Advancing Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Skills in First Year College Students

Citation Detail

Title:

Advancing Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Skills in First Year College Students.

Authors:

Alfino, Mark¹ alfino@calvin.gonzaga.edu
Pajer, Michele² pajer@gonzaga.edu
Pierce, Linda³ pierce@gonzaga.edu
Jenks, Kelly O'Brien⁴ jenks@gonzaga.edu

Source:

College & Undergraduate Libraries; 2008, Vol. 15 Issue 1/2, p81-98, 18p

Document Type:

Article

Subject Terms:

*INFORMATION literacy
CURRICULUM planning
COMPOSITION (Language arts) -- Study & teaching
CRITICAL thinking
COLLEGE freshmen
ORAL communication -- Study & teaching
COMMUNICATIVE competence

Geographic Terms:

SPOKANE (Wash.)
WASHINGTON (State)

Author-Supplied Keywords:

Critical thinking
English composition
information literacy
library research
linked writing courses

Abstract:

This article provides a case study of recent curriculum development in a freshman skills program which integrates critical thinking and English composition as linked courses at Gonzaga University. Known as "thought and expression" courses, this block of courses, which also includes speech communication, can be taken by students separately or in a linked cohort with the same twenty students in each class. In linked courses, faculty are generally aware of each others' course topics and assignments, and they meet to discuss student progress and look for opportunities for curriculum integration. In this case study, library faculty were included in the instructional team, and information literacy skills that relate to critical thinking were integrated into the goals of the critical thinking and English composition courses. Faculty involved in the courses believe that integrating library skills into course goals adds coherence to the curriculum; it also helps students to achieve the developmental goals of the learning community created by this course model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

 

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Author Affiliations:

¹Professor, Philosophy, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
²Instructor, English, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
³Coordinator, Public Services, Foley Library, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
⁴Instruction Coordinator, Foley Library, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

ISSN:

10691316

DOI:

10.1080/10691310802176871

Accession Number:

34179938

Persistent link to this record (Permalink):

Database:

Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts

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