Primary Source Literacy and AI Literacy

This information literacy workshop designed for an advanced undergraduate history course introduces students to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) while strengthening primary source literacy (the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively use primary sources). Anchored by the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy frame Authority Is Constructed and Contextual, the workshop employs an innovative pedagogical device, the Spectrum of Authority, to help students critically evaluate information sources. 

Although the context here is for a specific North American history course, HIST 434: British North America, 1760-1867, the foundation can be adapted to other history classes by replacing the documents with those appropriate to the chronological and thematic focus of the course. The Spectrum of Authority device is discipline-agnostic and can be utilized by anyone teaching the Authority frame regardless of disciplinary context.

Finally, you do not need to be an AI expert to teach a workshop in this style. A general understanding of GenAI, LLMs, and a willingness to experiment are all that's required. Teaching a workshop of this sort provides a relatively easy way to dip your toes into learning about and using GenAI, allowing you to more confidently speak on GenAI in instruction settings and reference interactions.

Lesson package includes:

1. Guideline document for running the activity
2. Student worksheet for in-class activity
3. Sample slides that can be adapted