Piloting a blended model for sustainable IL programming

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -This paper aims to describe the MacEwan University Library's successful pilot of a fully blended information literacy (IL) instruction program for first-year English courses. Development, implementation and assessment of the pilot prior to full implementation are discussed. Design/methodology/approach -The new sustainable blended model for the English Library Instruction Program reduced duplication of content and effort, incorporated online and in-person instruction and promoted self-directed learning opportunities through a new Learning Commons. This model places essential instruction online while maintaining personal relationships for students with the English Librarian and the Library through multiple points of interaction. Face-to-face instruction efforts were concentrated on developing critical thinking skills through a hands-on source evaluation activity and on providing point-of-need support. Librarians worked closely with English faculty to encourage early voluntary adoption of the new model for the Fall 2013 pilot. Findings -The voluntary early-adopter model worked well for garnering and maintaining support from the English department: the authors had 42 per cent of English sessions piloting the new model for Fall 2013, surpassing the initial target of 25 per cent. Students scored well on an assessment of their ability to identify scholarly sources. Librarian preparation time has been greatly reduced. Originality/value -Many academic libraries are looking to asynchronous online tutorials as a more sustainable model for delivering IL instruction. This case study demonstrates that it is possible to move some instruction online while maintaining the personal relationships librarians have forged with students and faculty.

Adult learning theories and autoethnography: Informing the practice of information literacy

“…In another study, the tension between how information literacy instruction is offered and how students then engage in their own self-directed learning was examined (Garden, 2016). An investigation of whether asynchronous online tutorials can offer a sustainable model for information literacy notes the importance of considering self-directed learning as well (Nelson et al, 2015).…”

Library instruction and information literacy 2015

“…Instruction programs for undergraduates, especially first-year students and other special populations within this group, are prominent in the literature. Dennis and Dees (2015) discuss efforts to combat student boredom and improve engagement for first-year students; Debose and Miller (2015) highlight a partnership with professors to create a first-year experience program for students at Georgia Tech; and Nelson et al (2015) discuss the creation of a blended program for first-year English students in which face-to-face instruction was provided for sessions on evaluation of information, and online sessions were offered for instruction on other research topics. Librarians at Dartmouth College also discussed participation in a first-year experience course to support first-generation college students in "Jay Gatsby Goes to College" (Barrett et al, 2015).…”

“…Nelson, J., Morrison, J. and Whitson, L. (2015), "Piloting a blended model for sustainable IL programming", Reference Services Review,Vol. 43 No.…”