Library’s Got Talent!
New Library Instructors
Discover Their Voices
Rebecca K. Miller
Chris Barb
Tracy M. Hall
University Libraries
Virginia Tech
LOEX 2013
S
The Whole Team (2012-13)
Coordinators: Carolyn Meier,
Rebecca Miller, and Lesley
Moyo
New Instructors: Chris Barb,
Tracy Gilmore, Monena Hall,
Tracy Hall, Neal Henshaw, Paul
Hover, Anne Lawrence, Jennifer
Munson
Overview & Outcomes
S Changes both inside and outside of the library challenge the
traditional instructional model
S Our solution involves seeking and molding talent from
within other library departments
S This new model is still evolving, and we will share our
goals, lessons learned, and future plans
Virginia Tech
University Libraries
Basic Instruction (2011-12)
Class type
Total classes
Population reached
ENGL 1105/6
116
2,023
Corps of Cadets
30
350
Undergraduate
203
2,789
Graduate
50
650
First Year Experience
32
490
Undergraduate Research
Workshops
13
285
Faculty Workshops
17
166
Other
14
409
FYE Instruction (2011-12)
College/Department
Students Reached
Biochemistry
120
Agriculture & Life Sciences
200
Building Construction
40
Architectue + Design
200
Engineering
300
Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
250
Natural Resources & Environment
68
Business
325
Physics
50
Psychology
80
Transfer/Science
140
University Studies
300
Internal:
Library Reorganization
Internal:
University Libraries
Strategic Plan
Emphases
– Empower students to develop
the skills, literacies,
experiences, and perceptions
necessary to excel in an
analytically savvy, multidisciplinary, global workplace.
– Partner with faculty in the
exploration and
implementation of new
pedagogies, technologies, and
learning environments.
– Develop new methods,
programs and applications for
library-based instruction and
engagement.
External Challenges
S UCCLE
(Curriculum for Liberal Education)
S First Year Experience
The Issue: Scalability
Are you seeing similar issues in your information
literacy/instruction programs?
Our Solution
The Goals
Goals
S Instruction proficiencies
S Teaching/er identities
Format
S Community of practice
The Process
Spring 2012: Library-wide call for new instructors
Summer 2012: Instruction leaders develop 12-week training program
Fall 2012: New instructors begin real-world preparation opportunities
Spring 2013: New instructors begin to teach and co-teach
Spring 2012: The Call
Summer 2012: The Training
Summer 2012: The Training
Week 1: Overview & instruction proficiencies
Week 2: Learner characteristics and learning preferences
Week 3: Learning theories
Week 4: Instructional design
Week 5: Teaching technologies & classroom tour
Week 6: Workshop day
Sample Week
6/19/2012: Learner characteristics and learning preferences
S
Beloit College. (2012). The Mindset List: 2012 List. Retrieved from
http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2012/
S
Bennett, S., Maton, K., and Kervin, L. (2008). The ‘digital natives’ debate: a critical review
of the evidence. British Journal of Educational Technology, 39(5), 775-786. Available on
Scholar.
S
ECAR. (2012). Students & Technology [Infographic]. Retrieved from
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERS1103/EIG1103.pdf
S
Kennedy, G., Krause, K.L., Judd, T., Churchward, A., and Gray, K. (2006). First year
students’ experiences with technology: are they really digital natives? Australasian Journal
for Educational Technology, 24(1), 108-122. Available on Scholar.
S
Neighmond, P. (2011, August 29). Think you’re an auditory or a visual learner? Scientists
say it’s unlikely. National Public Radio. Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/08/29/139973743/think-youre-an-auditory-orvisual-learner-scientists-say-its-unlikely.
Fall 2012: The Preparation
S FYE peer mentors
S Observation
S Reflection
Spring 2013: The Teaching
S Weekly teaching schedule (observations)
S Regular meetings
S Reflections
S Co-teaching
Additional Support
S LEO (Libraries Exchange Observation) local group
S Instruction Learning Community (reading group)
S Instruction Clearinghouse & Library Instruction
Toolkit (in the works)
Research & Scholarship
S Thoughtfulness and reflection
S Sharing our process and creating discussion
S Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy (Blacksburg, VA)
S LOEX 2013 (Nashville, TN)
S WILU (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada)
S IFLA (Singapore)
Discussion
Are you doing or considering doing something similar at
your library? What other thoughts do you have?
Preliminary
Feedback & Assessment
S Anecdotal feedback from new instructors
S Reflections and student evaluations
S 13-item Qualtrics survey:
S Motivation
S Challenges
S Overall impact on individuals and the institution
S Feedback about future iterations of cohort and continuing ed
Motivation
I wanted to improve my
instruction and presentation
skills and hoped that it would
help me to advance in my career.
It is an interesting change, the
contact with students is
enjoyable.
Impact: Individuals
Rate your levels of confidence in your skills as a teacher before
you began and after you completed the new instructor training
program:
Impact: Individuals
As a result of participating in the program, have you gained
any new professional interests or goals?
Impact: Institutional
How did the new instructor training program impact your “day job?”
It has given me an additional avenue to connect with students and faculty.
I get more comfortable dealing with the public speaking…
A stronger understanding of the discovery tools and databases we offer at VT.
Challenges
What was your biggest challenge as you prepared to teach or
co-teach your first class?
Tailoring my instruction to the assignment.
“Stage fright” for the first class and interacting with the professors to
develop the class plan.
Overthinking it.
Suggestions &
Lessons Learned
S More workshop (hands on) opportunities
S More discussion of teaching tools and activities
S Guidelines for pre-teaching observations
S Faculty communication skills
Workshopping
S 2012: 1 workshop day
S 2013: 2 workshop days
S New instructors will prepare session based on scenario
S Coordinators and cohort will offer feedback
S New instructors will modify session based on feedback and
present again
Teaching Tools & Activities
Observing
https://sites.google.com/site/librariesexchange/home
Working with Faculty
S Review samples of appropriate assignments
S Focus on learning outcomes
S Develop strategies for articulating outcomes and activities
with faculty
Phase 2 &
The Next Cohort
S Cohort will continue to grow stronger (Phase 2)
S Four librarians and library staff have volunteered
S Training begins in June
S Phase 2 for 2012-13 Cohort
S Training continues
S Cohort offered ideas for what they would like to learn
S Interactions with 2013-14 Cohort
2012-13 Cohort: Phase 2
What topics are you interested in pursuing through continuing
education and development opportunities?
Ways to keep students engaged with more active learning techniques
How to engage with faculty on pedagogy consultation
Distance learning and use multimedia
…Engage diverse groups…
Implications for
21st Century Instruction
Discussion and Questions
What other questions do you have for us or comments you’d like
to share with us?
Thank You!
S Rebecca K. Miller, millerrk@vt.edu
S Chris Barb, clbarb@vt.edu
S Tracy Hall, tracy72@vt.edu
www.lib.vt.edu
Image Credits
http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s67/americas-got-talent/news/a385575/americas-got-talent-austin-auditions-recap.html
http://handsonhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-ms-baldwin.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-childrens-librarian-do.htm