Theory? Practice? Combination!

 

By raider of gin from Traralgon, Australia (Book cat) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Hashtag Truth: Skepticism and Skills for Exploring the Information Ecosystem is a course that will attempt to combine practical skills with theoretical concepts. With the new conceptual ACRL Framework as its underlying structure, the course is ripe for a deeper examination of ideas rather than simply learning how to get from point A to point B. Yes. There will be skills-based exercises, but to meet the student learning outcome of critically analyzing complex issues and ideas and communicating that thinking effectively, it will be necessary to encourage students to look beyond the surface. To quote F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind and still retain the ability to function." This will be our goal, to show students that there is more than one possible answer and to encourage open minds when examining opposing views. It is hoped that students completing our class will pass Fitzgerald's test.

In regard to the subject, information fluency is both convergent and divergent. Right now, there are opposing factions even among library professionals regarding the new ACRL Framework. Some would like to hold fast to the ACRL standards, which had a more convergent approach to information literacy. Some would like to embrace the more conceptual ACRL Framework, which is more divergent. We would like to present the best of both worlds.