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Active Learning Techniques for Librarians: Practical examples

Andrew Walsh, University of Huddersfield and Padma Inala, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Chandos Information Professional Series

 - outlines the argument for more active learning techniques in our sessions
 - explains the theory of active learning
 - includes examples that can be used in teaching
 - examines new technologies to improve active learning, including mobile phones
 - provides example lesson plans to illustrate how these techniques can be used in a range of settings

A practical work outlining the theory and practice of using active learning techniques in library settings. It explains the theory of active learning and argues for its importance in our teaching and is illustrated using a large number of examples of techniques that can be easily transferred and used in teaching library and information skills to a range of learners within all library sectors. These practical examples recognise that for most of us involved in teaching library and information skills the one off session is the norm, so we need techniques that allow us to quickly grab and hold our learners’ attention. The examples are equally useful to those new to teaching, who wish to bring active learning into their sessions for the first time, as to those more experienced who want to refresh their teaching with some new ideas and to carry on their development as librarian teachers.

ISBN 1 84334 592 7
ISBN-13: 978 1 84334 592 3
September 2010
160 pages  234 x 156mm  paperback  
£47.50 / US$80.00 / €55.00

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About the authors

Andrew Walsh is a Chartered librarian at the University of Huddersfield. He chairs the information skills teaching group at the University of Huddersfield library and regularly gives talks at conferences across the UK, particularly in relation to information literacy and its teaching.

Padma Inala is a Chartered librarian at Manchester Metropolitan University supporting the field of education. Her research interests include Information Literacy and the teaching of information skills.

Titles which may also be of interest:
Delivering E-Learning for Information Services in Higher Education
Becoming Confident Teachers
Enhancing Learning and Teaching through Student Feedback in Engineering
Enhancing Learning and Teaching through Student Feedback in Social Sciences

Contents

What is active learning?
 - Introduction
 - What is active learning?
 - Importance of active learning in library teaching
 - References

Active learning tips
 - Starting and finishing the session: All stand; Any improvements? Bag of fears; Class concerns; Closing circle; Crossword puzzle; Go to your post; Hangman; I resolve to; I will do it; Lightening the learning climate; Poster tours; Runaround; Stop, start, continue; What about …; What’s your favourite?
 - In the middle: Action cards; Anagrams; Ask the expert; Buzz groups; Class discussion; Countdown music; Fill in the gaps; Good search, bad search; Library bingo; Making music; Materials inspection; Mind maps in action; The model literature review; Please listen …; Quality or not; The recipe for a successful search; Referencing jigsaws; Show me, tell me; Spot the mistake; Washing line search strategy; What animal are you?
 - Mobile phones and other gadgets: Instant podcasts; Mobile quizzes; Online discussion by blog/phone; QR codes for further information; Quick vote; SMS discussion at a distance; Text tips and reminders; TV games – Who wants to be a millionaire? Wall of text
 - Web 2.0: … and now for the news; Creating a pot of gold; Discussing results by blog; Picture sharing; Radio interviews; Sharing results by wiki; That’s delicious; Twittering away all class long
 - Inductions: Cephalonian induction; Induction by crossword; Induction competition; Treasure hunt induction; Virtual induction

Lesson plans
 - Blank lesson plan templates: Lesson plan template 1; Lesson plan template 2
 - Citation searching and impact factors
 - Current awareness made easy
 - Evaluating web resources
 - The information cycle
 - Introducing Dewey
 - Referencing and plagiarism
 - Search smarter, search faster
 - Types of information resources
 - What can the library do for you?
 - Writing your literature review
 - Further resources