Digital Commons Network^™

Function Before Form: Designing The Ideal Library Classroom, Diane Dallis, Carrie Donovan

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

At Indiana University-Bloomington, the libraries house many rooms that are used for instructional purposes, but none represents the characteristics of an ideal learning environment. In order to address the growing instructional needs of the IUB libraries and the lack of appropriate space in which to provide IL instruction, the libraries created a committee that was charged with making recommendations for new library classrooms. The group started this task by conducting a literature review on the concepts of classroom design and best practices. Finding surprisingly little research or practical information published about classroom design with which to guide them, the committee …

Assessing One-Shot Instruction: Using Post-Assignment Evaluations To Build Better Assignments, Jennie E. Callas

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

As instruction librarians, teaching is the focus of our job, and evaluations of our teaching effectiveness should contribute to discussions of our overall performance. Traditional course evaluations are used by faculty who spend full semesters with students, but how can we evaluate teaching effectiveness in one-shot sessions? Freshman English students at R-MC evaluate library instruction AFTER they turn in the annotated bibliography assignment the instruction targets. The evaluation, which was developed in part because the original assignment was unsuited to the library’s resources and tools, enables students to reflect on their completion of the assignment and to evaluate teaching effectiveness …

Building And Designing Bridges - Enabling Bilingual Academic Learning Experiences, Eileen K. Bosch, Valeria E. Molteni

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

Attendees will have an opportunity to learn and discuss with two librarians from California State University System about the challenges and issues experienced in implementing bilingual services in reference and instructional sessions to bilingual speaking students on their campuses. In addition, attendees will be able to learn about a strong partnership developed between both librarians as well as empowering a curriculum relationship with faculty in Foreign and Romance Languages Departments. Presenters will also address how to create an ambiance of support to first generation students who often experience a lack of confidence necessary to be academically successful.

After the presentation, …

Wiki-Ing Your Wat Into Collaborative Learning, Molly Beestrum, Kenneth Orenic

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

Information Literacy and Library Instruction literature has touted the benefits of collaborative learning for years. Wikis have added a new dimension to the process of student collaborative learning. This interactive session will demonstrate how quickly and easily librarians can create classroom assignments that engage students, generate immediate results, promote collaboration, and reinforce learning objectives all through the use of a wiki.

Session participants will: * Examine the connection between collaborative or active-learning activities in library instruction and student learning outcomes, * Discuss the ways in which newer technologies, particularly wikis, can facilitate these connections, * Develop practical applications for the …

Library Instruction And Student Engagement In The Age Of Google, William H. Weare Jr., Michelle Kowalsky

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

A typical library instruction session generally includes demonstrations of how to use the library catalog, how to access information via library-provided electronic resources, and how to use the electronic journal list. Given limited time with a new group of students, many librarians would not opt to include instruction on how to effectively and efficiently use a search engine. The 2006 OCLC report College Students’ Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources indicates that “that 89 percent of college student information searches begin with a search engine." Librarians should also consider beginning their library instruction sessions at the place where their students …

We Go Together: An Information Literacy/English Composition Learning Community, Val Ontell

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

A Librarian and an English Professor combined their Community College classes into a learning community. Unlike most such collaborations, the two classes were scheduled back-to-back, blending their syllabi into one. The class was conducted as an integrated whole, with Information Literacy components scattered throughout the semester to facilitate learning the material at the most opportune time within the English curriculum. Greater student success resulted. This PowerPoint presentation will cover insights gained in collaborating with another faculty member to create a learning community, obstacles that may arise, and why this can be successful. Information handouts will be provided.

The Tablet Pc: Cool Toy Or Useful Tool?, Sara D. Miller

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

The tablet PC, or convertible laptop computer, is a relatively new technology - the potential of which is still being tested in the field of education and in libraries. This presentation will provide a brief overview of available tablets, evaluate some of their current uses in libraries and education, and demonstrate how a tablet PC is currently being used during information literacy sessions at Michigan State University. Participants will discuss the tablet’s potential uses in information literacy and will walk away with ideas, information, and best practices for incorporating this new technology into library instruction.

Improving Teaching And Learning Through Instructional Partnerships: Building Librarian Relationships With One-On-One, In-Depth Conversations, Rebecca Payne, Sheila Stoeckel

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

How can librarians work to improve their teaching and student learning and build relationships and community? One solution at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries is the creation of an Instructional Partnerships Program. The Program enables librarians to work on individual instructional goals with the help of a partner. Partner librarians help each other improve their teaching through self-directed activities of reflection, discussion, and observation. Presenters will discuss how the Program was developed and how partnerships are currently helping librarians improve their teaching skills and build supportive relationships with colleagues. With input from attendees, presenters will consider how the Program might …

Constructing A Three Credit Hour Information Literacy Course: A Blueprint For Success, Anne Pemberton, Rachel Radom

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2008

Instruction Librarians from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) will describe their creation, design, and teaching of a three credit hour undergraduate course that focuses on the development of information literacy skills. The course, “LIB 103: Introduction to Library Research and Technology”, is required for UNCW’s Information Technology minor, which is offered by the university’s Department of Computer Science. This interdisciplinary course exposes students to aspects of media literacy, critical thinking, information evaluation, research skills, various information technologies, and current issues in the information age. The challenges of creating such a course from the ground up will be discussed. …