Raising Awareness of Diversity and Inclusion in One-shot Information Literacy Classes

Abstract In a typical IL session, students come from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. Students have varied perceptions of library services and the roles of librarians. They have different learning styles and expectations. They also have varied communication preferences. The presenter/author implemented a method that strategically integrates assessment activities with student engagement tools to develop an inclusive learning environment. For instance, the practice of starting a session with a short survey of students’ needs is helpful to the librarian. Extending that practice by immediately sharing the results of the survey with students informs them of the needs of their peers. When students realize the diversity of their cohort, they understand the importance of the IL session. Additionally, the librarian is able to adjust the lesson plan to meet the needs of the diverse group. In this paper/presentation, the author will present practical examples of planning, designing, and implementing assessment activities using various student engagement tools to create an inclusive learning environment. Librarians can apply this method of using assessment tools to raise awareness of diversity and inclusion within the constraints of a one-shot IL session. The dual purpose of this method is also appreciated and adopted by instructors of other courses.