Librarians at colleges and universities invested in graduate education must understand and incorporate adult learning theories in their reference and instruction interactions with graduate students to more effectively support the students’ learning. After participating in a professional development program about adult learning theory, librarians in this study reported that, in many ways, they already employed teaching and learning strategies grounded in one or more adult learning theories. They also indicated gaining a greater awareness of student development, enabling them to more successfully tailor their interactions.
This case study illuminates the effectiveness of collaboration between a librarian and psychology faculty as they use the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education and the Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major to improve an assignment and frame their conversation on scaffolding students’ information literacy skill development. Faculty and librarian collaboration is critical to supporting student learning. Disciplinary standards may be effective tools for librarians and faculty to frame their collaboration, using a shared vocabulary to engage in meaningful conversation about the planning and implementation of course assignments in order to facilitate student learning. Through examination of an undergraduate psychology writing assignment, a librarian and psychology faculty critically examine various paths to information literacy.
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