Making the Most of Library Research Instruction Sessions for Distance Learning Cohorts

Type of Presentation

Individual paper/presentation (20 minute presentation)

Target Audience

Higher Education

Location

Room 210

Abstract

Many distance learning graduate degree programs require at least one on campus orientation session or even one session every semester for program participants. This presentation focuses on how librarians, when given the opportunity to meet with these students face-to-face can play an instrumental role in building student knowledge and comfort with online library resources and advance the development of advanced information literacy skills and knowledge in this growing graduate student population. These sessions can help prepare the students to become successful distance based researchers, build connections with the university and the library and foster productive and valuable consulting relationships between student and librarian. First the library must work to build relationships with the online teaching faculty to build confidence, trust and show value of library instructions. The librarian should also focus on developing a knowledge base of the intricacies of distance learning, adult learning and online technologies. Developing resources, building content knowledge of subject matter, applying information literacy framework to the content, and focusing on presentation skills based on andragogical learning models are essential to successful on campus sessions. Finally, developing avenues for follow-up provide consistent and focused methods of continued contact and consultation with distant students as they progress through the degree program.

Presentation Description

o Working with distance learners can be challenging. One of the best ways to make connections with them is to present at required on campus cohort meetings. This session focusing on partnering with online teaching faculty to secure library research orientations, preparing and presenting sessions that incorporate information literacy framework standards into the discipline content, and creating avenues for follow-up that ensure continued student success.

Session Goals

n/a

Keywords

Distance Learning, Information Literacy, Library Instruction. Research Instruction, Online Learning, Graduate Students

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

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Sep 16th, 10:45 AM Sep 16th, 12:00 PM

Making the Most of Library Research Instruction Sessions for Distance Learning Cohorts

Room 210

Many distance learning graduate degree programs require at least one on campus orientation session or even one session every semester for program participants. This presentation focuses on how librarians, when given the opportunity to meet with these students face-to-face can play an instrumental role in building student knowledge and comfort with online library resources and advance the development of advanced information literacy skills and knowledge in this growing graduate student population. These sessions can help prepare the students to become successful distance based researchers, build connections with the university and the library and foster productive and valuable consulting relationships between student and librarian. First the library must work to build relationships with the online teaching faculty to build confidence, trust and show value of library instructions. The librarian should also focus on developing a knowledge base of the intricacies of distance learning, adult learning and online technologies. Developing resources, building content knowledge of subject matter, applying information literacy framework to the content, and focusing on presentation skills based on andragogical learning models are essential to successful on campus sessions. Finally, developing avenues for follow-up provide consistent and focused methods of continued contact and consultation with distant students as they progress through the degree program.