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Information Literacy Core Competency

SUNY General Education Framework (SUNY GE) On November 9, 2021, the SUNY Board of Trustees passed Resolution 2021-48 establishing the new SUNY General Education Framework (SUNY GE). The new SUNY GE policy is consistent with SUNY’s continuing commitment to a strong general education program—now applicable to all SUNY undergraduate degree programs—that addresses the fundamental aims of postsecondary undergraduate education. This includes proficiency with essential skills and competencies, familiarization with disciplinary and interdisciplinary ways of knowing, enhancement of the values and disposition of an engaged 21st century global citizenry, and encouragement of individual campuses to develop unique signature features, including their respective array of educational offerings and pedagogical approaches. The SUNY General Education Framework is effective fall 2023, for new first-time students entering AA-, AS-, and baccalaureate-degree programs; and effective fall of 2024, for new first-time students entering AAS- and AOS-degree programs.

Information Literacy Core Competency

Students will

locate information effectively using tools appropriate to their need and discipline;
evaluate information with an awareness of authority, validity, and bias; and
demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dimensions of information use, creation, and dissemination.

Guidance

Students need to acquire information literacy appropriate to the demands of the 21st century citizen, and campuses must have flexibility to implement and assess these learning outcomes across a diverse range of academic programs.

The Information Literacy core competency is not necessarily associated with any one course, though the student learning outcomes may be required in one or more specific courses. In either case, campuses must ensure that the required learning outcomes are included in each undergraduate degree curriculum.

Information Literacy Standards

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, adopted these guidelines in 2016, encouraging multimedia resources, emphasis on evaluation and more:

Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

The Framework concepts are currently informally integrated throughout library research sessions:

Information Literacy Tutorial

Information Literacy Tutorial (Jefferson Community College)
JCC has created this excellent overview of information literacy concepts.

To Learn More

Consult with a librarian for ways to incorporate information literacy.