p roactive a pproach to e mbedded s ervices charissa loftis & valerie knight wayne state college...
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PROACTIVE APPROACH TO EMBEDDED SERVICESCharissa Loftis & Valerie KnightWayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska
Brick & Click, November 2011
CONTENTS
What is an Embedded Librarian Program?
Brief History of WSC ProgramOur ModelMaintenance & HousekeepingOur Students Respond
OVERVIEW
Librarians are “embedded” inside online classes
Geared towards:Online classesOn-campus/hybrid
classes with online components
Lends itself to one-on-one interactions
PROS & CONS OF EMBEDDED LIBRARIANS
Possibly more effective than live instruction
Tailored to class/individual assignments
Time appropriate Reaches out to
students not at the library
No face-to-face contact
Students may not use
Students may feel overloaded with TMI
Not every learning style can be accommodated
PROS CONS
BEFORE SOMEONE WAS “REALLY” IN CHARGE
Began in Summer 2007
Hap-hazard approach
Not formalized Started in WebCT as
a “hey, should we try this?” idea
Used a “wait and see” approach
OUR DISCOVERY – WAIT & SEE DOESN’T WORK
Students are not always
aware of resources offered
don’t always realize that a particular resource will work for them
are uncomfortable asking for help… they don’t want to bother you
Instructors don’t see the impact
of librarian/student interaction
sometimes won’t ask you back
Librarians are out of sight, out
of mind feel frustrated think their efforts
are wasted
FORMALIZING THE PROGRAM
Fall 2007 - New Librarian dedicated to instruction and distance services arrives
1st Semester – Getting a Feel for Things
Spring 2008 – Started playing around with more proactive approaches and formalized methodology Offering Tips Keeping Stats Better Advertizing Word of Mouth Improves
WHAT IS OUR MODEL?
Proactive approach – Information delivered Over time at
appropriate moments Before students get
frustrated Before students need
to ask questions Information is course /
assignment specific Use of a variety of
vehicles and methods to deliver information
WHY USE OUR MODEL?
Increases usage of library resources
Limits the “mass chaos” of repetitive questions
Is more effective due to timeliness of information
Saves student frustration
Builds rapport with students and faculty
Increases value of librarians as resources
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
Advertizing Email Newsletters Word of Mouth
Matching Faculty to Librarian Subject areas Personal interests Relationships
PREPARATION
Contact the Instructor Ask about
Assignments Type of Research Done Level of Depth Roles & Expectations
for the Librarian Level of Librarian
Involvement Make sure instructor
adds you into the class with the proper access rights.
Review the Syllabus Ask for clarification Keep an eye out for
appropriate moments to mention “niche” library resources
Get Organized List assignments with
due dates and possible library resources
Decide when and how early to post tips… TIMING IS EVERYTHING!
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE BEFORE WRITING TIPS
Are… Usually on-campus In need of extra attention
Need… Information literacy basics Overviews of basic resources Keyword lists More information about the
big picture More encouragement to
contact librarians and visit the library
Want… To finish their assignments
ASAP.
Are… More likely to be non-traditional Mostly off-campus Skilled in basic research
strategies Need…
Help closing the technology gap More controlled vocabulary
skills Subject specific resources Fine details more than the big
picture Want…
A more personal relationship
Undergraduates Graduates*
* Some upper level UG too
MAKING DECISIONS Decide Where You
Will Put Things Messages Forum/Discussion
Board Chat Email
Double-Check That You are IN the class
Introduce Yourself
HOW TO CREATE TIPS
Two Types Those made ahead
of time See your schedule
Those made “on the fly” In response to
questions Individualized To be Shared
Two Formats Text-Based Video-Based
TRACKING YOUR INFO
It is handy and helpful to know what you do from semester to semester and from class to class
Try Tracking What classes you
have What tips you posted When you posted Major assignments Student Stumbling
Blocks
DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL
Storage – keep copies of your tips for the future Jing/Screencast Project Sites Word Documents
Plan to make adjustments from semester to semester as class requirements change and as you find newer ways to address issues
ON THE RIGHT TRACK I liked how she had short
video clips to watch. She also sent them to us ahead of time so we were able to watch them before we started our assignment which was helpful.
Every time I had questions I just had to check out the forums page for my class and the embedded librarian had the answers I was searching for!
…lowered my anxiety and made me feel much more confident in turning in my work.
Made me aware of the help that is available.
… and if I need help in the future, I most definitely won't hesitate to ask!
THINGS TO TWEAK I don't think the
embedded librarian was necessary for this specific class because it wasn't an online class and we rarely ever need to get on to Sakai
I wonder if using Sakai e-mail rather than forums would better get students' attention?
I never used it and I found the notifications annoying.
Come to the initial online class meeting to stress important tips then.
I had no clue there was one.
INSTRUCTORS RESPOND I am also excited about
including the embedded Librarian in my face to face classes for fall ... I am looking for a way to make it part of an assignment that students will have to use the tips ... I realize that we take for granted that our students know how to conduct a search ... but even more importantly that they know how to go deeper and evaluate information and perhaps find better resources ... many rely on the first thing they come across.
The Librarian's help is always great and greatly appreciated. It's a problem getting students to use the forums and their suggestions, however.
I felt empowered ... the screen shots helped to follow ... I realize that I probably learned as much as my students if not more ... made me realize that I can streamline my research strategies ... help me be more efficient in prep for my classes.
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