Incorporating library resources into remedial/developmental English classes

...are we working with?

Primarily nontraditional students and unprepared learners

...are we trying to do?

The library is responsible for:

1. Educating patrons/ students in information retrieval2. Critical thinking3. Evaluation of resources

...do we do that?

Reduce library anxiety.

Demystify the library!

...do we do that?

“Students’ self-esteem, often challenged by library mystery and seeming complexity, may plummet if students feel lost in the library. Students may suffer further when they enroll in college-level courses in which the professor expects the students to utilize the library’s resources.” (Thomas, 2000)

...do we do that?

It is essential to:Create a positive attitude towards the libraryAdapt students to an academic library environmentIncrease confidence in utilizing library resources

Why? The goal is to create an environment in which students feel connected to the library, its staff, and using its resources.

Ways to incorporate the library:Promote library resources Library displays Printed materials Personal contact Campus newspaper items

and radio spots Special events Short films

University of Washington's Information School performs Lady Gaga remix

Ways to incorporate the library:

Promote library resources Urge faculty to promote

services: Reserve books Bibliography services Interlibrary loan Database access

Ways to incorporate the library:Promote library resources Specialized library

instruction Specialized library

projects Library courses paired

with a developmental course

Library collaboration with a skills lab

Outreach! Collaboration between librarians and staff

The library needs to be presented as an integral part of content courses by faculty in order to be effectiveDiscuss assignments in context of the libraryRedesign preexisting assignments to include library skills

Outreach! Collaboration between librarians and staff

Examine textbooksReview curriculum Participate on committeesFaculty instruction

Design library assignments for developmental courses that have a probability of success

Topic selections Limit resources Put students into the right

place at the right time to minimize frustration

Design library assignments for developmental courses that have a probability of success

Develop confidence Ideally assignments should

be tailored to a student's specific interest and needs

There is no one size fits all approach for all students.

*Things to keep in mind*

Use instructional practices that build on each other

“For a given objective to be attained, a student must have experiences that give him an opportunity to practice the kind of behavior implied by the objective.” (Knapp, 1956)

*Things to keep in mind*

Instruction sessions need to have clearly defined objectives.

Skills taught in isolation are less likely to be applied to further coursework

A student does not learn by being told how to use the library but by using it

*Things to keep in mind*

Instruction that is integrated

with other instruction will

reinforce itself Instruction cannot be presented

as another form of “busywork”

Hands on/active learningMultiple smaller sessions

build upon prior knowledge

rather than one shot

sessions How do you find a book? How do you find an

article? Difference between

searching the internet and using databases?

Hands on/active learning

For example: Students read a novel for classLocate background information on the topic of the novelIdentify key events during the novel's time period Complete research on the author

Hands on/active learningSelf-Paced Modules Computer assisted

instruction Incorporate audio/visual

materials Step-by-step instructions

with screen shots rather than simply describing an assignment

Thank you!

Please contact me with any questions.

Kevin Wadloweldritch.monkey@gmail.com

520-665-1457

...references

Baughman, S. (January 01, 1983). The Community-Junior College Library and the Educationally Disadvantaged Student. Community & Junior College Libraries, 1, 2, 25-32. Farrell, S. (January 01, 2005). Start-Up of a Mandatory Library Orientation Program in Developmental Education. Community & Junior College Libraries, 13, 1, 51-54. Gerlaugh, K., Thompson, L., Boylan, H., & Davis, H. (2007). National study of developmental education ii: Baseline data for community colleges. Research in Developmental Education, 20(4), 1-4.Knapp, P. B. (July 01, 1956). A Suggested Program of College Instruction in the Use of the Library. The Library Quarterly, 26, 3, 224-231. McMillan, V. K., Parke, S. J., & Lanning, C. A. (March 08, 1998). Remedial/Developmental Education Approaches for the Current Community College Environment. New Directions for Community Colleges, 100, 100, 21-32.

...references

Roselle, A. (2008). community college library practices in developmental education. Journal of Developmental Education, 32(2), 24-26, 28, 30, 32.

Roselle, A. (January 01, 2009). Preparing the Underprepared: Current Academic Library Practices in Developmental Education. College and Research Libraries, 70, 2, 142-157.

Schneider, A., & Fuhr, M. (January 01, 1983). The Library's Role in Remediation. Community & Junior College Libraries, 1, 2, 47-58.

Thomas, S. E. (January 01, 2000). The Necessary Library Revolution in Community College Developmental and Remedial Programs. Community & Junior College Libraries, 9, 2, 47-57.

Unknown. (2006). Remedial and developmental education in the university of hawai i community college system′ . Manuscript submitted for publication, White Paper Group Committee, University of Hawai i Community Colleges, Hawai i. ′ ′Retrieved from www.hawaii.edu/offices/../remedial../Remedial_Dev_Ed_Paper.pdf Watters, R. D. (September 06, 1986). A Climate of Excellence: Paving the Way for Student Success at Miami-Dade South's Library. Community & Junior College Libraries, 4, 4, 7-27. Wine, E. (January 01, 1983). The Library Instruction Program at Miami-Dade South. Community & Junior College Libraries, 2, 2, 57-63. Yee, S. (January 01, 1982). Library Instruction in the Community College Setting. Community & Junior College Libraries, 1, 1, 53-56.

...references

Unknown. (2006). Remedial and developmental education in the university of hawai i community college system′ . Manuscript submitted for publication, White Paper Group Committee, University of Hawai i Community Colleges, Hawai i. ′ ′Retrieved from www.hawaii.edu/offices/../remedial../Remedial_Dev_Ed_Paper.pdf Watters, R. D. (September 06, 1986). A Climate of Excellence: Paving the Way for Student Success at Miami-Dade South's Library. Community & Junior College Libraries, 4, 4, 7-27. Wine, E. (January 01, 1983). The Library Instruction Program at Miami-Dade South. Community & Junior College Libraries, 2, 2, 57-63. Yee, S. (January 01, 1982). Library Instruction in the Community College Setting. Community & Junior College Libraries, 1, 1, 53-56.