Scaling Up: Active Learning in Information Literacy Classes with More Than 50 Students
Type of Presentation
Individual paper/presentation (20 minute presentation)
Target Audience
Higher Education
Location
Room 1002
Abstract
Active learning, the idea that students should be active participants in the learning process rather than passive recipients of information, is a concept often employed in information literacy instruction. Active learning is generally considered to increase student engagement and to produce more significant and sustained learning outcomes. However active learning strategies used in a class with a typical enrollment of 20 to 30 can be difficult to implement in classes with more than 50 students. This presentation will include a discussion of the challenges of active learning in larger classes as well as suggestions for incorporating active techniques. Discussion and suggestions are based on successful experience working with three subject-specific classes, one session for first year pharmacy students (n=148), one for first semester nursing students (n=81), and the last for fifth semester nursing students (n=95). The active learning techniques discussed all require some pre-class preparation and vary in time and resources necessary to implement and assess.
Presentation Description
Active learning is a concept often employed in information literacy instruction; however, strategies used in a typical class of 20 to 30 students can be difficult to implement in classes with larger enrollments. This presentation includes suggestions for incorporating active learning in instruction for large classes based on experience working with three different classes with more than 50 students.
Keywords
Information literacy, library instruction, active learning, large enrollment, pharmacy students, nursing students, engagement
Publication Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Recommended Citation
Grabowsky, Adelia B., "Scaling Up: Active Learning in Information Literacy Classes with More Than 50 Students" (2016). Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy. 52.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gaintlit/2016/2016/52
Scaling Up: Active Learning in Information Literacy Classes with More Than 50 Students
Room 1002
Active learning, the idea that students should be active participants in the learning process rather than passive recipients of information, is a concept often employed in information literacy instruction. Active learning is generally considered to increase student engagement and to produce more significant and sustained learning outcomes. However active learning strategies used in a class with a typical enrollment of 20 to 30 can be difficult to implement in classes with more than 50 students. This presentation will include a discussion of the challenges of active learning in larger classes as well as suggestions for incorporating active techniques. Discussion and suggestions are based on successful experience working with three subject-specific classes, one session for first year pharmacy students (n=148), one for first semester nursing students (n=81), and the last for fifth semester nursing students (n=95). The active learning techniques discussed all require some pre-class preparation and vary in time and resources necessary to implement and assess.
