The Librarian's Guide to Teaching

Show Notes:

In our 11th mini episode, we take a look back at episode number 18 to chat about reflective teaching practices and assessing reflective questions.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica do a roundup of some really interesting LibGuides projects as a followup to their LibGuides episode, number 23, where they talked about experiences and some pie in the sky ideas.

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In our 10th mini episode, Amanda and Jessica take a look back at episode number 35 on lesson planning and talk about one aspect of lesson planning that can get in the way, which is time management!

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica do a roundup of unique, versatile and effective assessments that we’ve recently read about that can be applied in the information literacy classroom.

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In our 9th mini episode, we’ll take a look back at episode number 31 where we discussed 21 teaching tips for 2021 and see if we’ve made any strides in implementing any of these tips!

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica talk to librarians April Hines, Katherine Boss and Megan Heuer about their version of the ACRL Framework focused towards the journalism discipline that’s based on research with practicing journalists and students.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat about marketing your library instruction - either as a department or an individual librarian.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss Peer to Peer Development. They dive into what it is, why it's important and share a range of examples on how to get started. 

Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss Peer to Peer Development. They dive into what it is, why it's important and share a range of examples on how to get started.

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In our 8th mini episode, Amanda and Jessica take a look back at episode 2 which focused on assessment. In this follow up episode, they reexamine assessment and take a look at the trending topic of ungrading and how information literacy instruction and the ACRL framework lends itself to faculty interested in getting started with ungrading.

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In our 7th mini episode, Amanda and Jessica take a look back at episode number 11 where they discussed instructional programming to chat about the ways instruction librarians have adapted to virtual programming over the past year of remote learning.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat with librarian Alyssa Valenti about leadership  during the pandemic.

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This episode's theme music:

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss their experience with creating and using lesson plans. They also explore the benefits and pitfalls.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica review some tech tools that can be used by library professionals in the classroom.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat with librarian Carolyn Caffrey Gardner about ways to incorporate algorithmic education into our lessons.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica share 21 instruction tips to start out 2021! Episode 31 covers the first 14 tips and episode 32 covers tips 15 - 21. We received some great tips from listeners which they share in addition to some that they want to share.

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Show Notes (Episode 31):

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica share 21 instruction tips to start out 2021! Episode 31 covers the first 14 tips and episode 32 covers tips 15 - 21. We received some great tips from listeners which they share in addition to some that they want to share.

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In our 6th mini episode, Amanda and Jessica take a look back at episode 20 and follow up on opportunities to collaborate with faculty.

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In our fifth mini episode, Amanda and Jessica take a look back at episode number 7 from last December where they discussed digital pedagogy and critical online pedagogy by looking at a recent blog post about online instruction engagement.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat with Leigh Milligan and Lauren who are the co-hosts of the LISProchats on Twitter. They share their backstory, how the come up with topics, their most popular chats and so much more. 

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Topics & Takeaways (Part 2)

• With the COVID story, we're getting to see how science works under pressure and without information agency or discipline expertise, it can be hard to understand what's happening and see the downsides to peer review.
  
• In a way, we can identify the questions to ask about where media literacy should go next but not really the exact solutions.
  
• We need to recognize the social-ness of news and of research and it must be taken into consideration in the transformation of media literacy.
  
• If not everything is biased, how do we unpack that with students?
  
• Students relate to images and we can use examples from the report to discuss with them how the images impact the way they interpret news.
  
• While some faculty are single-source news viewers ("I only look at NPR"), students just don't engage in the media landscape that way.
  
• Reach out to Alison at alison@projectinfolit.org with how you are using the report in the classroom & how students are responding!
  

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat with researcher, Alison Head, to discuss the new Project Information Literacy Report called “Covid-19: The first 100 days of U.S. news coverage”.

Topics & Takeaways:

Topics & Takeaways (Part 1)

• How can the PIL COVID report help librarians and educators discuss news, media and visual literacy with students?
  
• How can students learn to reclaim their information agency? How can students exert control over the on-slught of news coming at them?
  
• Reach out to Alison at alison@projectinfolit.org with how you are using the report in the classroom & how students are responding!
  
• We need to pull up 30,000 feet to look at the landscape of news with students and how sources develop rather than just evaluating individual sources.
  
• While the CRAAP test is a great framework for evaluation, Facebook and social media have changed the arc of information and the strategies that we use for sources. Social media amplifies our attention around certain media and visuals.
  
• Since COVID is a news topic that has touched everyone around the world in all disciplines, it can be a topic that can engage students across disciplines/topics.
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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat with Katie Quirin Manwiller about Academic Ableism and Criplib.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat about their experiences with mentoring - from both sides as mentors and mentees - as well as share some resources.

