Speaker: Mike Eisenberg, Professor and Dean Emeritus, The Information School, University of Washington
Topic: Project Information Literacy: What College Students Say about Conducting Research in the Digital Age
Time/Location: Wednesday November 2, 4:30-6:00PM, Dodson Room, IK Barber Learning Centre, UBC campus
Abstract: Project Information Literacy (PIL) is ongoing research project, based in the University of Washington’s Information School. The project seeks to understand how early adults conceptualize and operationalize research activities for course work and “everyday life” use and especially how they resolve issues of credibility, authority, relevance, and currency in the digital age. Research in 2009-2010 collected data from over 10,000 students. Most recently, PIL studied how 560 college students managed technology and multitasked while they were in the library during “crunch time” (the final weeks of the term). Prof. Eisenberg will discuss the findings and implications of PIL research–for higher education but also for information work across settings and contexts.
Speaker Bio: Mike Eisenberg is the “founding dean” of the Information School at the University of Washington, serving from 1998 to 2006. His current work focuses on information literacy, information problem-solving in virtual environments (funded by the MacArthur Foundation), and information science education K-20. His “Big6 approach to information problem-solving” is the most widely used information literacy program in the world. Mike is a prolific author (9 books and dozens of articles and papers) and has worked with thousands of students-pre-K through higher education-as well as people in business, government, and communities to improve their information and technology skills.
SLAIS Colloquia are free and open to the public. These talks are recorded and broadcast through the generous support of the IK Barber Learning Centre.