A strengths-based approach to information literacy

A strengths-based approach to education is a clear departure from remediation, or a deficit-reduction model. The key objective is to help students identify and build on their unique and naturally existing talents. When recognised and developed further, these talents become “strengths” and enable learners to provide consistent, near-perfect performance in a given activity. A focus on strengths instills a sense of purpose and helps students become confident lifelong learners. Strengths-based initiatives are usually campus-wide with plenty of cross-departmental collaboration with the goal of creating a common language/framework to enable student progression and help learners to balance the demands of coursework, extra-curricular activities, employment and family. This presentation is based on a case study at GSM London, a private HE provider, where the library proactively explored opportunities to align its activities to the strengths-based curriculum. This includes embedded interventions that aim to help students develop the core skills and competencies (through individual tasks) as well as attitudes and behaviours (e.g. through collaboration on a group assignment). Incorporating strengths in library activities proves to considerably enrich student outcomes. The ultimate goal is to help students become active participants in their own learning and empower them to experiment with ideas to arrive at new ways of performing work in an increasingly digital economy