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Show Notes:

In our fourth mini episode, Amanda and Jessica take a look back at episode 6 which was making time for professional development and discuss an interesting article about virtual conferences that are our new reality.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica chat with Mary-Michelle Moore, a Teaching & Learning Librarian at UC Santa Barbara about formative assessment and a plan that she designed for student assessment in class.

Topics & Takeaways:

• When librarians enter the classroom for a one-shot session, even with faculty feedback prior to class, it can be difficult to know the extent of prior knowledge students have.
  
• By asking students for feedback before and during a session about information literacy, we bring student experiences into the learning and also get real time information on how to move the learning forward.
  
• Implementing formative assessment in the classroom can allow librarians to collect information during a session to see what students need for learning and it can vary from basic questioning to bouncing between different topics/activities.
  
• Forms of formative assessment discussed:
  
  • Think, Pair, Share
    
  • Padlet
    
  • Wooclap Audience Response
    
• When asking students for information, balance how much information is given to them (overload) while also providing enough detail to explain the “why” behind the activity/assessment and the “what” that is expected.
  

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica take a closer look at a topic covered in episode 5 - classroom management. They discuss technology in the classroom and share some ideas/tips of how to recover when tech fails in the class.

Biggest takeaway - Preparation is everything!

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica are discussing a recent article in College & Research Library News regarding the top trends this year in academic libraries. And how has the pandemic impacted these trends?

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Show Notes:

In our second mini episode, Amanda and Jessica are reflecting back on the third episode of LGT which discussed the academic library as perceived by a non-librarian in the article, “College Students Just Want Normal Libraries” in The Atlantic published in 2019. This episode discusses a recent Inside Higher Ed article called “Changed, Changed Utterly”.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica are chatting about all things LibGuides. How have we used them? What would we love them to do? And much more!

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In this first mini episode, Amanda and Jessica are going to reflect back on the first LGT episode about imposter syndrome by discussing a recent article about the topic.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica are chatting podcasts with the co-creators of the LibVoices podcast, Amanda Leftwich, Jamia Williams and Jamillah Gabriel!

NOTE: It’s not your speakers! We had some technical difficulties recording this episode and we are sorry some of the sound is a bit choppy.

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica are talking about our experiences with faculty collaboration in the classroom.

Topics & Takeaways:

• Faculty collaborations with librarians can range from individual outreach that leads to a one-shot session to a full collaboration on courses or assignment design.
  
• We’ve experienced challenging situations ranging from interruptions in class, negative responses to our work to completely taking over class.
  
• We can work towards changing the library/faculty collaboration culture by advocating for being seen as equals, changing our language from supporting to collaborating, moving away from the service model and educating faculty on what we really do in libraries.
  

Tips on successful faculty collaboration:

• Take initiative and don’t wait for faculty to reach out to you.
  
• Keep your ‘ears” to the ground and look for ways for to seize opportunities
  

to get involved.

• Be open minded to different partnerships and collaborations.
  
• We need to have a purpose in every project we take on.
  
• Breaking down silos is super hard but we are the only ones who are going to do it. We need to just keep advocating, keep pushing back.
  

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica speak with librarian and library science professor, Melissa Wong, about instructional design, topics from her book, “Instructional Design for LIS Professionals” and remote teaching during COVID.

Topics & Takeaways:

(Listen to the episode one more time)

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica talk about reflective teaching, some ideas about journaling and improving our professional practices through reflection.

Topics & Takeaways:

• We improve the more we teach but can we make more opportunities to learn from our teaching through reflection? How do we actively learn about our teaching or professional self to grow from it?
  
• Instruction journals allow librarians to get thoughts out about what went well, what did I think I could improve or were there any interesting student interactions in order to reflect and look for patterns.
  
• Brainstorm journals that are reviewed frequently can be another form of journal.
  
• Librarian to librarian observation and feedback can be a system-level way to learn about your instruction and reflect on it with help from others.
  
• Feedback from faculty and students can be helpful, with a few caveats.
  
• Just writing down things you learned each day for about 15 minutes can improve our learning.
  

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica talk to librarians, Serene Rock and Kristine Cwengros, about gamification in information literacy instruction and their poster that was presented at the ACRL DLS Virtual Poster Session last month.

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica wrap up their 3-part series about the ACRL Framework by looking forward to the future. They discuss when and how the ACRL Framework might be refreshed and some ways it could be changed.

Topics & Takeaways:

• Potential Refreshes & Updates Discussed:
  
  • A large scale study to determine adoption rates and barriers to adoption
    
  • Updating the language of the descriptions
    
  • Reorganizing the dispositions
    
  • Renaming the Framework
    
  • Adding real world examples
    

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica continue the 3-part ACRL Framework series. They discuss interesting examples of librarians using the Framework, studies that are based around it as well as their favorite Frames.

