Information literacy and inquiry-based learning: Evaluation of a five-year programme of curriculum development

Abstract

Inquiry-based learning describes a range of learner-centred pedagogies increasingly employed in Higher Education where students learn through engaging in open-ended research and inquiry. It is acknowledged that this type of pedagogical approach requires advanced information literacy capabilities in students, and that there is a need to support the development of information literacy in inquiry-based learning curricula. This paper reports on the evaluation of a selection of curriculum development projects undertaken at a UK University that implemented inquiry-based learning and information literacy development. Data was collected using a "Theory of Change" evaluation methodology and analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. It was found that educators need to make explicit to students the need to develop information literacy to support their inquiries, and that dedicated approaches to facilitation from peers, librarians and academics are helpful when designing inquiry-based learning. KeywordsInquiry-based learning, information literacy, pedagogy

Problem- and inquiry-based learning in alternative contexts: Using museums in management education

“…Approaches promoting student-directed inquiry are well suited for ill-structured, authentic problems. Their solution requires commitment, the engagement in messy processes, and the creation of collective knowledge (Bissola & Imperatori, 2017;McKinney, 2014;Minocha et al, 2017;Peterson, 2004). These conditions are typical for PBL and IBL.…”

“…IBL is a problem-or question-driven approach that integrates inquiry in terms of student-led investigations in order to strengthen the linkages between teaching and research in universities. Forms of inquiry include, for example, literature-based research, data collection, research drawing on questions and methods pre-specified by lecturers, applied research addressing practical issues, simulations, and role-plays (Aditomo, Goodyear, Bliuc, & Ellis, 2013;McKinney, 2014). IBL resembles PBL.…”

“…In doing so, it contributes to our understanding of these types of learning in two ways. First, students concentrate on an ill-structured and relevant issue, which requires entrepreneurial thinking, an interpersonal, constructivist process, and active, student-centred learning (Chaharbaghi & Cox, 1995;McKinney, 2014).…”

Information literacy for inquiry-based learning

“…Finally, the study by McKinney (2013) reported the evaluation of development projects undertaken at a United Kingdom university focusing on IL and on the development of IL capabilities to support learning. The results showed that students developed individual IL capabilities and learned how to effectively use library resources.…”

“…Harada and Yoshina (2004);Hmelo-Silver et al (2007);Chu et al (2011);McKinney (2013), among others, argue that there is evidence pointing to the effectiveness of pedagogical approaches based on projects for the improvement of learning outcomes.…”