Learn how to integrate library resources into your classroom using point of need learning and problem based learning techniques to create information literacy.
Encouraging students to conduct research beyond Google in an online course
1. Encouraging Students to Conduct
Research Beyond Google
Margy Warner
Debra Zahay-Blatz
SEU Teaching Symposium, August 2020
2. Agenda
● Background
● The Pedagogical Challenge
● The Librarian’s Challenge
● Online Program Challenges
● The Solution
● The Results
● The Future
● Resources
3. Pedagogical Challenge
Upper-level graduate course
Online/Hybrid environment
Students receive library orientation prior to beginning program in an
online format
First course has some research that would best be done in the library
Subsequent courses are spaced over eighteen months
Students forget about library resources!
4. The Librarian’s Challenge
Disruption of the traditional library (The Catholic University of America, 2012).
People no longer look to the library to fulfill their information
needs in a switch from analog to digital environment. (The Catholic
University of America, 2012).
Reference desks, reference questions on the decline “45%
drop in 10 years” (The Catholic University of America, 2012).
8 out of 10 students rarely turn to librarians (Tumbleson & Burke, 2013).
The two “solitudes” of the academic library and the academic
classroom (Badke, 2005 as cited in Bowler & Street, 2008, 439).
5. LMS Systems Offer a Solution to the
Librarian’s Dilemna
Incorporate many concepts such as flexible learning, blended/embedded
librarianship, just in time learning, point of need learning, information literacy,
problem based learning…..
“Introduce potential opportunities for libraries to be more holistically integrated in
the political, technological, and curricular ecology of institutions” (Almeida &
Pollack, 2017, p. 124).
“Librarian is more fully integrated into a course virtual or real than is customarily
the case with “one-off” IL integration” (Schumaker and Tyler, 2007 as cited in
Bowler & Street, 2008, 439)
About relationships and shared goals (The Catholic University of America, 2012).
6. Worth the Effort!
“The development of network-accessible digital collections generated more
dramatic impact. The capabilities for creating and distributing highly functional
electronic content have empowered users for new types of inquiry, and libraries for
fuller engagement in content creation, management, and use” (MacKie-Mason &
Lougee, 2008).
“Technology infrastructure such as the library website and course or learning
management systems are among the institutional technology resources that
students use the most” (Tumbleson & Burke, 2013).
“What’s not to like about finding relevant research databases and convenient help
near their assignment…”(Tumbleson & Burke, 2013).
7. Challenges in Integration with LMS
Involves collaboration with other units such as Academic Departments and
Instructional Technology (Almeida & Pollack, 2017, p. 6)
Expertise & time involved (subject matter, technology, instructional design skills)
(Kvenild, 2012, p. 6)
Faculty are busy and may not have time to involve library in their course
Finding the right fit for your institution (what’s sustainable & scalable?)
(Tumbleson & Burke, 2013)
Ability for your institution to foster experimentation (Kvenild, 2012, p.5)
Staffing levels and marginalization of library and librarians (Almeida & Pollack,
2017, p. 8)
8. Challenges with Online Programs
● Geography poses time zone challenges
● Working students need help 24/7
● Providing a universal link to the library in Canvas is limited
in success. (At SEU, only about 4% of traffic comes to
library from this path!)
9. Suggested Solutions
● Repetition over time (Munro, 2017)
● Point of Need (Huwiler, 2015)
○ Online resources
○ Access
○ Instruction
● Micro Approaches
10. Micro Approaches
“Micro-content” Quick links to library resources, not the whole
website (Tumbleson & Burke, 2013).
Tutorials such as videos or step-by-step instructions for
specific library resources.
Point of need help such as “Ask a Librarian” services
11. The Assignments
Final course of the MS-DgMA Discussion Posts
Has a marketing strategy emphasis
Also covers topics such as new technology and has a data
visualization component (Tableau)
Follow a company throughout a seven week course
In discussion posts, outline and analyze various aspects of a
company’s competitive environment and digital marketing strategy
12. The Solution
“Embedded” Librarian
Worked collaboratively with OIT and instructor
Recorded weekly videos to demonstrate where to find
resources for particular posts
Embedded videos in the Canvas assignments
Demonstrated use of library resources, not just Google
13. Example Discussion Post Assignment
In this week's discussion answer the following about the organization you selected:
● What industry are they in? How would you define it NAICS/SIC codes?
● For the macro-environment, what are the most important outside factors that the company is facing?.
● For the micro-environment run the HubSpot Website grader for the company’s website or for one of
its landing pages. What were the results? Do the same for a competitor and compare the two.
● Perform a SWOT analysis using the bullets above.
● How can your company improve it’s website design in light of these results to further support its
online strategy?
You MUST use library resources to answer these questions.
Watch the Researching Industries and Company Data with the Munday Library video to prepare for
the assignments.
Support your answer from the library or other research with references in APA format. At least one
reference from Chaffey text should be included.
14. Results
Students used and referenced material from library much
more than in previous section of the class
Students were more familiar with library resources
Students had more respect for what was available
Most students reported listening to the videos
15. Student Qualitative Survey
Open-ended questions about experience
Twenty-two students responded to survey before end of
course
Extra credit offered
IRB exemption
16. Prior to this course, how would you describe
your attitude toward using library resources
at SEU?
Neutral/Indifferent
Timid
Afraid
Too much work
17. Was there anything that surprised you about
the SEU library resources available to you?
Two students were aware
Most were ‘surprised’ and here are their words:
● The amount of resources available was surprising. The fact that it didn't just
contain books and e-books we can access.
● The only thing that surprised me was how much information was available in
the resources. It made it easier to find sources for my research papers.
● I was shocked by how many we had access to. They are expensive
subscriptions that we are able to take advantage of just by being an SEU
student.
● I was most surprised that the library also offers streaming of popular movies
and courses through video databases online
18. How do these library resources compare to
what you might access in a general Google
search?
One saw no difference; one thought Google had more
information
Most said the library was:
● More detailed
● Did not require subscription
● Credible, reliable
19. Now that you have completed the discussion posts for
this course, how would you describe your attitude toward
using library resources at SEU?
One neutral response
Most said:
● Positive
● Helpful
● Less intimidating
● Wish we had this earlier
● Regret not using it
● Want access after graduation
20. Which of these library resources would
you seek to use in your professional
career after graduation, if available?
● Reference USA
● Hoovers
● Mintel
● Statista
● All business resources
21. Library even made it to course evaluation
comments!
I liked the overall involvement throughout the course. I loved learning
how to use more of the resources from the library within this course as
well.
I also appreciate using real world examples from the library to gain
information on a company and using that information to provide real-
life analysis. I found this to be very beneficial.
22. Conclusions/Future
Videos reinforcing and explaining library resources “just in time” are
valuable to online students, seem to change their attitude toward the
library
Less Staff Intensive, More Sustainable
Communications and other theory would suggest that providing the
information at the time of the need is most helpful
Future research in Fall of 2020 will employ a quantitative survey
Will work to incorporate these resources into the MS-DgMA program