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica kick off Part One of a three part series on the ACRL Framework! They discuss what makes the Framework challenging and their experiences with teaching and assessing the Frames.

Topics & Takeaways:

• The ACRL Framework is challenging because:
  
  • Interconnected concepts that incorporate multiple instructional concepts like metacognition, constructivism, affective learning and backward design
    
  • Elevated language that at times can seem like jargon
    
  • It contains A LOT of content which makes organizing, teaching and assessing progression of learning difficult
    
• Teaching the Framework at the one-shot level can feel limiting, frustrating and difficult to assess due to the short time-frame, expectations of faculty and not knowing our students.
  
• However, there are strategies to developing effective one-shot Framework instruction that meets student needs.
  
• One way to integrate the Framework at a program level starts with mapping the knowledge practices and dispositions to beginner, intermediate and advanced levels as well as reviewing syllabi to match assignments to appropriate Frame skills.
  
• Various ideas about how to use the Framework in the classroom are discussed.
  

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Show Notes:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss storytelling and instruction. How can you use your experience and previous student support to provide instruction?

Topics & Takeaways:

• Storytelling can be valuable in information literacy instruction because it is informational, memorable and a great way to reach novice learners.
• What are our experiences with storytelling in the classroom?
• What are some ways to use infographics as storytelling?
• What are some barriers to storytelling in the classroom?
• What are some “Pie in the sky” storytelling techniques you might want to try in the future?
• Do you think storytelling is an effective instruction technique for one shots?
• Small ways you can incorporate storytelling into your instruction

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss their thoughts on the recently released EDUCAUSE 2020 Horizon Report and the implications for librarians in higher education.

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In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss their successes and failures creating instructional programming that teaches information literacy skills. They discuss tips and challenges to designing and implementing these events.

Topics & Takeaways:

• Instructional programming refers to events and activities in libraries that teach information literacy skills in some form rather than just focusing on bringing students into the library or promoting services.
• Successes discussed include a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon, LibraryLand game, tabling events and an online event LibGuide.
• Challenges in preparing and presenting instructional programming include:
• Time to plan
• Collaboration with other departments
• Lack of student attendance
• Marketing to students
• Tips for preparing and presenting instructional programming include:
• Know what topics and engagement methods are important to your students
• Be sure to assess your programming
• Tie your programming to the mission or goals of your department/ institution
• Collect meaningful data in order to demonstrate value
• Recognize when a program is no longer working
• Make sure you do tie your program back to IL skills being taught

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Show Notes for Website:

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica talk to Susanne Markgren and Linda Miles, authors of the book “How to Thrive as a Library Professional”. They discuss what it means to thrive, the various topics covered in the book and hone in on specific strategies for networking and habit creation.

Topics & Takeaways:

• The chapter topics are Career Vision, Habits, Relationships Building, Organizational Culture, Telling our Stories for Self-Promotion, Mindfulness/Self-Compassion, Creating a Reflective Practice.
  
• Success can be defined differently by each person and changes as a person moves through their career.
  
• Reflection is an important part of thriving because it requires us to think out all of the aspects of our career, including habits, relationships and our daily work.
  
• Habits
  
• Mindfulness

Show Notes:

On this episode of The Librarian's Guide to Teaching, Amanda and Jessica talk with Barbara Fister, Scholar-in-Residence at Project Information Literacy and co-researcher on PIL's latest study, "Information Literacy in the Age of Algorithms: Student Experiences with News and Information, and the Need for Change." They discuss the report’s findings, potential barriers to implementing algorithm education and ways that librarians can be a part of the change in higher education.

Guest Bio:

Barbara Fister is a Scholar-in-Residence at Project Information Literacy and co-researcher on PIL's latest study, "Information Literacy in the Age of Algorithms: Student Experiences with News and Information, and the Need for Change." For three decades Barbara coordinated the library instruction program at Gustavus Adolphus College=, a liberal arts college in Minnesota. In addition to collaborative teaching with faculty across the curriculum she has developed courses on research methods, book culture, first term seminars, and (most recently) launched a new course on Clickbait, Bias, and Propaganda in Information Networks.

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On this episode of The Librarian's Guide to Teaching, Amanda and Jessica talk with Bonnie Lafazan, Library Director of the Berkeley College Woodbridge Campus and current member of the ACRL Professional Development Committee and the ACRL Conference 2020 Committee. They chat about the importance of the various levels of professional development, strategies to building a culture of development and how we make time for writing and reading.

Topics & Takeaways:

• Professional development is an important part of keeping up to date on what’s going on in librarianship as well as stretching ourselves as life-long learners.
  
• We balance our professional development time between work and personal time based on what works for our lives. Amanda shares some strategies for fitting it in on a tight schedule.
  
