Review of AI and education

A critical review published by the Ada Lovelace Institute & the Nuffield Foundation in January 2025, focusing on schools, but (I think) with application to other educational levels (and countries) is A landscape review of AI and education in the UK..
"Our aims were to bring greater clarity on the role of AI in schools, to support policy and educational experts to navigate these issues, and to highlight priorities for further research and policy".
Conclusions include " Education-specific AI tools are barely emergent"; "The evidence base is limited on the pedagogical efficacy of using AI in EdTech, whether for general learning and teaching, for SEND or for administration" and "The regulation and governance of AI in EdTech has not kept pace with the evolution of the products, leaving pupils and schools exposed to potentially risky technologies being deployed."
Samson, R & Pothong, K. (2025). Discussion paper: January 2025: A learning curve? A landscape review of AI and education in the UK. Ada Lovelace Institute. https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ada-Lovelace-Institute-A-learning-curve.pdf
Photo by Sheila Webber: different type of landscape: crocus are in bloom, March 2025

#IWD2025 celebrating women colleagues

To celebrate International Women's Day, I highlight papers by women colleagues in the Information School, University of Sheffield (all open access). Firstly, a report on health information literacy research that includes my colleagues Dr Pam Mckinney & Dr Laura Sbaffi:
McKinney, P., Sbaffi, L., Cox, A., Bath, P., Robinson, A. & Wiltshire, M. (2024). Health Information Literacy in Marginalised Communities: End of project report: Co-production workshops with the Sheffield Roma, Yemeni and Somali Communities. https://doi.org/10.15131/shef.data.25315672.v1 

Secondly, research on digital inclusion, with authors including colleagues Dr Sharon Wagg, Dr Bethany Aylward & Dr Sara Vannini:
Wagg, S., Vannini, S., Zammani, E., Klyshbekova, M. & Aylward, B. (2024). Digital inclusion network building: a network weaving analysis. UK Academy for Information Systems. Conference Proceedings 2024 https://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1020&context=ukais2024 "This paper aims to investigate digital inclusion network building as a mechanism for reducing digital poverty. Analysing a rural digital inclusion network in the UK, and drawing on Network Weaving Theory (Holley, 2013), this case study analyses how people’s roles and places play a big part in both the construction and growth of the network, as well as in the advancements of its initiatives. " 

Finally, one on EDI in usability testing, including colleagues Dr Sophie Rutter & Dr Jo McKenna-Aspell:
Rutter, S., Zamani, E., McKenna-Aspell, J. & Wang, Y. (2024). Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in usability testing: Recommendations and a research agenda. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 188, Article 103278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2024.103278

Alfamed

Alfamed is a network of Hispanic researchers in South America and Europe, focused on media literacy "The main concern of the network is creating collaborative research related to communication and education. Specifically, media literacy of citizenship; education & media literacy" with a cross disciplinary perspective. The website at https://www.redalfamed.org/copia-de-inicio has numerous Spanish-language resources (and also Portuguese, but more Spanish), including, for example, the substantial proceedings of their 2024 conference

Research methods: using GenAI as a tool; Using an online map in interviews; Co-experiencing photos

Glessmer, M. S., & Forsyth, R. (2025). Superficially plausible outputs from a black box: Problematising genAI tools for analysing qualitative SoTL aata. Teaching and Learning Inquiry, 13, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.13.4 [SoTL = Scholarhip of Teaching & Learning] Spoiler alert: the authors indeed discovered some problems! Open access - as are the following two articles.

Watson, A., & Kirby, E. (2025). Affective routes in interviews: Participants exploring a digital map as a live elicitation method. Qualitative Research, 25(1), 243-262. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241245961. " In this article we discuss participant-led explorations of a digital story-mapping platform as an elicitation technique in qualitative interviews. This platform is Queering the Map, a community-generated counter-mapping project that digitally archives queer moments in place." Engaging insights, for example in the emergence of "generative silence" in the sessions. 

