How to Illuminate your Classroom with Interactive

Learning Techniques

Eleonora Dubicki

Jacqui Weetman DaCosta

2009 LOEX Conference Blazing Trails: On the Path to Information Literacy

May 2, 2009

Eyes down for

LIBRARY BINGO

Engagement through Active Learning

Active learning techniques shift library instruction from lecturing to guiding/ coaching students.

Engage students in the learning processElicit student discoveryCapture their attentionAddress multiple learning stylesCreate an experience they can relate to and

replicateReceive immediate feedback as an instructor

Confucius says:

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. “

Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)

Learning Pyramid

Active Learning Requires More Prep

• Collaboration with faculty• Powerpoint slides

– learning objectives, assignment, popular vs scholarly chart, suggested topics, links to OPAC/databases/tour

• Handout for students – Contact info, chart for popular vs scholarly,

databases, websites on one side and exercises• One minute evaluation sheet

– 4 open-ended questions provide feedback on session

Active learning tools

Small Group DiscussionsDemos

Think-pair-share

Exercises

Back to Bingo!

Library Bingo – one option

• Cards can be given out with keywords or phrases printed on them – Requires more advance planning– Is a speedier option if you are not able

to communicate with participants in advance

– Need to be confident with the terminology that you use

• Cards ‘marked’ off and prizes given

Library Bingo – another option

• Participants can be sent ‘bingo cards’ in advance to record their expectations of, and questions for, the library session

• Or participants can complete ‘bingo cards’ as they enter, if there is time

• Cards checked off as something is mentioned

• First with a ‘full house’ wins a prize

Library Bingo – what it achieves

• Marking off the cards is the less important activity – reflection

• Participants’ questions are already prepared and in front of them

• Can collect cards in at the end– Could respond to other questions by

email– Helps with planning of future sessions– Assess whether you are briefing faculty

well enough!

Whatever turns you on

• Students and faculty have reacted well to Library Bingo

• Works well with smaller groups• Used for Freshman bibliographic

instruction at TCNJ, and orientation elsewhere

• Perhaps start with a class with whom you are comfortable and/or know the instructor well

In the words of another British import

“And now for something completely different!”

What is the Cephalonian Method?

• A fusion of color, images, humor and music!

• A way to involve participants in the session and to encourage questions

• An attempt to relieve the boredom for all involved!

How does this work?

• There are 8 colored cards around the room – each with a question or a statement

• Colors are assigned to different types or categories of relevant topics

• Related topics are grouped and assigned a color

• Be prepared to address any question from the colored topic set and number your PowerPoint slides!

How the Cephalonian Method started

• Cardiff University librarian on holiday

• Developed by Linda Davies and Nigel Morgan

• Used initially for large group orientation and to replace tours

Popularity of the Cephalonian Method

• Revealed to the unsuspecting British librarian public in 2004!

• Been used– For large groups and small groups– At different types of institutions– With undergraduates and

graduates– For orientation and other teaching

sessions

My Mom’s e-mailed me a picture of Miguel, my pet iguana. Where can I print him out?

2 PC rooms (24 hour access)• Microsoft applications• Subject databases• Internet & email access

• Network printing accounts • Laser printing

What really irritates us?

Eating & drinking

Excessive noise

Theft

Cell phones !

Cell phones !!

Cell phones !!!

Reactions to the Cephalonian Method?

Students• They seem to like it – it’s

something different• They laugh with you and are

keen to see what is coming next

Faculty• “Wonderful”• “Superb”• They like the style

What can go wrong?

• Need a contingency plan for the technology to let you down!

• You are inviting a moderate amount of chaos into your classroom

• You can’t audition the students– Shyness– Audibility– Color blindness

Benefits of the Cephalonian Method

• A good icebreaker• Adaptable for different

audiences• It can make the students look

forward to their next library session!

• Achieves certain active learning objectives– Interaction– Discussion and questions

Mixing it Up• Games – Word games

• Tutorials – Virtual library tour

• Exercises – think-pair-share , hands-on learning, and demos

Get Them Talking

• Word Games– Ice-breaker– Guessing game– Intro to keywords

“Guess-the-Google game was fun and at the same time informational”

Keyword Exercise

Write down your Research Topic, underline key concepts:Global warming is threatening the habitat of polar bears.

Identify Key ConceptsAND AND

Global warming habitat polar bearsEnvironment home

• Pick a topic and identify keywords– Brainstorming– Think-Pair-Share– Small group discussions– Demonstrations

Use Creative Research Topics

• New marketing strategies for video games increase sales.• Somali pirates threaten safety of ships.• Presidential candidates use of YouTube.• Sports scandals raise questions of fair play.• Obesity among children can be reduced with more exercise.• Hip hop lyrics express individuality.

Collaborative Learning

• Think-Pair-Share– Students think about a topic– Pair up with another student to discuss– Share findings with class

Database Searching Exercise

• Find a scholarly article– Use topic and keywords from keyword

exercise– Select database(s) for search– Refining search strategies– How do you know it is scholarly?– Accessing full text of article

Demonstrations

• Have students demo search• Highlight additional facts about

database as they demo• Ask students for other

suggestions or how they did the search differently

What do students think?

• “I think more discussion is good”• ”letting the students follow along

makes remembering the steps easy” • “the exercises were helpful, fun and

informative” • “kept my attention and taught me a

lot” • “liked video before class”

The fun of learning

Think-pair-share• Reflection• Collaborative

learning• Social interaction• Brainstorm ideas• Receive feedback

Demonstrations• Hands-on• Trial and error• Teach others• Practical

applications

The fun of learning

Library Bingo• Social interaction• Encourages

questioning• Requires cognitive

activity• Reflective learning

Cephalonian Method

• Social interaction• Revolves around

questioning• Engagement

through challenge and involvement

• Provides incidental learning

Cooperstein & Kocevar-Weidinger (2004), Bicknell-Holmes & Hoffman (2000)

Final thoughts

• Not for everyone– Confidence– Librarian/Entertainer

• Preparation time– Can’t just “pick it up and run”– Can reap benefits

• Minimal technology– Low cost option

• Students are more engaged and less inclined to dash away