• For those interested in encouraging professional development at their institution, a variety of strategies are discussed including bringing information back from your local library organizations, giving a variety of opportunities to team members and getting input from staff members on what they want to develop.
  

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NOTE: It's not your speakers! We had some technical difficulties recording this episode and we are sorry for the choppy audio!

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss online instruction, including the concepts of critical digital pedagogy and open pedagogy which were suggested by a listener on Twitter! They discuss incorporating these concepts into the online environment whether in a credit-bearing course, embedded instruction or one-shots. 

Topics and Takeaways: 

• Critical digital pedagogy asks many of the same questions about teaching as critical pedagogy but extends the discussion into the online environment and includes questions around the use of technology itself. However, online instruction has only been practiced for 20-30 years whereas humans have been teaching and studying pedagogy for thousands of years. How do we bring what we’ve learned into the online realm in a more holistic way rather than being limited by the technology? We need to re-envision online pedagogy! 

• Open pedagogy is focused on themes of collaborative learning and inter-connected with open educational resources, open access and other forms of open education. 

• How do we adapt our one-shot instruction to “work” in this environment? What are the criteria for successful online one-shots?

 • Discussion boards are so limiting in their ability for actual discussion, engagement and assessment. And if we don’t like doing them as students or grading them as teachers, how can we expect our students to feel empowered to do them? We need a new method of creating discussion in our online classrooms. 

Links to resources discussed in this episode: There are SO many great resources on these topics - this is by no means a complete list! 

o Book: Critical Library Pedagogy Handbook by Nicole Pagowsky& Kelly McElroy (2016)

o Book: Critical Library Pedagogy in Practice by Jess Haigh & Elizabeth Brookbank (2020 - The editors just finished accepting proposals in July 2019)

o Eamon C. Tewell (2018)  The Practice and Promise of Critical Information Literacy: Academic Librarians’ Involvement in Critical Library Instruction, College & Research Libraries

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss both the practical and theoretical ideas behind the future of information literacy. Will librarians always teach information literacy? Will it ever be fully adopted into higher ed curriculum and only taught by faculty? 

Topics Discussed & Takeaways: 

So many potential answers to these questions are institution specific depending on culture, relationships and contexts. Faculty have a lot of discipline-specific content to cover which is where their expertise lies and since librarians are the research/information experts, this should remain our responsibility. Due to institutional contexts, one-shots can’t always be replaced with a full credit course and if only taught early in their college careers, students would not receive discipline specific instruction. Librarians remain up to date on the technology of research which takes that off of the faculty. And many faculty don’t have to do research on their own so they may not want to learn all of that to teach students. Many posit that we are in a “third wave” of information literacy. Since information is our discipline area, librarians remain up to date with these changes, its impact on society and how to best approach these changes pedagogically (i.e. - ACRL Framework changes). 

Links to resources discussed in this episode (or related to the topic): 

• “Information Literacy’s Third Wave” by Barbara Fister published on Inside Higher Ed (February 14, 2019) 
• “Defining and teaching information literacy” by Elizabeth Dolinger in College & Research Libraries News, Vol 80, No. 1, 2019 
• “Philosophical Shift: Teach the Faculty to Teach Information Literacy”, White Paper written by Risë L. Smith and Karl E. Mundt Library 
• “Competencies in the Major - University of Albany” 
• Check, Please! Digital Information Evaluation Course, by Mike Caulfield 

Thank you to the Twitter users we quoted this episode: @LibraryBon 

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica discuss some of the most common classroom management challenges faced by instruction librarians and chat about strategies to overcome them. 

Topics Discussed & Takeaways: 

Instruction librarians may not have degrees in education but that doesn’t mean they can’t succeed in classroom management. 

Five areas of classroom management challenges: 

Getting and keeping students engaged 

Getting students to participate 

Engaging distracted students & keeping everyone on task 

Dealing with difficult students 

Handling technical difficulties and interruptions 

Links to resources discussed in this episode (or related to the topic): 

• “When You Get Nothing But Crickets” from The Cult of Pedagogy (August 18, 2019) 
• “Forty ways to survive IL instruction overload; or, how to avoid teacher burnout” by Giovanna Badia in College & Undergraduate Libraries, 2017 
• “The One-Shot Library Instruction Survival Guide”, Second Edition Heidi E. Buchanan and Beth A. McDonough 
• “Classroom Management: Dealing with Difficult Students” from Brookhaven College 

Thank you to the Twitter users we quoted this episode: @Overthrowinged @WoodsieGirl 

In this episode, Amanda and Jessica interview Romel Espinel and discuss his approaches to critical librarianship in the classroom. We discuss teaching styles, student centered practices and practical examples of how to implement these strategies in the classroom. 

Show Notes:

On this episode of The Librarian's Guide to Teaching, Amanda and Jessica respond to a recent article published about academic libraries and what students really want. They also share a tweet of the week.