Information Literacy with "Rizz": Connecting with Gen-Z Students through Contemporary and Tailored Pedagogical Approaches
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Conference Strand
Diversity and Inclusion
Target Audience
Higher Education
Second Target Audience
K-12
Relevance
My proposal relates to the teaching and learning of information literacy because each of my classes and consultations with the students derives from the definition and six concepts of Information Literacy from the Association of College and Research Libraries. Primarily, I have an obligation to ensure that this new generation of learners has the skills to navigate the vast amounts of information in our society. Generation Z (born approximately from 1997 to 2012) is entering the academic world with unique learning styles and needs. While it is necessary to tailor Information Literacy to meet this new group of learners, it is also vital to adhere to the trusted concepts and methods of information literacy.
Proposal
With the consistent advancements in technology and increased output of information in today’s era, it is even more important that our students in higher education apply the skills of information literacy in all aspects of their lives. The current generation of students is popularly referred to as Gen-Z, with Gen-Alpha expected to enter the academic world in three years. This new era of learners was born into a digital world and is becoming increasingly dependent on technologies such as Gen AI, augmented or virtual reality, and advanced mobile devices. Even with the innovations in our digital world, the six trusted concepts of ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education are a reliable basis to create curriculum, tailor teaching, and apply new learning approaches to reach our students.
With the presentation, the presenter will (1) highlight proven pedagogical methods applied towards the Information Literacy sessions of undergraduate students at Tuskegee University, (2) demonstrate new techniques to enhance the learning of the students, and (3) note the anticipated future information literacy needs of our students. Customized information literacy sessions require a distinctive design to meet the requests of the professor and the desires of the students, consistently adapting to fulfill the information needs of both groups. Blending traditional approaches with new techniques is vital. The presenter will share actual approaches to illuminate the applicability of these methods further. Examples shared include the curricula from classes, links to video sessions with students in distance education, and activities employed in the class.
The participants of this conference will find the information relevant to their profession because librarians strive to stay abreast of the diverse learning styles of our faculty, students, and researchers. To engage the audience of the conference, tables and figures from the Information Literacy sessions will display the student and faculty experience. Additionally, the audience will engage in dialogue with the presenter about their personal experience addressing the information literacy needs of the new generation of students.
Short Description
This new era of learners was born into a digital world and is becoming increasingly dependent on technologies such as Gen AI, augmented or virtual reality, and advanced mobile devices. Even with recent innovations, the six trusted concepts of ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education are a reliable basis to create curriculum, tailor teaching, and apply new learning approaches to reach our students.
Keywords
library and information science, information literacy, AI literacy, education, curriculum, instruction, teaching
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Caddell, Constance M., "Information Literacy with "Rizz": Connecting with Gen-Z Students through Contemporary and Tailored Pedagogical Approaches" (2026). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 2.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2026/2026/2
Information Literacy with "Rizz": Connecting with Gen-Z Students through Contemporary and Tailored Pedagogical Approaches
With the consistent advancements in technology and increased output of information in today’s era, it is even more important that our students in higher education apply the skills of information literacy in all aspects of their lives. The current generation of students is popularly referred to as Gen-Z, with Gen-Alpha expected to enter the academic world in three years. This new era of learners was born into a digital world and is becoming increasingly dependent on technologies such as Gen AI, augmented or virtual reality, and advanced mobile devices. Even with the innovations in our digital world, the six trusted concepts of ACRL’s Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education are a reliable basis to create curriculum, tailor teaching, and apply new learning approaches to reach our students.
With the presentation, the presenter will (1) highlight proven pedagogical methods applied towards the Information Literacy sessions of undergraduate students at Tuskegee University, (2) demonstrate new techniques to enhance the learning of the students, and (3) note the anticipated future information literacy needs of our students. Customized information literacy sessions require a distinctive design to meet the requests of the professor and the desires of the students, consistently adapting to fulfill the information needs of both groups. Blending traditional approaches with new techniques is vital. The presenter will share actual approaches to illuminate the applicability of these methods further. Examples shared include the curricula from classes, links to video sessions with students in distance education, and activities employed in the class.
The participants of this conference will find the information relevant to their profession because librarians strive to stay abreast of the diverse learning styles of our faculty, students, and researchers. To engage the audience of the conference, tables and figures from the Information Literacy sessions will display the student and faculty experience. Additionally, the audience will engage in dialogue with the presenter about their personal experience addressing the information literacy needs of the new generation of students.