Rowsell, J. (2025). Affecting photos: Photographs as shared, affective ethnographic spaces. Qualitative Research, 25(1), 207-226. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241246173 Co-experience connects this article to the previous one (in this article, photos, in the previous one, map exploration).
Photo by Sheila Webber: catching the moment when the tree's shadow aligned with the recycling bin.... February 2025

Registration open: #CALC25

You can now register for the online Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference (CALC2025) 13-15 May 2025 (in the UK time zone, BST). Tickets are a very reasonable £15, and you can also choose to buy a ticket to be donated to someone from an underrepresented and/or marginalised community.
Lots of interesting presentations and workshops e.g. Libraries and care-experienced young people; The things you see us carry: critiques of the Human Library; Friendly, radical and ambivalent: fat librarians and professional identity; A health library in Africa: self-reflections on colonialism and white supremacy; Looking for help: exploring the information behaviour of survivors of sexual assault.
Keynotes are Sacha Coward and Teresa Helena Moreno.
Go to https://sites.google.com/view/calcconference/calc2025

Students using generative AI tools for academic writing

Issue 34 (2025) of the open-access Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education (JLDHE) has been published. I will highlight an article that details how a sample of 30 students used different AI tools in the early stages of assignment-writing:
Johnston, H., Eaton, M., Henry, I., Deeley, E.-M., & Parsons, B. N. (2025). Discovering how students use generative artificial intelligence tools for academic writing purposes. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (34). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi34.1301
"The aim of this project was to identify ways in which students are using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) technologies for the planning and researching stage of essay style assignments. The study recruited 30 students from various subject areas and levels of study and with different self-reported levels of confidence in using GAI tools. Each student was given three essay questions to choose from and 50 minutes to research their topic, make notes from sources, and put together an essay plan, using GAI tools if they deemed them useful. .. 21 (70%) used GAI technologies within their process." 
The whole of JLDHE issue 34 is at https://journal.aldinhe.ac.uk/index.php/jldhe/issue/view/50
Photo by Sheila Webber: signs of spring last week, hazel catkins, February 2025

Media Viability Manifesto

This report aims at identifying how "financially and editorially independent and diverse media" can be sustained. It is supported by 13 organisations, including UNESCO, Deutsche Welle Akademie, Fondation Hirondelle and IMS (International Media Support). 
"The Media Viability Manifesto (MVM) provides an urgently needed common framework for joint action from the global media development community. Its aim is three pronged: To foster conceptual clarity, to strengthen strategic collaboration between multiple stakeholders, and to align practical implementation in the field of Media Viability. The MVM is the culmination of input from 152 individuals from 55 countries and 86 organizations."
Go to https://mediaviabilitymanifesto.org/ - it is available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic It was launched with a panel session in January 2025, the recording is here https://youtu.be/wNmbv04XebE?si=RrSdLnQgtmayjxhY

Report: Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science

A pertinent 2024 publication for current times by the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/27894
"Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science characterizes the nature, scope, and impacts of this phenomenon, and provides guidance on interventions, policies, and future research. This report is a comprehensive assessment of the available evidence and reflects a systems view of the problem given the broader historical and contemporary contexts that shape the lived experiences of people and their relationships to information. The report aims to illuminate the impacts of misinformation about science and potential solutions across a diversity of individual peoples, communities, and societies."
The chapters in this 300+ page publication are: Defining Misinformation About Science; Misinformation About Science: Understanding the Current Context; Sources of misinformation about science; Spred of misinformation about science; Impacts of misinformation about science; Intervening to address misinformation about science; The study of misinformation about science; Conclusions, recommendations and research agenda.
Photo by Sheila Webber: On the Heath v2 (I couldn't decide whether I preferred the version from under the tree (see previous post), or this one, February 2025

New articles: Students' infolit; Online teaching; First-year writing courses; Zines

The latest issue of open access journal College and Research Libraries (Vol 86 Issue 2 2025) includes:
- Assessing Students’ Information Literacy: Attitudes and Perceptions of College Students Across Generations by Heather A. Dalal, Arthur Taylor, Sharon Whitfield
- Ongoing Changes in Virtual Reference and Online Instruction in Academic Libraries by Caterina Reed, Paria Aria, Guinsly Mondésir, Harvey Long
- Speaking the Same Language: A Phenomenological Study Investigating Librarian and Writing Instructor Shared Frameworks in First-Year Writing Courses by Amy C. Rice, Dennis D. Cartwright, Lauren Hays, Grace Veach
- The Role of Academic Libraries in the Shifting Landscape of Zines by Evan Bobrow
- Assessing the Impact of Consultations with Librarians on Faculty Research: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study by Rachel A. Koenig, John W. Cyrus (not so much about information literacy, but sheds light on faculty's perceptions of librarians)
Go to https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/issue/view/1673/showToc
Photo by Sheila Webber: On the Heath, February 2025

