Peer Review

Information Instruction

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jun 27, 2023 by ICT Literacy

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This course focuses on strategies for library and information professionals. It includes a syllabus and many resources on instructional design and management

Type of Material:

Online Course

Recommended Uses:

This online course can be used as self-paced instruction, with an actual instructor providing feedback

Technical Requirements:

The website works across browsers.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Students and Participants will be able to:

apply models of instructional design
descibe how educational, training, and learning theories apply to instructional situations
design learning experiences based on a targeted audience
apply technology and tools to instructional design
address information and other literacy standards
plan and deliver educational programs

Target Student Population:

Library and information professionals majors, Educational technology majors, Pre-service teachers and instructional designers, graduate school, professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

basic ICT literacy

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

This modular online course provides a structured approach to instruction for librarians. The content covers a wide breadth of topics ranging from theory to practical applications. Each module with its syllabus includes explanation, websites to explore, "try it" activities, and additional research resources. Although the course is designed with an online instructor in mind, users could learn from the website independently. The content includes classic sources as well as very current materials, such as the new information literacy framework for higher education. Content is labelled and cited, including for images.

Concerns:

Some of the links don't work. The 2016 ISTE technology standards for students was not mentioned. Material may be dated. There is a page note that this content is not being updated.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The course builds on information and digital literacy standards as it explains how to teach information skills. As such, it discusses standards and reinforces concepts throughout the course. Each module includes objectives and supporting materials. The modules can be used independently, although they do relate to each other conceptually if not explicitly. With its "read it" and "try it" suggestions as well as additional resources, teachers will find it easy to integrate them into their own instructional design.
Concerns:: Material may be dated and warrants revision due to changes information & media literacy, along with technology. The links between modules could be stronger.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The writing is very clear, concise, and engaging. The videos and images help break up the text, and some diagrams help understanding. There are several opportunities for users to read linked resources and try learning activities. This course an easy to use layout that is usable without guidance. There are plenty of links to navigate through the course and return to the home page. The website appears to be ADA-compliant, including alt-text for the images.

Concerns:

The overall layout of the website feels "crowded." No feedback loop or help feature are included. Some images are not very relevant. The site has numerous dead and incorrect links.

Other Issues and Comments:: While this is a content rich course that should appeal to both students and educators, it is in substantial need of updating.
Creative Commons: