Flexible Information Literacy Alternatives for Independent Learners

Abstract

Since 1971, SUNY Empire State College has provided flexible learning opportunities for adult learners across a distributed campus of more than 40 New York state locations. Available study modes include independent learning contracts, local study groups, intensive residency weekends, and distance-learning courses. As a result, the college is faced with balancing the need for centralized information literacy resources while retaining the pedagogical elements of the various modes of study. To meet these needs, the college has developed two options for delivering information literacy training, an online, self-paced independent study and a Web-based distance-learning course led by a librarian. This presentation details efforts to adapt and refine these resources to satisfy the needs of these different student and faculty audiences.