Using LibGuides in Online Nursing Courses: An Affordable Approach to Student Engagement
Session Format
In-person Poster
Conference Tracks
Outreach, Services, and Programs
Short Description
This poster presents a collaborative effort between the Nursing department and the Libraries at Clarion University to promote affordable learning. Nursing faculty in the online RN-BSN program worked with the virtual learning librarian to develop course-specific LibGuides for the entire program that featured affordable course materials and open educational resources to assist students in completing course outcomes and engaging with content.
Long Description
Affordable learning and textbook costs have been at the forefront of many university conversations. Librarians often take the lead on affordable learning or open educational resources (OER) efforts on campus, assisting faculty in locating quality resources to engage students with course content. At Clarion University, affordable learning efforts led to a partnership between the Libraries and faculty in the Nursing department. This poster presents the collaborative efforts of Nursing faculty and the virtual learning librarian to create LibGuides for the online RN-BSN program as a means to eliminate textbook costs for students. Four RN-BSN faculty worked with the virtual learning librarian to identify specific content areas and resources to assist students in the completion of course objectives. The faculty shared course syllabi and suggested resources, and the librarian developed a course-specific LibGuide for each of the eight core courses in the program. Each guide included affordable course materials, such as library e-books, and OER, such as open courses or textbooks, that would replace the traditional course textbook and seek to increase student engagement with course materials. Faculty reviewed the guides and provided feedback to tailor each to the specific course. The RN-BSN LibGuides will fully replace course textbooks beginning with the Spring 2020 semester. This collaborative effort can be used as a model for affordable learning via the use of course-specific guides in online courses.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this poster presentation, individuals will be able to:
- Develop course-specific LibGuides that feature affordable course materials or open educational resources.
- Determine how LibGuides can support affordable learning initiatives within online courses at their respective campus.
Using LibGuides in Online Nursing Courses: An Affordable Approach to Student Engagement
Affordable learning and textbook costs have been at the forefront of many university conversations. Librarians often take the lead on affordable learning or open educational resources (OER) efforts on campus, assisting faculty in locating quality resources to engage students with course content. At Clarion University, affordable learning efforts led to a partnership between the Libraries and faculty in the Nursing department. This poster presents the collaborative efforts of Nursing faculty and the virtual learning librarian to create LibGuides for the online RN-BSN program as a means to eliminate textbook costs for students. Four RN-BSN faculty worked with the virtual learning librarian to identify specific content areas and resources to assist students in the completion of course objectives. The faculty shared course syllabi and suggested resources, and the librarian developed a course-specific LibGuide for each of the eight core courses in the program. Each guide included affordable course materials, such as library e-books, and OER, such as open courses or textbooks, that would replace the traditional course textbook and seek to increase student engagement with course materials. Faculty reviewed the guides and provided feedback to tailor each to the specific course. The RN-BSN LibGuides will fully replace course textbooks beginning with the Spring 2020 semester. This collaborative effort can be used as a model for affordable learning via the use of course-specific guides in online courses.