Teaching Information Literacy: Reflecting on Research in the Age of AI

Session Submission Type: TLC Workshop

Session Description

College students enter our classrooms today comfortable with a multitude of AI tools and services that promise to aid their learning, writing, and research. Meanwhile, many faculty and librarians view such generative AI and other aids with trepidation, concerned about the ways in which they will change political science education and teaching. As with all new technologies, there are significant challenges that we will confront as we consider their affordances. Educators must rethink how to foster students’ critical thinking, information literacy, communication, and research skills—typically long-term objectives—in light of rapidly developing apps and programs that aim to reduce effort and provide quick results.

This workshop from political science librarians will consider ways to incorporate AI into the research and writing process as well as limitations and risks posed by these emergent tools. We will discuss and demonstrate active and experiential learning techniques that obviate the influence of AI. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own teaching experiences and discuss together what openings AI presents for innovation in their own research courses. We will also encourage attendees to work with librarians on their campuses and provide ideas for such collaborative efforts.

Sub Unit

• TLC at APSA

Chair

• Kimberly MacVaugh Georgetown University

Presenter

• Rachel Olsen UNC Greensboro