Supporting Information Literacy in the Social Sciences: An Interview with Librarian Melissa Cardenas-Dow

With more emphasis on data and numbers, the fields in social sciences are becoming more interdisciplinary-based with focuses on research methods and data collection plans. But what does that mean for instruction librarians supporting these research areas? Social sciences can include history, psychology, sociology, anthropology, ethnic studies, women’s studies, geography, political science, economics, and more. […]

How to Plan a Comprehensive Professional Development Strategy

If you’re struggling to motivate yourself and you feel as though you’re stuck in a career rut, then it’s time for you to take action. Some of the most inspirational figures of this generation swear by planning for a brighter future. They don’t necessarily believe in luck. Instead, they work on their skills, plans, and […]

Supreme Court Term Limits: A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

Featured in Issues & Controversies: Supreme Court Term Limits: Should U.S. Supreme Court Justices Have Term Limits? SUPPORTERS ARGUE U.S. Supreme Court justices have become too powerful and too divorced from the will of the American people. Term limits would depoliticize the confirmation process, ensure a diversity of viewpoints among justices, and make the Court […]

You Say Fake News, I Say Misinformation: What’s in a Term

Why Is the Term “Fake News” Problematic? You may have heard the term “fake news” in recent years used to describe misrepresented or falsified information. The problem of inaccurate and unreliable information spreading, particularly online over social media, is indeed significant. However, the term “fake news” is problematic for several reasons. While some users may […]

2020 Presidential Race: A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

Featured in Issues & Controversies: 2020 PRESIDENTIAL RACE: Should Voters Reelect President Donald Trump (R)? SUPPORTERS ARGUE Donald Trump has successfully bolstered the U.S. economy, fought for American workers through trade deals, projected strength on the international stage, protected the nation’s borders, and safeguarded religious freedom. Attacks against his character and capabilities have been hysterical […]

Mandatory Vaccinations: A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

Featured in Issues & Controversies: Mandatory Vacations: Should Vaccination Be Mandatory? SUPPORTERS ARGUE Vaccines save lives. Herd immunity is essential to safeguarding public health and protecting people with immune system disorders. Scientists have thoroughly debunked claims that vaccines are harmful, and states should not concede to a fringe and dangerous anti-vax movement by allowing selfish […]

Thinking about Accessibility for Your Virtual Programs

Whether you are offering information literacy workshops virtually or hosting an online program featuring guest speakers during this time, it is important to think about accessibility needs. You may have users who prefer closed captioning of your virtual sessions. Recently the American Library Association’s Accessibility Assembly released two new important toolkits: Accessible Communication Styles Virtual […]

Summer Readings for 2020: Open Access Editions

Looking for a good book to read during the summer? Recently I came across some interesting new publications on social media channels. These recent open access publications may get you thinking of new practices, theories, and services to consider for your community.   Marking Open and Affordable Courses: Best Practices and Case Studies edited by […]

Solution Showcase: Personalize Your Professional Learning

Personalized and in-depth professional learning opportunities foster effective teachers, engaged parents, and prepared students. Professional development has moved away from the sit-and-get learning style and pivoted towards interactive, outcome-based learning. Infobase provides districts the ability to take online instructional content to the next level. With our 100,000+ hours of professional learning content, Infobase provides a […]

Trending Professional Development Topics in Our New Reality

As schools closed in March and went remote, educators were tasked with adapting new teaching strategies and online management tools. As teachers and administrators across the country changed course, the heavy weight of doing your best to ensure students’ basic needs were met didn’t come without challenges. Ensuring students are fed, safe, secure, and engaged […]