Chatting Info Lit: International Schools

Latest podcast episode (27 Jan 2025) from Chatting Info Lit is about International Schools (featuring two Sheffield iSchool alumni!). "In this episode, we talk to two school librarians: Jacob Lusk (International School of London) and Eleni Karakosta (Raha International School, Khalifa City Campus). Jacob and Eleni share their experiences of taking on a school library role, teaching information literacy for children, interacting with students and teachers, and getting involved in larger projects as a new professional. Jacob talks through the logistics of a library move, while Eleni shares her work on a student volunteer programme."
Go to https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TJ5zhoqSCojFE0GxYUmYb

Call for papers: LIANZA 2025

Taking place in Wellington, New Zealand in-person 23-24 September 2025, the call for papers is open for LIANZA 2025, with the theme: Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au - Sustaining and Changing. The call closes on 28 April 2025.
"Taiao is a Māori word that can mean 'the natural world' or the 'environment'. It can also refer to the land, water, climate, and living beings that make up the natural world. "Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au" can take on new meanings. I am the natural world, and the natural world is me, so too, I am the land, water and so forth. In the Māori worldview, the environment is part of the collective and collective thinking. In this conference, te taiao is central to our planning and implementation."
The threads of the conference are:
- He puna kōrero horopū – Information today (Libraries ensure that people have access to the information they need when they need it. How can we ensure our communities and users have access to trusted information resources in times of challenges and change?)
- Toitū te Taiao, Toitū Te Tiriti. (Upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in an ever-changing environment. How can library, information, culture and heritage services ensure they uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi?)
- He kete matatau, he kete matatini – Libraries and literacies (Libraries are essential to connecting people with literature and information and to facilitate reading for pleasure. What can you share that has made a difference in this area?)
- Te kuneroa – The future (What does the future hold for our sector? How can we support our communities to respond to climate change? How do we approach the continual shift to digital?)
- Kia whai wāhi te hapori kia whanake – Community engagement and transformation (Libraries work to promote community engagement and transformation. What are the innovations, strategies and actions we can take to ensure connectivity, community transformation and inter-generational activity and learning?)
Proposals can be for: Lightning talk (10 mins incl Q&A); Paper (30 mins incl Q&A); Panel (60 mins incl Q&A); Workshop (60 or 90 mins); Kōrero (30 or 60 mins: A less formal opportunity for people to come together to discuss an area of interest. Presented in person with the proposer facilitating the discussion.) or Other (Have a great idea for another presentation type? Tell us your idea)
More information at: https://www.lianza.org.nz/conference-2025/
Photo by Sheila Webber: tree against the dusk sky, February 2025

Bursary to attend LILAC

The Health Libraries Group (HLG) Committee is offering a bursary for a HLG member to attend the LILAC Conference (14-16 April 2025, in person in Cardiff, Wales). Closing date is 7 March 2025.
"The bursary covers the cost for a Full Conference (including networking and conference dinner) ticket (cost £435.00). Please note that the bursary does not include accommodation or travel. To submit your application for the bursary place, please complete the online application form. Applications should demonstrate why you would like to attend this specific conference and what benefits you would gain from attending; it should also show your interest in Health Libraries and Information."
Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLGbursary_LILAC2024

New media and Information Literacy toolkit from UNESCO

UNESCO just launched a publication aimed organisations supporting young people - Journey through the MILtiverse: media and information literacy toolkit for youth organizations.
It is partly quizzes and partly self-auditing questions, and starts by asking the leaders/staff in the organisation to identify their organisation's mission, definition of MIL etc. It is divided into "missions" concerning different aspacts of MIL.
"this toolkit is for all youth organizations seeking to make MIL a central part of their approach. It includes model policies and strategies, checklists, educational tips, and other resources needed to bring MIL to life within your organization."
It looks to me like something that would be well-suited to making into an online version, but I don't know whether they have that in mind.
Acero Pulgarin, S., Martinovic, M., González-Gil, N. & Santamaría Virviescas, A. (2024). Journey through the MILtiverse: media and information literacy toolkit for youth organizations. UNESCO https://doi.org/10.58338/APOC5995