The goal of information literacy is to ensure that all Westminster College students will be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information, applying current information technology when appropriate.
		A. Program Objectives focus on students being able to:
			1. Recognize that accurate and complete information is the basis for intelligent decision making
			2. Recognize when information is needed
			3. Develop successful search strategies based on an understanding of how information is organized
			4. Identify potential sources of information
			5. Evaluate information
			6. Use and communicate information effectively
			7. Use information in critical thinking and problem solving
			8. Select and apply appropriate technologies when accessing, obtaining, and organizing information for use
			9. Access the Internet, e-mail, and other forms of electronic communication
			10. Use technology to convey information effectively
			11. Use presentation software effectively
		B. Instruction focuses on developing students' understanding and effective use of:
			1. Ethics
			2. Email
			3. Graphics
			4. Windows
			5. Microsoft Word
			6. PowerPoint
			7. Research Concepts/Search Strategies
			8. Evaluating Resources
			9. Basic Reference Sources (Print and Online)
			10. Advanced Reference Sources (Print and Online)
			11. Online Public Access Catalog (iLINK)
			12. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Other Resources
			13. Periodical Indexes (Print and Online)
			14. Internet Information Resources
		C. Each literacy component has identified essential skills and expected student outcomes.

Skills

Understand and apply ethical standards

Outcomes

Understand and utilize Westminster College's Use of Information Resources Policy

Understand Copyright Rules

Demonstrate an understanding of plagiarism

Understand and demonstrate ethical behavior in group work

Comprehend the consequences of unethical actions

Skills

Read, compose, send, and delete messages

Create and manage folders

Create and use addresses

Outcomes

Effectively communicate electronically (minimum/moderate level)

Skills

Create good graphic presentations (PowerPoint)

Understand basic graphics principles

Outcomes

Enhance oral and written presentations with good graphics

Skills

Start programs from icons and lower-left Start box

Use left mouse and right mouse

Maximize and minimize windows

Resize windows

Toggle between applications

Use toolbar and pull-down menus

Use Recycle Bin

Outcomes

Understand basic Windows concepts (icon, click-and-drag, etc.)

Know that there are alternate ways of doing things (using keystrokes, icons, etc.)

Open and close programs

Work with more than one applications at one time

Skills

Enter and exit MS Word

Create, save to disk, and retrieve a document

Select text (word, sentence, paragraph)

Edit document

Format document

Use advanced formatting

Use spelling feature

View document

Print document

Outcomes

Create and print a decent-looking, accurate document

Know common terms associated with word processing

Skills

Create a slide program using either AutoContent Wizard or Blank Presentation

Create, edit, and format slides

Add and delete slides

Use slide sorter and view functions

Understand space limitations of a disk for graphics programs

Outcomes

Create an effective slide presentation using various features of PowerPoint

Skills

Recognize information terminology and organize knowledge

Create a search strategy

Use a controlled vocabulary

Use primary and secondary sources

Use popular and scholarly sources

Outcomes

Apply information terminology to research problems

Demonostrate search strategy based on organization of knowledge

Ascertain popular versus scholarly treatment of subject matter

Decide what material is appropriate for assignments

Identify primary and secondary sources

Skills

Evaluate source for authority

Evaluate source for accuracy

Evaluate source for objectivity

Evaluate source for currency

Evaluate source for coverage (scope)

Outcomes

Be critical

Automatically check web resources for authority, currency, objectivity, scope, etc. before using

Skills

Use various basic resources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, statistical works, almanacs,      atlases, style manuals) whether in print or online

Use tables of contents and indexes

Outcomes

Know when it is appropriate to use basic reference sources

Identify and find the various types of basic resources whether in print or online

Use these resources to answer basic reference questions on various subjects

Skills

Use various advanced reference resources whether in print or online

Outcomes

Know when it is appropriate to use advanced resources

Identify and find the various types of advanced resources

Use these resources to answer advanced reference questions on various subjects

Skills

Understand all related terms and concepts (word or phrase, subject heading, truncation, etc.)

Formulate search strategies for books and AV materials

Determine the appropriate access point (word or phrase, subject, author, or title) and execure the       search accordingly

Understand and use limiting function

Understand and evaluate search results

Locate items using call numbers

Outcomes

Find books and AV materials in the Library applying all pertinent concepts and search skills

Skills

Know the ILL policies and procedures

Know how to access other online catalogs via the Internet

Outcomes

Be aware of resources outside of the library and know how to find them

Know how to acquire outside resources

Skills

Determine WC Library holdings

Find a periodical article using different formats (print, microforms, electronic)

Interpret complete article citations

Outcomes

Understand differences between general and subject-specific indexes

Find appropriate indexes and articles

Skills

Understand the basics of the Internet (what it is, how it works, and why use it)

Be familiar with key terms, concepts, and tools of the Internet (www, browsers, URLs, etc.)

Select and use appropriate search engines

Evaluate search results

Document Internet resources

Outcomes

Navigate and use the College's webpages

Use appropriate search engines

Evaluate and document information found on the Internet