Let Them Be the Experts

Miller, S. (2009). They are already experts. In R. L. Sittler & D. Cook (Eds.), The library instruction cookbook (pp. 52-53). Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

A Library Activity Adapted from:

The Learning Pyramid: Fact or Fiction?

Main Cooking Technique:

• Instructor Demonstration

• Small Group Collaboration

• Student Presentation

Main Ingredients:

• Presentation computer with Internet access and projector

• One computer with Internet access for each group of students

• Prepared “challenges” for each group of students (include both specific and general)

The (Brief) Instruction Session:

• How to access the Library Website through CC or BB

• The Search & Find options (articles, books, etc.)

• Introduce the databases to be covered in the activity

• Any other specific requests from the instructor

The Activity:

• Ask students to get a partner or form a group

• Distribute the prepared challenges (at least one per group)

• Give the students ample time to explore their assigned database and answer the questions on their challenge

• Mingle among the groups to check their progress, provide help if they are stuck, answer questions, get them back on track if they are headed in the wrong direction

The Presentations:

• Ask each group to come forward and use the instructor station for a 2-minute presentation

• Students should introduce their “challenge” and assigned database, explain what they did, HOW they found the answer(s), and anything else they found interesting during the activity

Chef’s Notes:

• When preparing the challenges, include “specific” questions that accomplish the objectives and “general” questions that allow freedom to explore topics that are of interest to them

• Remind students that the “HOW” is the important part

• Check their work BEFORE they present to the class

Take Out:

• Provides hand-on practice

• Forces participation

• Safety in working with a group

• Peers are more interesting than the Librarian

• Empowers the students