A Model for Leading Virtual Library Workshops by an Online University
Session Format
In-person Poster
Conference Tracks
Library Instruction and Instruction Design; Outreach, Services, and Programs
Short Description
The Northcentral University (NCU) Library provides users with access to resources and services through a 100 percent online environment. NCU Library staff have developed a series of live workshops to support online graduate students with learning how to navigate library resources, as well as to effectively locate, evaluate, and use information relating to their research topics. The creation and facilitation of these workshops is intended to provide critical information, tools, and skills to online students in graduate programs through a Teaching Through Engagement (TTE) © Model. Workshops are held using Zoom conferencing software.
Long Description
The Northcentral University (NCU) Library provides users with access to resources and services through a 100 percent online environment. NCU Library staff have developed a series of live workshops to support online graduate students with learning how to navigate library resources, as well as to effectively locate, evaluate, and use information relating to their research topics. The development and facilitation of these workshops, including the Dissertation Toolbox Series, Advanced Search Skills Group Session, Library Orientation, and RefWorks Power Hour, is intended to provide critical information, tools, and skills to online students in graduate programs through a Teaching through Engagement (TTE) © Model. NCU defines engagement as “an authentic interaction that uses technology to facilitate genuine, systematic, and substantive dialogue before, during, and after the creation and/or application of scholarship.” These workshops serve to create an inclusive and tailored educational experience and further leverage technology in a way that meets online students’ unique learning needs. Library staff encourage attendees to share questions and learn from fellow peers during sessions. All events are published on the Library’s website using Springshare’s LibCal, and sessions are also marketed through the University’s communication channels. To accommodate global, online learners’ schedules, workshops are held in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Students can self-register for these 30-minute or 60-minute workshops, which are held weekly using Zoom conferencing software. Upon registration, students are provided with relevant links to library resources, including subject and resource guides. Following these sessions, participants are sent a follow-up email with additional support resources and a session recording URL generated using Screencast-O-Matic. If attendance to a live event is not possible, recorded workshops are accessible 24/7 from the Library’s website. Since January 2019, NCU Library has offered more than 327 online library workshops with 911 registrations and more than 250 confirmed attendees.
Learning Objectives
- Define and apply the Teaching through Engagement (TTE)© Model
- Develop and facilitate virtual workshops that engage online graduate students and increase awareness of available Library resources
A Model for Leading Virtual Library Workshops by an Online University
The Northcentral University (NCU) Library provides users with access to resources and services through a 100 percent online environment. NCU Library staff have developed a series of live workshops to support online graduate students with learning how to navigate library resources, as well as to effectively locate, evaluate, and use information relating to their research topics. The development and facilitation of these workshops, including the Dissertation Toolbox Series, Advanced Search Skills Group Session, Library Orientation, and RefWorks Power Hour, is intended to provide critical information, tools, and skills to online students in graduate programs through a Teaching through Engagement (TTE) © Model. NCU defines engagement as “an authentic interaction that uses technology to facilitate genuine, systematic, and substantive dialogue before, during, and after the creation and/or application of scholarship.” These workshops serve to create an inclusive and tailored educational experience and further leverage technology in a way that meets online students’ unique learning needs. Library staff encourage attendees to share questions and learn from fellow peers during sessions. All events are published on the Library’s website using Springshare’s LibCal, and sessions are also marketed through the University’s communication channels. To accommodate global, online learners’ schedules, workshops are held in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Students can self-register for these 30-minute or 60-minute workshops, which are held weekly using Zoom conferencing software. Upon registration, students are provided with relevant links to library resources, including subject and resource guides. Following these sessions, participants are sent a follow-up email with additional support resources and a session recording URL generated using Screencast-O-Matic. If attendance to a live event is not possible, recorded workshops are accessible 24/7 from the Library’s website. Since January 2019, NCU Library has offered more than 327 online library workshops with 911 registrations and more than 250 confirmed attendees.
Comments
Interaction Strategies: Presenters will provide a review of NCU's Teaching through Engagement (TTE)© Model and how it applies to library instruction through a poster display. In addition, presenters will share how to leverage technology in virtual library instruction by providing software demonstrations of Zoom conferencing software and Screencast-O-Matic recording software for workshops. Attendees will also have access to the NCU Library's repository of workshops linked on a LibGuide.
Intended Audience: Reference and Instruction Librarians; Outreach Staff
Supporting Links: