Analyzing the Knowledge Practices of the ACRL Framework (Part VI)

For today’s post, I analyzed the final frame of the ACRL Framework, “Searching as Strategic Exploration.” Essentially, this frame encompasses the very core of information literacy — Information Technology Fluency — so should be one of the very first sets of KPs that students encounter upon entering college (and hopefully they are entering college having had at least some exposure to these KPs in high school).

While for the most part these KPs are at least semi-visible, they miss the mark in terms of describing the actual product or output of knowledge (what does the knowledge look like when put into practice?). They also tend toward individual competencies rather than knowledge practices within a community of practice (of course, that’s also how they are typically taught).

However, we must remember that in this frame in particular, there may be wider variations in practice as students enter their chosen disciplines. As written in the ACRL Framework, the KPs in “Searching as Strategic Exploration” are probably more suited to the Social Sciences and Humanities rather than the hard Sciences (and that makes sense considering that they were likely written with the Comp classroom in mind).

In my next post, I will discuss how I looked at all the ACRL Framework’s KPs through the framework of Legitimation Code Theory (LCT), and how LCT can further inform (and in my opinion, better develop) the usability of the ACRL Framework.

Searching as Strategic Exploration
Knowledge Practice	IL Facet	Knowing in Action	Instructional Strategies
Determine the initial scope of the task required to meet their information needs;	Problem Solving	Develop a strategic search plan: ·         determine the initial scope of the task required to meet information needs; ·         determine the types of information most appropriate to the task; ·         identify parties who might produce information about a topic and then determine how to access that information;	These first two KPs belong to the same category of research planning. To facilitate the development of research planning skills, use tools such as concept maps, graphic organizers, index cards (for organizing information), calendars (for time management), and collaboration tools.
Identify interested parties, such as scholars, organizations, governments, and industries, who might produce information about a topic and then determine how to access that information;	Problem Solving
Utilize divergent (e.g., brainstorming) and convergent (e.g., selecting the best source) thinking when searching;	Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving	Demonstrate divergent and convergent thinking by justifying why a particular source(s) effectively solves the information problem.	In order to assess this KP, it is essential that thinking be made visible, whether through think alouds, annotated bibliographies, presentations, narrated screencasts, etc…
Match information needs and search strategies to appropriate search tools;	Information Technology Fluency; Problem Solving	This should be part of the strategic planning process (see first two KPs above).	See first strategy above.
Design and refine needs and search strategies as necessary, based on search results;	Information Technology Fluency; Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving;	Evaluate and revise the strategic search plan as needed.	See first strategy above.
Understand how information systems (i.e., collections of recorded information) are organized in order to access relevant information;	Information Technology Fluency	This KP should be demonstrated during the strategic planning process (it goes along with the second KP).	See first strategy above.
Use different types of searching language (e.g., controlled vocabulary, keywords, natural language) appropriately;	Information Technology Fluency	This is knowing in action when students find appropriate sources. It can be integrated into the strategic planning process (e.g., writing down potential search strings).	See first strategy above.
Manage searching processes and results effectively	Information Technology Fluency	This is knowing in action when students implement an effective search plan [which results in effective research output].	The strategic search plan makes this KP easy to assess. See first strategy above.

Analyzing the Knowledge Practices of the ACRL Framework (Part IV)

I have to say, the “Research as Inquiry” frame is much better in terms of visible knowledge than the previous frames I analyzed.

Things to think about: In order to move the knowledge practices beyond the realm of traditional learning (and cognitive) processes, we have to look at the big picture. What does the cognitive process look like in practice? Not only at the end of a class or semester, but at the end of the student’s college career. How will it be cultivated within a community of practice that includes both students and mentors (e.g., librarians, scholars)?

Research as Inquiry
Knowledge Practice	IL Facet	Knowing in Action	Instructional Strategies
Formulate questions for research based on information gaps or on reexamination of existing, possibly conflicting, information;	Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving; Communication	This is knowing in action when students verbalize or record their research questions (not as a single exercise, but through continuous practice).	Think Sheets or graphic organizers can guide students through this knowledge practice. Librarians should model the process through think alouds.
Determine an appropriate scope of investigation;	Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving	I think this should be combined with the KP below.	See below.
Deal with complex research by breaking complex questions into simple ones, limiting the scope of investigations; use various research methods, based on need, circumstance, and type of inquiry;	Information Technology Fluency; Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving; Communication	This is knowing in action, and should be evident in students’ research output (e.g., projects, papers)	Scaffolding and continuous feedback, along with an emphasis on the iterative process of research, can help students successfully navigate this KP.
Monitor gathered information and assess for gaps or weaknesses;	Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving	Identify and fill in any gaps or missing information during the research process.	This KP calls for metacognitive strategies that help students critically reflect on the big picture of research, and on their actions during that process. Think Sheets (guiding questions) and feedback are necessary strategies. And to really foster this KP, librarians should adopt a mentoring attitude (rather than a directive one).
Organize information in meaningful ways;	Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving; Communication	This is knowing in action, and should be evident in both the planning and output of a student’s research.	Concept mapping and graphic organizers are just two strategies that help students visualize this process.
Synthesize ideas gathered from multiple sources;	Ways of Thinking; Communication	This is knowing in action, and should be evident in students’ research output (e.g., projects, papers).	Synthesizing information is something that many students struggle with, and I think one of the best strategies is chunking the process into small bites. For example, it’s much easier to introduce this KP with a one-page or one-paragraph writing exercise, rather than waiting on the “big” assignment. Collaborating with classroom instructors is key.
Draw reasonable conclusions based on the analysis and interpretation of information.	Ways of Thinking; Problem Solving; Communication	This is knowing in action, and should be evident in students’ research output (e.g., projects, papers).	Prerequisite knowledge practices are analyzing and interpreting information based on the norms of a specific discipline. This is critical literacy.