Critical Information Literacy Immersion Program

UNCW Library and Center for Teaching Excellence Critical Information Literacy Immersion Program

ABOUT THE CRITICAL INFORMATION LITERACY IMMERSION PROGRAM

As the Information Literacy Faculty Fellows closed its 6th year, this signature faculty development opportunity is reimagined as The Critical Information Literacy Immersion Program (CILIP).

CILIP offers participants an in-depth, interdisciplinary learning opportunity to both cultivate advanced pedagogical skills and experiment with instructional strategies needed to integrate critical information literacy (CIL) into university curricula. Participants will learn best practices for information literacy pedagogy by engaging with CIL and the Association of College & Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education. Accepted participants who complete all program requirements will be recognized as Critical Information Literacy Scholars. CILIP Scholars are a core group of UNCW faculty and instructors who are interested in applying cutting-edge, inclusive information literacy concepts to teaching in their discipline. The program is co-sponsored by UNCW Library and the Center for Teaching Excellence. 

Since the inaugural program in 2018, this program has become an annual event. CILIP Scholars will engage in a yearlong immersion program, from Spring 2024-Spring 2025, for projects to be implemented Spring 2025 or later. The theme for the 2024-2025 academic year is Critical Information Literacy: How do we find, interpret, analyze, and use information in our lives? How is information created, distributed, and received? Critical information literacy (CIL) examines the influence of systems of power and the sociopolitical dimensions relevant to these important questions.

Students are benefited by critical thinking skills, the capacity to recognize and negotiate bias, the ability to make informed decisions, and an orientation to lifelong learning—all outcomes of critical information literacy. The effects are far-reaching, influencing students’ personal, professional, and civic lives.  

Critical Information Literacy Scholars will:

  • Attend and actively participate in eight sessions: a special faculty development workshop, four foundational sessions, a project planning lab, and a minimum of two elective sessions;
  • Complete asynchronous Canvas modules;
  • Collaborate with a liaison librarian to develop and implement a curriculum-based project applying one or more CIL frames;
  • Reflect on the learning experience and project outcomes, identifying successes, challenges, and areas for improvement in future applications;
  • Submit a project to a shared repository of instructional objects; and
  • Feature the project with a poster submission to the CTE Transformative Teaching Showcase.  

BENEFITS (OR WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?)

  • Earn a plaque and Certificate of Recognition as the Critical Information Literacy Scholar 
  • Receive targeted support from information literacy experts for your project 
  • Engage in a community of colleagues and CIL experts to enhance your teaching  
  • Gain recognition for your expertise with a listing on the CTE website 

TIMELINE

In order to accommodate various schedules, the CILIP program includes both required components and elective options throughout the academic year. 
 
CILIP is organized by three phases: learning, designing, and implementing. During the learning phase, participants will engage in a special topic session, 4 foundational sessions, and 2 elective sessions. The design phase will be supported by engagement in at least 1 lab session during which participants will engage with experts and peers for individualized support in developing their project. In the final semester (the implementation phase), participants will execute their projects and reflect on their experience as critical information literacy scholars.  
 
The chart below highlights the timeline of activities and requirements.  

SemesterPhaseRequirement
Spring 2024Learning
  • Attend a Special Faculty Development Workshop 
    • Thursday, March 14, 2:00 – 4:00 pm featuring Mike Caulfield 
  • Attend Foundational Session 1 
    • Tuesday, April 2, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Fall 2024Learning | Designing
  • Attend Foundational Sessions 2, 3, and 4
    • Foundation Session 2: Friday, September 20, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • Foundation Session 3: Friday, October 18, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    • Foundation Session 4: Friday, November 22, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Complete Canvas modules 
  • Attend at least 1 Project Planning lab workshop to support developing the CIL project 
    • Friday, November 8, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Spring 2025Implementation
  • Implement project 
  • Submit project to the repository 
  • Feature project with a poster at the CTE Transformative Teaching Showcase 

INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING? 

Successful applications demonstrate interest in and engagement with information literacy, as well an ability to share program content with colleagues. Applications will be evaluated based on the clarity, specificity, and feasibility of your goals for participating in this program.

All faculty and instructors who teach classes are eligible to apply. We seek representation from schools and departments across UNCW. New faculty and teaching assistants are also encouraged to apply.

Applications are now closed.

 

QUESTIONS

 

Got questions? Contact the CILIP Facilitators:

  • Brittany O'Neill (Information Literacy Librarian, UNCW Library), oneillb@uncw.edu.
  • Anastasia Kuz-Grady (Educational Developer, Center for Teaching Excellence), kuzgradya@uncw.edu. 

INFORMATION FOR 2024-2025 COHORT 

Applications are now closed.

The 2024-2025 CILIP will be run in a flipped model in which Scholars will engage with asynchronous learning materials in Canvas alongside in-person Foundations sessions to apply and discuss their learning. Elective sessions may be held in-person and online.

Required Sessions

Participants must attend all required sessions to qualify as a CILIP Scholar.

  • Special Faculty Development Workshop: Thursday, March 14, 2:00 – 4:00 pm Teaching with SIFT (with Mike Caulfield)   
  • Foundation Session 1: Tuesday, April 2, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
  • Foundation Session 2: Friday, September 20, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Foundation Session 3: Friday, October 18, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Foundation Session 4: Friday, November 22, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Project Planning Lab: Friday, November 8, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

In addition, Scholars must meet at least once with their liaison librarian prior to submitting their final project. Scholars should contact their liaison librarian to set this up.

Elective Activities

Participants must complete at least 2 electives before submitting their final project in Spring 2025. Attendance at more than 2 sessions is encouraged!

Spring 2024 Electives:

  • Keynote Speech: "It's not misleading content, it's misrepresented evidence,” (with Mike Caulfield)
    • Friday, March 15, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Panel Discussion: Critical Artificial Intelligence (with the Critical AI SAIL team)
    • Thursday, March 21, 2:00 – 3:15 pm
  • Racial Justice Learning Community (RJLC) | Space and Grace Series: Critical Thinking with Artificial Intelligence
    • Tuesday, April 23, 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Randall Hall 2014, Faculty Commons

Fall 2024 Electives:

Additional Opportunities:

  • Schedule a consultation with Jennifer Sias, Senior Instructional Designer for Distance Education and eLearning (jsias@uncw.edu), to discuss best practices for instructional design for your project.

More elective options will be held in Spring 2025. These will include:

  • Additional lab sessions
  • And more – stay tuned for updates!

Final Project

•    Submit to the ACRL Sandbox in Spring 2025.
•    Add the tag UNCWCILIP to your project.
•    View previous projects (retired repository)

Project Implementation

Projects should ideally be implemented between Spring 2025 and Fall 2025. Scholars will be recognized and earn a Certificate of Recognition upon completion.

Links for Program Participants

Examples of Effective Library Assignments