Supporting the development of information and digital literacy skills, University of Sydney Library

Supporting the development of information and digital literacy skills

The Library provides resources, services and programs to enrich learning and teaching at the University of Sydney.

The Library supports the development of Information and Digital Literacy (IDL) skills through collaboration on assessments, classes and learning objects. We provide bespoke support in coursework programs where we contribute our IDL expertise to the design of the assessment.

We have a team of experts in learning design, content creation and object-based learning who work with Academic Liaison Librarians to provide high-quality learning experiences.

Our approach to information and digital literacy skills development

Academic Services staff design and deliver learning experiences based on the following service principles:

Use our resources responsibly and equitably
Build partnerships and leverage inter-professional expertise
Design learning experiences that enhance educational outcomes
Deliver learning experiences that are valuable
Share evidence-based approaches and encourage experimentation

These principles were developed to articulate a values-based approach to delivering our IDL services, based on workshops held with each of the librarian teams. Our service model outlines
the different tiers of learning experiences we provide to support skills development.

Information and digital literacy partnerships

Academic Liaison Librarians partner with academics to support the development of IDL skills. We will contribute our IDL expertise to the design of assessments in core (or equivalent) units of study. We may also develop workshops or learning objects.

Assessment co-design

Contribution to assessment

What does this look like
IDL consultation

What does this look like

Provide suggestions on the structure and format of an assessment to emphasise the IDL aspects, for example:
Suggest that quality of sources be part of the marking criteria
Assignment support material

Contribution to assessment

Create support material that is essential in enabling students to complete the IDL aspects of the assignment, for example:
A Canvas page scaffolds how to complete the IDL aspects of the assignment
Co-design of assessment tasks or rubrics

Contribution to assessment

Identify and highlight IDL skills in your assignment, for example:
Describe levels of IDL performance from novice to expert in your rubric

Case Studies of bespoke partnerships

This video provides some examples of partnerships in units of study between academics and Academic Liaison Librarians with examples of contribution to assessment.