Here at the d'Alzon Library, we try to keep up with the latest news related to student learning, information or digital literacy, and resource evaluation.

Each month, we'd like to share with you some of our favorite recent reads. Enjoy!




Rethinking Literacy Skills in a Digital World.  United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  September 8, 2017.

International Literacy Day took place on September 8th, with the focus this year on "Literacy in a Digital World."  More than 200 stakeholders from around the world met for a conference in Paris to discuss and examine what kind of literacy skills people need to navigate increasingly digitally-mediated societies.

Information Underload. By Mike Caulfield. Hapgood.  July 19, 2017.

The author suggests that our most advanced technologies should be focused on the creation of quality information, rather than the organization of existing information.  The advancement of search algorithms and related tools will do little good if the quality and frequency of our research diminishes.

High-Impact Practices Help Students Succeed During University Expansion. Association of American Colleges & Universities. May 2017.

This case study presents how Texas A&M-San Antonio used high-impact practices to help first-generation and minority first-years to succeed in their college careers. The HIPs used were focused on service and experiential learning. The methods used are applicable to any demographic of first year students.

Perspectives - Mythbusting the Skills Gap. AAC&U News. May 2017.

This article discusses several recent studies and opinion pieces that urge a reframing of the response to the "skills gap" problem.

OPINION: Students Can't Repay Loans Without Jobs - Here's How to Navigate the 'Last Mile' from Diploma to Employment. By Matt Sigelman. The Hechinger Report. March 13, 2017.

The author, CEO of an employment analytics firm, argues that a skills gap does exist, just not in the way that educators and employers fear.  He writes that students are "leaving school with a valuable set of skills but often lack that last specific skill or two that can clinch the first job.  Too many students are almost qualified - and almost isn't good enough."

Post-Truth, False News, and Information Literacy. By William Badke. Online Searcher: Information Discovery, Technology, Strategies. Volume 41, Number 4. July/August 2017.

The author provides a brief discussion of the fake news landscape and attempts to address it.

Finding Quality Free Images. By Jennifer E. Burke. Marketing Library Services. Volume 31, Number 4. July/August 2017.

The author provides some alternatives to Flickr for free photos in the public domain.