It's Academic

Evaluating Library Instructors

August 27, 2012

While this recent article from the Christian Science Monitor is about teacher evaluation in primary and secondary education, librarians can still learn from the article, as it addresses an important topic: how are instructors evaluated in a way that will help them to consciously work to improve their teaching? One possible method mentioned by the article which has relevance to us is evaluation through outside observation and constructive feedback. However, the article notes that any evaluation must be completed in an environment where the Instructors feel safe and not threatened by the initiative. Involving Instruction Librarians in the formulation of an evaluation program is likely essential to seeing that any evaluation program is carried out in a fair and objective manner. I’m sure there are plenty of articles about librarian literature about this topic, and for those institutions with a large number of library instructors, some searching would be appropriate. However, sometimes it is nice to delve outside of our discipline, to see how others face and overcome similar challenges.

Recap: Technology in the Classroom Discussion

August 17, 2012

by Amy Deuink

We are so pleased to see and hear that there is quite a bit of interest in the new Connect & Communicate Series of online programming! There were approximately 45* in attendance at Wednesday’s “Technology in the Classroom” discussion, which, frankly, is even more than we hoped! We wanted to share the discussion notes (PDF) with all who were interested in a recap or links to some of the sites recommended, as well as share a few things we learned from this initial foray into hosting an online discussion:

Organize smaller groups to help facilitate discussion, either simultaneous breakouts reconvening at the end or offer multiple small group sessions at different times.
Narrow the focus–we probably had enough possible avenues for a semester’s worth of discussion, so continuing this discussion theme is a distinct possibility.
Enough with the niceties, get to the discussion! I hear you.

On Tuesday, September 11 from 11am-12pm, Kristen Yarmey will present on “Information Literacy in an Age of Algorithms.” We want to experiment with different kinds of online programs to achieve our goals, so Kristen’s presentation will be delivered in more of a traditional lecture format, with some time for comments and questions. Stay tuned for more, including program description and instructions for joining the session.

If you would like to be emailed directly about this and other upcoming Connect & Communicate Series events, you may provide us with your name and email address here: http://goo.gl/4urXl . (If you submitted previously, you are still on our list.)

Please continue to share your ideas for programming topics, speakers, or formats with us! We’re getting some great suggestions and themes are starting to emerge, but we could also use some more speaker names. If you or someone you know is doing something great in Pennsylvania’s academic libraries, tell us about it!

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*Adobe Connect logins and calls were counted separately in the attendance that displayed on the screen, so individuals were counted twice in that total, but some locations also had groups sharing one connection.

CRD Membership Survey – Professional Development

August 17, 2012

tags: crd membership survey 2012

by Bonnie Oldham

Note: Not everyone who responded to the CRD Membership Survey added comments.

Does your institution cover the cost of membership in professional organizations?

Only 23 people commented on this question. Half of them said yes with qualifications (membership in one organization only, MLS librarians only) or said either sometimes or partially. Three said no with qualifications (not for PaLA, may do so in the future); five were either not sure or didn’t know; and two had no Institutional affiliation (student, retiree).

Question 23 – Does your institution cover the cost of professional development such as conferences, workshops, and webinars, etc.?

There were 100 people who added a comment to this question, and 91% of them said that costs are covered…sometimes or in a limited amount. For a number of people the amount was only $100 or $200 per year–very small indeed! Some people noted that reimbursement for attendance was qualified, for example, only tenured faculty. One person said that at her library there is “competitive bidding for a fixed amount awarded from a capped professional development budget.” Many commented that the amount of money available currently is less than was available in previous years. One person said, “Only my time off is covered.”

Question 24 – How often do you attend programs, workshops or conferences arranged by PaLA, College & Research Division or any other PaLA units?

Only 33 people added a comment to this question and 70% (23) said that they have attended PaLA events. There were 4 new members plus 3 others who said that they plan to attend events in the future. One person said that she “used to” attend PaLA events, but “now attend other meetings instead.” One person complained that “there are not many programs on Tech Services topics.”

