ULIB 293
CRN# 16351
Information Literacy and Research Skills for ESOL (English Speakers of Other
Languages) Students
Instructor: Dr. Celia Shi
3 Credit Hours
Tuesday: 11:30-12:45 / Thursday: Online
Spring II 2023
Course Description
This course will provide an introduction to information literacy and research skills for ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) Students. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to enroll. The goal of ULIB 293 is to help improve students’ research knowledge, allowing them to become familiar with U.S. academic library resources. Students will learn database searching, citation, and plagiarism avoidance practices in a classroom designed specifically for ESOL students.
Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Articulate the characteristics of academic libraries in the United States and how they apply to your academic career;
- Match information needs and search strategies to appropriate search tools;
- Understand how information systems (i.e., databases) are organized in order to access relevant information;
- Evaluate and select credible and appropriate information for an information need using a variety of evaluation criteria;
- Assess the fit between an information product’s creation process and a particular information need;
- Identify the contribution that particular information sources make within an ongoing conversation and contribute to the scholarly conversation by becoming a creator or critic;
- Develop, in your own creation processes, an understanding that your choices impact the purposes for which the information product will be used and the message it conveys;
- Demonstrate how to quote, paraphrase, and summarize information for citations.
Instructional format
This class is taught in a hybrid modality. Check in-class and online days carefully in the CLASS SCHEDULE section below. Be sure to bring a laptop when we meet in-class. You can bring your own or check one out from the first-floor desk. This course uses a modified flipped classroom model. You will complete homework, quizzes, and other activities on eCampus. All coursework will be focused on finding information to create a summary of research. Then, you will reflect upon this process.
Course Resources
Textbook
This class does not require any textbooks. Readings and other materials are available through eCampus.
eCampus
This course assumes that you are comfortable performing basic tasks within eCampus, such as sending attachments, taking quizzes, and posting to course discussion boards. The WVU Information Technology Services (ITS) has an excellent help page for students:
Email
Your instructor will communicate with you only through WVU eCampus or your MIX account; therefore, please check WVU eCampus and MIX frequently. Because of the online nature of the course, your instructor will assume that anything that comes to them from your account is from you; therefore, you are responsible for everything they receive from you. Any work and/or messages submitted not written by you will constitute academic dishonesty for this class.
Technology
Work must be submitted as a .docx, RTF, or PDF file, so you will need access to a Word processing software such as MS Word or Google Docs. via WVU.
Major Assignments and Assessments
- Quizzes: For each module, you will take a multiple‐choice quiz. The quiz is to test your comprehension of the homework and to help you retain information from the homework. You will get two chances to take the quiz; your highest score will be the one recorded. Quizzes are available before each class. Quizzes cannot be made up.
- Weekly Assignments: You will submit an assignment designed to help you complete the Final Project. Assignments will be submitted online on the discussion in eCampus. You are expected to also comment on and reply to your peers’ discussion posts and comments.
- Plagiarism Avoidance Tutorial: You will take an online tutorial about avoiding plagiarism.
- Class Participation: Students will be evaluated on attendance, promptness, preparation for class, and respectful contribution to class discussion. Class participation includes bringing required course materials to class.
- 1 point: attend class session for the week
- 2 points: actively participate in class activities
- 3 points: make a meaningful contribution to the class discussion; this includes making meaningful c omments on others’ discussion board posts. Discussion posts are due before class on Tuesday.
Final Project | Summary of Research and Reflection Memo: You will submit a 3-5-page summary of research and a 2-page reflection memo reflecting on the research and writing processes.