Tools for Information Literacy

INLS 161

A few details

The Project

INLS 161 is a required information science course for both undergraduate and graduate students. The class explores software use and maintenance, computer applications, networked information systems, and the many ethical situations found in real-world practices of digital communication.

Some special

Specifications

I redesigned the class curriculum and streamlined over 200 pages of widely dispersed course content into a 6-week hybrid format.

How I solved it

My approach

I used assignments to connect readings and coursework to practical applications. Students used online forums to discuss connections between technology and public life as well as post job descriptions they would like to apply for that required the tools we learned in class.

Student Evaluations (Anonymous)

I really didn’t have much confidence in my skills for technical things. I used PowerPoint and Word, even Excel. But I only used them at a very basic level. Not only did this class teach me how to use these tools more effectively, the process of completing each assignment boosted my confidence tremendously. And I really enjoyed it! I started using some of my new skills immediately.

What surprised me most about this class was all the next level tools for each application that I have been missing out on for years! I also learned that it is extremely satisfying to do coding, click a button, and have it all realized and rendered as you intended. Finally, I learned that if I mess up it is not the end of the world. You can’t break this stuff, just delete and start over. These mistakes are great for learning.

u rock

Laura went above and beyond to help students understand the material while also making the course genuinely interesting and fun! For an intro coding course, I find her work rather fantastic

Laura March is a wonderful, kind instructor who made a class I wanted to drop the second week into something manageable.

Thank you for all your hard work, patience, enthusiasm, and support. It must be very hard to prep for a course that covers such a huge amount of material and moves so quickly, not to mention getting through all the grading! I hope you teach more SILS courses. I can tell you know a lot about teaching pedagogy and I think you apply what you know very effectively.

She has done an AMAZING job teaching this class and I feel much more confident about my use of excel, fetch, atom, etc.

Laura March was patient and happy to give clues and assistance to help students figure out difficult tasks. She also greatly encouraged classroom collaboration and students assisting each other by providing forum space to interact and encouraging conversation to work through problems together.

I would definitely recommend this class because I feel that I have learned a lot in this short period of time, and the things I’ve learned are actually useful. For example, there seems to be a fair amount of demand for books to be converted into eBook format, so I’ll definitely remember that if I ever need to make a quick buck. Also, I think that the Excel unit was really useful because I learned to do a lot of things that I haven’t encountered in other classes where I’ve used the program.

Laura is great, wonderful personality and made coming to class a joy.

I learned a lot I can actually use and I even enjoyed it. Laura created a supportive and fun learning environment.

It surprised me how many skills I learned and how often I’ll get to use them. I’m pleased by how empowered I feel to keep learning.

This class was really great. It didn’t feel like an insane amount of work and the material was understandable. Also, some of the smaller activities that you set up throughout the course, like making a custom font, were interesting and made the class more fun (as did the donuts and meeting your doggo!)

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