AI-Powered Learning: Blending AI with Active Learning in the Information Literacy Classroom

In 2016, the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education launched in response to more voluminous, less-vetted online information, including misinformation and content farms. Subsequently, the ACRL Framework has been widely adopted, and numerous high-quality lesson plans and resources for teaching the frames already exist, including published lesson plans and textbooks. Now, generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and other chat bots present new challenges for information literacy educators. For instance, in addition to teaching students how to identify issues such as fake news, the information literacy professional has to address topics such as ethical AI use, AI hallucination detection, AI prompt development, and the possibility of encountering AI-written information on the web. Existing resources for teaching the frames can be readily applied to teaching both the ethical use of AI and how to navigate a research landscape where AI is a potential producer of information. We identified and cited multiple published lesson plans for each frame that you can use to teach AI in the classroom. Example issues addressed by these lesson plans include the commodification of personal data on AI platforms, prompt engineering, citation management, and hallucination detection.