Join Us! Technology in the Classroom Discussion

August 13, 2012

by Amy Deuink

Discussion: Technology in the Classroom — Wednesday, August 15 from 12 noon to 1pm

Grab your lunch and join us for an informal discussion of technology in the classroom. What works and what doesn’t? Does technology enhance or distract from teaching and learning? And what about assessment? Any cool new tools you want to share?

In advance of the discussion, we ask that you please take a few moments to read the following articles that will help frame our discussion. This discussion will be held using Adobe Connect web conferencing and integrated telephone conference call to a toll-free number. If you would like to receive instructions for joining this session, please email Amy (ald120 at psu.edu). This session is free and open to all who wish to participate.

“A Tech-Happy Professor Reboots After Hearing His Teaching Advice Isn’t Working”(Chronicle of Higher Education, 2/12/12) http://chronicle.com/article/A-Tech-Happy-Professor-Reboots/130741/

Kansas State University anthropology professor Michael Wesch, who made a splash 5 years ago with the video “A Vision of Students Today” (4.6 millions views on YouTube), has spoken widely about “tech-infused” methods of teaching. After receiving feedback that it’s not working for some professors, he’s not “swearing off technology… but he has a new message”: “It doesn’t matter what method you use if you do not first focus one intangible factor: the bond between the professor and student.”

“How ‘Flipping’ the Classroom Can Improve the Traditional Lecture” (Chronicle of Higher Education, 2/19/12) http://chronicle.com/article/How-Flipping-the-Classroom/130857/

“As its name suggests, flipping describes the inversion of expectations in the traditional college lecture. It takes many forms, including interactive engagement, just-in-time teaching (in which student respond to Web-based questions before class, and the professor uses this feedback to inform his or her teaching, and peer instruction.”

One of the goals of the Connect & Communicate Series of online programming offered by the PaLA College & Research Division is to help foster a community of academic librarians in Pennsylvania. Thus, we are launching the series with a discussion we think would interest many and opening it to all. But, we still want to hear from you! Please continue to share your ideas for programming topics, speakers, or formats here: http://goo.gl/IljHr . If you would like to be emailed directly about upcoming events, you may provide us with your name and email address here: http://goo.gl/4urXl .

Save the date of the next Connect & Communicate Series program!

Presentation: Information Literacy in an Age of Algorithms by Kristen Yarmey, Digital Services Librarian, University of Scranton
Tuesday, September 11 from 11am-noon

PaLA Annual Conference early bird registration deadline approaching!

August 12, 2012

tags: barbara fister, crd conference programs

by CRD of PaLA

Registration is now underway for PaLA’s Annual Conference, PA Libraries: Leading the Charge, Sept. 30 – Oct. 3 at Gateway Gettysburg. If you register by August 22, you can take advantage of the early bird rates, and if you register online, you can avoid the $10 processing fee.

The College & Research Division luncheon features Barbara Fister. Barbara is a well-known blogger in academic library circles and writes mysteries in her spare time when not working as a librarian at Gustavus Adolphus College (MN). Her presentation, “Playing for Keeps: Lifelong Learning in the Ludic Library,” will give her mash-up of information literacy/student learning and open access/publishing/technology/copyright and where they all intersect, in a fun yet thought-provoking talk.

The CRD is also offering an exciting lineup of 15 sessions this year. Once again we’re able to offer a second track on Monday, offering 2 sessions per time slot. Session topics include the following, and you can view a complete list of the programs here.

A new online Open Access publication for PA’s academic libraries
Sustainable usability testing in academic libraries
Technical services assessment
E-Books in the academic library – theory and implementation
Comparing 3 ‘Discovery’ services – EBSCOhost Discovery Service, Summon, and WorldCat Local
A new ‘take’ on course & subject guides
Applications of mobile technologies in libraries
Evidence-based practice and information literacy
Teaching the “The Filter Bubble” as part of info lit
Developing an information literacy lab
Learning/Knowledge Commons
Using Digital Commons as an institutional repository and library publishing platform
Interactive Games to enhance students’ 21st century skills
The embedded librarian in online, graduate, research courses