1. ENGINEERING A BRIDGE TO INFORMATION LITERACY.
ENGINEERING A BRIDGE TO INFORMATION LITERACY
Mary Strife1, Robin Hensel2, Marian Armour-Gemmen1
1 WVU Libraries; 2 WVU Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
RESULTS
ABSTRACT
New Information Literacy Learning Objectives were integrated into ENGR 101
Technical Report Grading Rubric was modified to include Information Literacy Criteria
Student completion of pre-tests and post-tests was not consistent, yielding little usable data for direct analysis
Faculty Feedback indicated student technical reports were better than in previous years; specifically, students:
Selected and used appropriate sources
Cited sources correctly
Qualitative Survey Solicited Student Feedback
Overall reaction was positive.
Most beneficial:
Being able to glean information faster with a focused research strategy
Being cognizant of the various information sources other than the internet
The ability to access library resources without physically going to the library
Least beneficial:
Difficulty in remotely accessing information via the library webpage.
Through funding from the Information Literacy Course Enhancement Program (ILCEP), Freshman Engineering faculty and two Librarians collaborated to create 3 information literacy modules, based on ABET criteria and ACRL/STS information literacy standards, for a first year Engineering Problem Solving course. The modules included information ethics such as plagiarism and proper citations, information skills including finding appropriate sources for research and evaluating the validity and veracity of online sources, and intellectual property issues. These modules were presented to more than 900 student in 22 sections, involving 10 faculty, over the course of 2 semesters. Student mastery of content was evident in the improved quality of their technical reports and posters.
BACKGROUND
The NEED
Technical writing is an essential skill for developing and practicing engineers.
Freshman Engineering students have difficulty
Understanding the parts of a technical report
Defining and avoiding plagiarism
Evaluating the validity and veracity of online sources
Finding appropriate sources for research
Understanding Intellectual Property
The OPPORTUNITY
The ILCEP facilitated and incentivized the collaboration between librarians and engineering instructors to address these issues
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULES
Week
"Your Turn" Exercises
Assessments
Reading
Beginning of Class
Pre-Test: Library Information
Week 2
"Intro to Information"
Plagiarism scenarios
Plagiarism Avoidance Tutorial
When to cite scenarios
Week 5
"Information Tools"
Identify parts of a citation
Pre-Quiz: Identify parts of a citation
Beer, D. F. (2009). Accessing Engineering Information. In A Guide to Writing as an Engineer (3rd. ed., pp ). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
Find a citation
Post-Quiz: Identify parts of a citation
Week 11
"Intellectual Property"
Name that trademark
Pre-Quiz: Intellectual Property
Rockman, H. (2004). Overview of Intellectual Property Law. In Intellectual Property Law for Engineers and Scientists. (pp. 1-8). Hoboken: IEEE Press.
Find that patent
Post-Quiz: Intellectual Property
End of Class
Post-Test: Library Information
CONCLUSIONS
The infusion of Information Literacy into the Engineering Problem Solving I course was successful and worth repeating in future semesters.
Student learning outcomes were realized.
LESSONS LEARNED
Modify Delivery System in response to faculty feedback
Engage students with eCampus assessments
FUTURE ACTIVITIES
Redesign modules to include:
In-class presentation
On-line module
Out of Class Experience in the Library
Increase weight of Information Literacy Quizzes in course grade
METHODOLOGY
COLLABORATION & PLANNING (Summer 2011)
Literature Search
Added Information Literacy Student Learning Outcomes to ENGR 101 Syllabus
Developed & Implemented 3 Class Sessions
Course Management System
In-Class Assignments
Homework Assignments
Information Literacy Pre/Post Test & Unit Pre/Post Quizzes
Added Information Literacy components to Technical Report Grading Rubric
Planned End o f Term Poster Session
IMPLEMENTATION (Fall 2011 & Spring 2012)
FUTURE PLANS
Continue Information Literacy Modules in ENGR 101(Fall & Spring)
Modified Delivery:
1 in-class session
1 on-line module
1 Out of Class Experience
Improved Assessment
On-line Pre/Post Quizzes will be larger part of student course grade
Faculty will emphasize significance of assignments and quizzes to students
Additional on-line modules may be developed
Incorporate Information Literacy Modules into on-line version of ENGR 101
BIBLIOGRAPHY
COURSE OUTLINE
Fall 2011:
735 students; 18 sections
2 Librarians; 9 Engineering Faculty
1 Coordinator
Librarians taught 3 classes/section
Spring 2012:
185 students; 4 sections
2 Librarians; 3 Engineering Faculty
Librarians taught 1-2 classes/section
ALA/ACRL/STS Task Force on Information Literacy for Science and Technology. (2006). Information Literacy Standards for Science and Engineering/Technology. Retrieved from
National Society of Professional Engineers. (2007). Code of Ethics for Engineers. Publication
Oakleaf, M. (2011). Are They Learning? Are We? Learning and the Academic Library. Library Quarterly, 81(1), Supplement:
Strife, Mary, Marian Armour-Gemmen, and Robin Hensel. (2012). Integrating Information Literacy in Engineering: Librarians/Faculty Collaboration for the First Year Engineering Experience. Forthcoming 2012 ASEE conference paper.
Week
Topic 1
Syllabus, Announcements, Intro to Engineering , Ethics in Engineering (Chap. 2) 2
Ethics in Engineering (Chap. 2), Information Literacy I 3
Teamwork (Chap. 3.6) 4
Technical Communication: Technical Report Writing (Chap. 4),
Testing of Project 1 (Competition) 5
Technical Communication: Oral Presentations (Chap. 4), Information Literacy II 6
Oral Presentation of Project 1 7
8-9
Mid-Semester Exam, Project Management,
Microsoft Excel & Data Analysis (Chap ) 9
Technical Communication; Posters (Chap. 4.4) 10
Poster Presentation of Excel Project, Engineering Graphics 11
Engineering Graphics, Information Literacy III
12-13
Design Project 14
Design Project, Presentation of Final Project 15
Final Project Technical Report, Course Portfolio 16
Finals Week