Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Inquiry Method

BI ILGoal: to teach

students how to find information in the library

Goal: to teach students to manage information wisely; to encourage inquisitiveness; to foster lifelong learning

Inquiry Method: “Student-centered method of education focused on asking questions” Good learner traitsSelf confidence, bolder

kind of intelligencePleasure in problem-

solvingKeen sense of relevanceNo fear of being wrongFlexible point of viewContemplative approach

to answeringAbility to distinguish

between fact and opinionComfort with the

unanswered question

Avoid telling students what they “ought to know”

Talk to students in a questioning manner

Encourage thoughtful answers to questions

Encourage non-judgmental student interactions

Lesson plan flexible/ encourages problem-solving

Gauge success by how student inquiry behavior develops

Inquiry teacher traits

My early life as a BI librarianBI as one-shotsPrograms: CREW, business classes, applied

psychology classes, seminar in contemporary world issues, MASH, education classes, radiography, Freshman Focus

Dog and pony show—show and tellStudents often getting the session two and

three timesNot required

Enough is EnoughInvited students to be the driversDesigned interactive sessionsVisited classes only if they had an assignmentAsked faculty for student questions ahead of

class timeCollaborated with instructional designer and

faculty in the creation of library friendly assignments

Meeting of the MindsInformation literacy finds its rightful place

“embedded” in the COREInformation literacy librarian is hiredStaff librarians transformed into “teaching

librarians”Creative juices are tapped and lesson plans

are formedCollaboration in ClearspaceCollaboration in our subject wikis and

course wikis

Practice makes Perfect….well, almost…….

Make lesson plans my ownPractice on the catsAdd “my” storySometimes start class with a poemSome days are diamonds, some days are

stone

Wow, this is Challenging!“Guide on the side” rather than “sage on the

stage”4.5 librarians to cover ever-growing course loadPlease speak up—waiting for a voice/enduring

silenceI have to write on the board??Calling students by their names—you’ve got to be

kidding…….May I just please show them the library

webpage……it’s so comforting……Hello faculty member, where are you?....oh,

grading papers in the back of the room

Letting Go, Growing StrongUsing inquiry to teach inquirySharing successes, failures, frustrationsInquiry powerful tool for teambuilding,

collaboration, and individual developmentVulnerability and authenticity

Goals & Expectations exercise: IL program “cornerstone”Inquiry-based: encourages students to think about

the role of information (literacy) in their daily livesOutcome: “combines new information with existing

knowledge to generate new ideas and address a particular problem or question.

Revolves around 3 key questions:Where does information come from?What do you want the information you use to be? What do you expect the information you use to do for

you?“Real World”: Putting your goals & expectations to

work

Programmatic SWOTStrengthsOur staffOur facultyA new librarianSupport from CORE

DeanA lot of ideasGood studentsGood track recordInquiry method

Number of librariansSize of incoming classNewnessShort prep timeA lot of ideasOverextendingClassroom spaceScheduling

Weaknesses

SWOT continuedOpportunities ThreatsTeach a lot of classesNewnessInform faculty about ILMore contact with faculty &

studentsExpand library presencePersonal growthAssessment cultureStudents all four yearsGet ‘em while they’re youngWeb 2.0

Teach a lot of classesSustain new initiativesTime for our individual

obligationsBurnoutAssessment cultureCovering program

sessionsOld BI model

Thank You!