library instructional class observation

The class was Dunks’ Writing I, and Alexa Pearce taught the library instruction class. The topic that the class will write a paper on is Diaspora. She talked slowly and utilized the computer and projection system. Whenever possible, she used her hands to call attention to important details.

She started with a quick introduction and how she could be reached. Then she asked a series of general questions to gauge how familiar the students were with the website. She went through how to search Bobcat and how to find articles in databases. She introduced different databases you can search and the difference between keyword searching and using a controlled vocabulary, which is obtained through the database’s thesaurus.

I feel like a better researcher after taking this class. The class was not particularly outspoken and was generally quiet. She incorporated a hands-on group project that went really well. It generated a really good question from one student: How do you know which database is the one you want to use? She explained that certain databases are more specific and others are broader. A good way to start is to use the Research Guides on the library’s webpage and then showed two differently formatted guides they may come across. She even addressed the issue of using Wikipedia as a place to start, by introducing a different “more academic” database they can search (Europa World Yearbook). She did not, however, discourage the use of Wikipedia, but only cautioned the students about being responsible.

The professor asked her to go through setting up a RefWorks account, which didn’t seem like she had put in the lesson plan, but she accommodated it and spent ~10 minutes doing that at the end.