Do your courses require students to conduct research? Do you find that your students struggle with the research process, even on assignments you've carefully designed? If so, you're not alone. The Information Literacy Faculty Certificate Program is here to help bridge the gap between expert and novice researchers. Sponsored by the Center for Faculty Excellence and Michael Schwartz Library, this program is designed to give you the tools and confidence you need to foster your students' information literacy skills.

What's in it for You?
By completing the program, you'll gain valuable insights into how students approach research and learn effective strategies for designing assignments. As a bonus, participants who complete the program will receive a $100 stipend and a certificate of completion.

To earn the certificate, you'll need to meet two simple requirements:
•    Attend at least two of the three synchronous workshops offered.
•    Meet with your subject librarian for 30-60 minutes to discuss one or more of your research assignments before December 1st.


Dive into the Workshops
The program offers three distinct workshops, each focusing on a different aspect of information literacy in today's changing landscape:


Decoding Research Practices: Narrowing the Expert-Novice Gap 
•    September 25, 11:30-12:20pm 
•    Register: https://forms.office.com/r/pQWRFAwSv2

As experts, it can be challenging for faculty to see their research assignments from the perspective of a novice researcher. In this workshop, we'll explore the key features of the expert-novice gap and apply the Decoding the Disciplines model to bridge the gap when it comes to research skills. 

Should I Still Be Teaching That? Identifying Outdated Research Notions 
•    October 16, 11:30-12:20pm 
•    Register: https://forms.office.com/r/wdWNSVMP3M

As our information landscape changes, how students find, evaluate, and use information for research also needs to change. In this workshop, we'll explore some common practices and beliefs around teaching research that are now outdated, and we'll provide examples of alternatives that better reflect our current information environment. 

Experiential Information Literacy: Meaningful Learning Experiences 
•    November 18, 11:30-12:20pm 
•    Register: https://forms.office.com/r/U801RtjfCM

Research assignments teach students many important skills, from critical thinking to synthesis of information. However, research is often presented in a vacuum, isolated from real world contexts. In this workshop, we'll discuss how to develop students' information literacy skills while connecting these skills to relevant, real-world issues that motivate and inspire. 

Ready to enhance your teaching and empower your students? Register for the workshops and get started on the path to an Information Literacy Faculty Certificate.
For any questions, you can contact the Center for Faculty Excellence at cfe@csuohio.edu or Mandi Goodsett at a.goodsett@csuohio.edu.