ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for higher education

Scholarship as a conversation

At first I was confused with this context because one word can have different meanings.  I had to look for the definition of scholarship in information  literacy to understand the context, it says that scholarship is a significant, creative, original engagement with an idea, which include  research that advances theoretical knowledge  or the production of a work or art.  Conversation is defined as a spoken conversation between two people or more, sharing ideas, opinions, and feelings

I came up with the better understanding that scholarship as a conversation is based on taking ideas of others and combine them into a readable document, the other definition is where the ideas are created, debated and weighed against one another over extended period of time e.g. when we do our research projects we search for what other researchers or theorists say about that particular topic, we then combine that information and add our opinions and feelings with the aim of reporting the answers and discoveries found through the research, not forgetting to acknowledge that persons work.

Understanding the context is the key, one cannot be involved in the debate not knowing what the topic is all about, same as with the research or even assignment, a student need to have a better understanding of the topic.  Librarian and the user can have a conversation to come up with the meaning because sometimes a librarian give the wrong information  to students because they didn't understand the question, then find out when the other group comes with the same topic with better understanding.

Scholarship as a conversation is a threshold which focused on six concepts that I think the librarians and educators can I apply during the information literacy sessions to assist students:
*  Authority is constructed and con textual
*  Information creation as a process
* Information has a value
*  Research as inquiry
*  Scholarship as a conversation
*  Searching as a strategic exploration

Where do we practice scholarship as a conversation?

When given a research topic, the students have to find out more information about the topic and what other researchers are saying.  Most of the times theories support, comment or refer to each other.  The students will use all the information resources to compare the information then quote the researchers statement, write opinion or views about it and relate that with one of the researchers statements.  The researchers are our passageway to enlarge our understanding and ways of thinking to complete our research.

Another example is at work when professionals debating about a certain topic, during their conversation they share ideas, findings, supporting their statements by referring to the policy or other findings to come up with the solution.

How can educators enhance this framework within learners.

I have read that librarians can also enhance this in libraries by having conversation  with the students,  giving tasks, form group discussions and ask questions.

Educators  - Form Group discussions, each group discuss the same topic, within the group combine all the findings into one document.  Information can be interpreted differently, students can come together and debate the meaning.

Thanks colleagues

 I have typed this on my phone, my apologies if it's not in order.