Teaching Literacy: Methods for Studying and Improving Library Instruction

Authors

  • Meggan Houlihan American University in Cairo Library New Cairo, Egypt
  • Amanda Click University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18438/B88W3B

Keywords:

information literacy, library instruction, academic librarianship, multiple methods

Abstract

Objective – The aim of this paper is to evaluate teaching effectiveness in one-shot information literacy (IL) instruction sessions. The authors used multiple methods, including plus/delta forms, peer evaluations, and instructor feedback surveys, in an effort to improve student learning, individual teaching skill, and the overall IL program at the American University in Cairo.

Methods – Researchers implemented three main evaluation tools to gather data in this study. Librarians collected both quantitative and qualitative data using student plus/delta surveys, peer evaluation, and faculty feedback in order to draw overall conclusions about the effectiveness of one-shot IL sessions. By designing a multi-method study, and gathering information from students, faculty, and instruction librarians, results represented the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.
Results – The data collected using the three evaluation tools provided insight into the needs and perspectives of three stakeholder groups. Individual instructors benefit from the opportunity to improve teaching through informed reflection, and are eager for feedback. Faculty members want their students to have more hands-on experience, but are pleased overall with instruction. Students need less lecturing and more authentic learning opportunities to engage with new knowledge.

Conclusion – Including evaluation techniques in overall information literacy assessment plans is valuable, as instruction librarians gain opportunities for self-reflection and improvement, and administrators gather information about teaching skill levels. The authors gathered useful data that informed administrative decision making related to the IL program at the American University in Cairo. The findings discussed in this paper, both practical and theoretical, can help other college and university librarians think critically about their own IL programs, and influence how library instruction sessions might be evaluated and improved.

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Author Biographies

Meggan Houlihan, American University in Cairo Library New Cairo, Egypt

Coordinator of Instruction/Reference

Amanda Click, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America

PhD Student and ELIME Fellow School of Information and Library Science

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Published

2012-12-11

How to Cite

Houlihan, M., & Click, A. (2012). Teaching Literacy: Methods for Studying and Improving Library Instruction. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 7(4), 35–51. https://doi.org/10.18438/B88W3B

Issue

Section

Research Articles

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