Cloning Ourselves: One Librarian\u27s Experience

As information literacy instruction becomes increasingly integrated throughout the curriculum, the demands on librarians have increased. This breakout presents two virtual instructional technologies to maximize contact with, and learning by, students in response to workload and location limitations. This breakout demonstrates using MediaSite technology as one means to accommodate increased demands. In addition, survey technologies such as SurveyMonkey provide a means to collect evaluative and assessment data using online technology. Such technology serves as a ‘clone’ of the librarian and extends instructional outreach and support. Impetus for such adoption can be driven by librarian or student needs. For librarians, such technologies: respond to increased demand for instruction confirm the librarian’s leadership role in adopting new technologies, and automate collection of evaluative data for evidence of student learning. Student-focused aspects addressed through the use of virtual technologies: acknowledge their preference for electronic access, provide presentations applicable to multiple learning styles enable repeat access to the information to encourage learning and retention, and support distance education students’ access to library instruction. Discussion includes the promises and pitfalls as revealed in discussion of benefits through collaborative participation of technologists, faculty and librarian colleagues as well as limitations. Early data collection from student and faculty respondents will be presented to inform and solicit discussion on further use of these and alternative applications by the attendees. A summary of the literature to date on optimizing the student/instructor interaction using this type of virtual instruction tool will be provided