Teaching information literacy to online learners: challenges, advantages, and tools to consider in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic shifted library instruction from in-person to virtual. Libraries responded to this demand through various methods, many of which required the use of new or unfamiliar tools. This article discusses the various applications that can be used for synchronous teaching, as well as the benefits and challenges of this modality shift, including some of the reasons to continue pursuing improvement in this teaching area beyond the immediate needs of the pandemic.

Keywords:

• Information literacy
• synchronous teaching
• COVID-19
• web-conferencing software

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer Joe

Jennifer Joe is the Undergraduate Engagement Librarian and a First-Year Experience instructor at the University of Toledo, where she has worked since 2019.