1. InfosmART: Delivering Information Skills to Arts Researchers
Duncan Chappell
Fine Art and Design Librarian
Glasgow School of Art

2. Introducing InfosmART
A portfolio of online interactive modules in information and research skills for the GSA learning, teaching and research communities.
Instructs learners in how to develop and improve their individual research and information handling skills through an easy-to-follow 4-step programme.

3. Why InfosmART? Unique nature of art and design students
Non-traditional backgrounds
Employment demands
Enhancement to GSA research infrastructure
Cross-transferable skills
Experience within the Library has demonstrated that in general GSA students at all levels experience difficulty in searching for information effectively, evaluating it critically, and then using it legally.
Feedback from academic staff has confirmed that this is often the case and that there is a need for information skills training within the student body.
For many art and design students information skills and processes do not come as second nature, whereas in other subject disciplines core information competencies could be assumed.
GSA student intake is increasingly from non-traditional backgrounds, and these learners may be further compromised in these skills.
The ability to undertake self-directed research is an increasingly important skill in the knowledge economy. How to search for and evaluate quality information in a crowded information landscape are skills that are sought after by employers. A large proportion of GSA graduates are self-employed, where an ability to apply one’s own information skills is key.
GSA is actively seeking to increase its research flows and outputs
Equips students with cross-transferable information skills that are attractive to employers

4. Acquiring Funding
Once the need for InfosmART had been recognised and accepted, funding was sought.
Project objectives were mapped to GSA’s strategic plan and learning and teaching enhancement strategies
Successful funding bid submitted to Learning and Teaching Innovation Fund

5. Learning Outcomes QAA Subject Benchmark for HE: Art and Design
SQA National Unit: Information Literacy
7 Pillars of Information Literacy
National Information Literacy Framework for Scotland
Learning outcomes across the 4 modules were mapped to the following IL and qualification frameworks.

6. Learning Outcomes
Screenshot of learning outcomes document

7. The InfosmART Approach
Modular
Self-directed learning
Interactive
Directed at all levels of study
Hosted on VLE
The modules encourage self-directed learning and feature interactive elements such as online tests that enable learners to benchmark their information skills and check what they have learnt from the module.
The modules are directed at the entire GSA community across all departments, disciplines and levels of study. It is hosted on the VLE and made universally and flexibly available on a 24/7 basis.

8. The InfosmART Approach
Active use of Web 2 technologies such as social bookmarking and blogs
Supported by a dedicated InfosmART blog which reports on new IL issues and developments

9. The InfosmART Approach
e-Assessment components, although not formally assessed or graded, allow learners to test their own knowledge and benchmark themselves

10. Fully integrated with GSA’s PDP programme for students
Students download a certificate of attainment after each module, for inclusion in portfolios

11. Screenshot of Certificate of Learning

12. The 4-Step Programme Define Find Evaluate Cite
How to identify and define the research need and recognise potential resources in the information universe
How to develop effective search strategies for information in a wide variety of media both online and through specialist databases
How to evaluate information for accuracy, relevance, currency, breadth, authority and other criteria
How to cite and reference information correctly and avoid plagiarism

13. Module 1: Define
Module 1 introduces learners to the concept of the information universe.
Before we can find the information we need effectively, it is important for us to recognise the types of information that exist. There are many different forms that information can take, and these different forms make up the information universe.

14. Module 1: Define
To navigate our way through this universe, we need to move from a vague understanding that we require information, to a clear and focused question (or hypothesis) that we would like to answer.
By narrowing down this broad need into something a lot more specific, we are mapping the universe and starting to navigate our way through it.

15. Module 1: Define
Module 1 introduces learners to the information supply chain
The journey information takes from producer to disseminator to facilitator to consumer

16. Module 1: Define Module 1 introduces learners to the resource mix
When identifying the information sources that will address our information need, we should actively strive to maintain a balance between the sources we use.
Matching resources to need
Primary vs secondary material
Print vs online

17. Module 2: Find
Types of information systems, incl. catalogues, A&I databases, imagebanks, search engines, books

18. Module 2: Find
How search engines work, incl. indexing, relevance ranking, relationships between different engines, differences between controlled and uncontrolled vocabularies, search engines vs. subject gateways.

19. Module 2: Find
Designing a search strategy, incl. defining keywords, considering abbreviations and synonyms, alternative spellings, Boolean operators, wildcard and proximity searching, moving from broad to narrow.

20. Module 3: Evaluate
Evaluating sources for currency, authority and provenance, relevance, bias and objectivity, accuracy, and methodology

21. Module 3: Evaluate
Case Study: how Wikipedia works, anatomy of a Wikipedia article, potential strengths and weaknesses, questions to ask

22. Module 4: Cite What is plagiarism Common traps
Examples of plagiaristic practice
Detection
Consequences
How and when to quote from sources

23. Module 4: Cite Running Notes Style, incl. Chicago and MHRA
Numeric Style, incl. Vancouver
Author-Date Style, incl. MLA and Harvard

24. Future Development Copyright Research Methodologies Current Awareness
Future development of the InfosmART portfolio will include copyright, research methodologies, and current awareness

25. Fine Art and Design Librarian
Thank You
Duncan Chappell
Fine Art and Design Librarian
Glasgow School of Art