TEACHING OURSELVES developing a learning community for library instructors Lynn Jones | Lisa Ngo | UC Berkeley LOEX 2010
Berkeley is a large decentralized campus, with more than 20 library service points.
A great deal of library instruction goes on at Berkeley sessions 15,000+ students photo by ben.chaney. creative commons licensed.
Instruction is done by subject specialists and by instruction librarians.
Who teaches in the Library?
Berkeley’s Instructor Development Program has been active since Spring 2009.
The planning document is at
Themes and topics were given to us. Designing events was up to us.
A community of practice is a group of people who share their experiences to improve their skills.
“Community of Practice”
Topic categories Educational theory Faculty consultation and Assignment design Designing effective instructional materials Instructional techniques and Teaching tips Instructional and classroom technologies Evaluation and assessment
Event types Lectures / presentations by experts Lightning talks Journal / reading club Workshops Reflective practices Open observation
We’ve met in a variety of venues.
Informal
Even our classrooms.
Web “events” Videos to watch and blog on Blogging on readings or events Recorded lecture LOEX encore presentations
Things we haven’t tried yet Recording ourselves teaching Teaching buddies Teaching portfolio Acting / voice / improv lessons
Assessment photo by comedy_nose. creative commons licensed.
Event attendance
Survey responses
“... I have built a more solid group of peers that I consider go-to sources for advice...” “I have a new focus on engaging my students as a higher priority than covering content...” “I have been thinking about ways... in which I can advocate for more incorporation of active learning techniques into our unit's curricula...” “... I am more conscious of instructional design when creating lesson plans...”
The timing of events matters. Everyone is very busy. Our own prep time is limited.
The program is a work in progress.
Our Community