Newswise — INDIANPOLIS― A recent study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities reports that 70% of employers want colleges to place more emphasis on information literacy.
On Wednesday, (March 9, 2011), Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) University Library will launch an innovative new instructional space for information literacy classes in which IUPUI librarians and faculty teach students how to target, evaluate, and use electronic information.
The IUPUI University Library, 755 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, will host a public opening and reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, in the new information literacy learning lab, located in the library’s 2nd floor Reference Room. An interactive introduction to the new facility will begin at 6 p.m.
The learning lab features wireless technology and custom-designed mobile computer workstations that make it possible for instructors and students to rearrange furniture and equipment quickly in order to accommodate an array of teaching and learning styles.
Renee Jackson, director of information systems at the library says, “All the details of the (lab’s) technology, furniture and space were carefully considered and designed to provide total flexibility. Wireless, dual-boot iMacs inside mobile furniture with a programmable, surround-video system provide instructors and students with the power to choose just the right configuration for their instructional session or group research project.”
The library’s new wireless instructional space is equipped with:
•40 mobile Apple computer student workstations that run both Windows 7 and Mac OS Snow Leopard;•Two powerful data projectors and two 10’ projection screens that faculty can use for presentations while teaching about online resources and databases; and •Six 46” group display monitors that students can utilize for small-group discussions.
The classroom’s workstation for instructors features: •A room-control system that allows librarians to manipulate all the equipment in the room, from the big screens to individual student work stations;•A high-resolution document camera;•An advanced audio system with a digital audio processor, ceiling mounted speakers and a wireless instructor’s microphone.
Library classes include students from all levels at IUPUI, but focus in particular on incoming freshmen. The new space can also be used by individuals and groups of students when classes are not in session. According to library officials, the work IUPUI students will do in the new learning lab will enable them to better:
•Organize and conduct results-oriented research;•Assess needed information effectively and effectively•Evaluate information and its sources.
David Lewis, dean of the University Library explains that, “in today’s world technology is key to information discovery, evaluation, and use. This new space, which is very flexible, gives librarians the capacity to teach in multiple ways.”
The new instructional space was made possible by contributions from individual donors, and several Indiana companies, including RJE Business Interiors; the AT&T Foundation, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Bedel Financial Consulting, Herff Jones, Inc.; Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital; and The Library Fund, a fund of The Indianapolis Foundation.
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