 2/25/15, 3/11/15, 3/25/15, and 4/22/15.

Library 101 Student Learning Outcomes

Note:

The Library 101 SLOs below will apply to the course through Summer 2025. We are in the process of updating the course, including the SLOs, for Fall 2025

1. How Information Literacy Is Defined and How Novices Become Experts

Recognize themselves as active participants in the process of discovering, evaluating, using, and creating information within information communities, and identify the assistance available to them during that process. (See: SBCC ISLOs 1.1, 6.1, 6.2)

2. How Information Is Created and What Determines Credibility

Apply knowledge of different types of sources and their creation processes, and knowledge of authority and credibility, to analyze others’ claims and to select appropriate sources for specific information needs. (See: SBCC ISLOs 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.4)

3. How Information is Valued and How Power Influences Information

Identify the rights and responsibilities of information use and creation; analyze the power structures and other social factors affecting how information and misinformation may be shared or suppressed; and demonstrate academic honesty and ethical use of information. (See: SBCC ISLOs 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.2)

4. How Information is Organized and How To Find The Best Information

Apply knowledge of the varied ways information may be organized to develop effective search strategies, and to conduct, evaluate, and revise searches in order to achieve relevant results. (See: SBCC ISLOs 1.2, 3.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1)

5. Research Involves Asking Questions and Communication Builds Knowledge

Analyze the elements and characteristics of the research process and the processes of scholarly communication and knowledge building. (See: SBCC ISLOs 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 3.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3)