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Becoming a Leader through Action Research: Building Open Education Practice in the School Library

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The role of the school librarian is evolving from keeper of library materials to leader in school reform. The digital age has elevated  information literacy from the mechanics of searching and finding to thinking and inquiry. To meet this challenge the library facility is reconceptualized as a learning environment and the collection as a dynamic process of curation and access. Library staff, including paraprofessionals, student peers, and parent volunteers are viewed as instructional support. Allocated budgets are supplemented by funding sources such as grants and donations. The school librarian, trained in Action Research, can realize the library as learning center as she systematically collects evidence, sets priorities, and constructs a Strategic Plan. This module brings together the processes of action research, including identifying a problem in practice, formulating a research question, collecting and analyzing data to conduct a Community Scan and School Library Needs Assessment. She will apply her findings to building a Strategic Plan that will transform the school library into a learning center, or improve its existing functions.

Material Type: Module

Author: carol gordon

The Perseus Digital Library

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Perseus is an evolving digital library, engineering interactions through time, space, and language. Our primary goal is to bring a wide range of source materials to as large an audience as possible. We anticipate that greater accessibility to the sources for the study of the humanities will strengthen the quality of questions, lead to new avenues of research, and connect more people through the connection of ideas.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration, Primary Source

Riding by the Library

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In this task students draw the graphs of two functions from verbal descriptions. Both functions describe the same situation but changing the viewpoint of the observer changes where the function has output value zero. This small twist forces the students to think carefully about the interpretation of the dependent variable.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Illustrative Mathematics

Library Class Sessions for Research Methods in Building Construction: Evaluating Sources

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Using source evaluation as the theme, discussed different article types such as government reports, case studies, literature reviews, peer-reviewed scholarly articles, law reviews, self-published articles, and the value of each. Class included a hands-on activity with worksheet.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan, Reading, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Authors: Leslie Mathews, Virginia Pannabecker

Introduction to Fiction

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This course investigates the uses and boundaries of fiction in a range of novels and narrative styles--traditional and innovative, western and nonwestern--and raises questions about the pleasures and meanings of verbal texts in different cultures, times, and forms. Toward the end of the term, we will be particularly concerned with the relationship between art and war in a diverse selection of works.

Material Type: Full Course

Author: Wyn Kelley

Library Employee Training

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There are nine primary characteristics of what are considered the best library training programs. No one program fits every organization, but most training programs that are sucessful and show employees returning from them with marketable skills will have at least some of these qualities contained in them.1. Effective Management of the Training ProgramThe best programs will start with an individual who is the motivator behind the group. Irregardless of the title they hold, this is the person who organizes all the training sessions. The Training Librarian would be responsible for planning and executing all training innitiatives within the library system. the best person for the role would be someone who is innately curious, motivated, and have a vested interest in developing others' skills and to help them reach their potential within the library community. They must be committed to learning and want to help improve everyones skills, not just their own.In addition, the Training Librarian would have to market the program both internally and externally in order to make certain that people are aware of the opportunities that are available to them.2. Needs AssessmentThe Training Librarian would have to, periodically, perform an assessment of the organizational needs of both the employees and patrons/clients. Curiosity comes into play here. The Librarian must be interested enough in the past, present, AND future direction of the program to conduct a proper needs assessment through interviews, surveys, and research.Central to any training program is properly identifying the trining needs of each member of the community and on what topic(s). It is also imperative to remember that a "training need" is the gap between required performance and current performance.3. AlignmentOnce the Training Librarian identifies needs, then they must build a curriculum to address those needs based on supporting the library goals. This way, employees will understand why the training is occuring and managers will support the activity. After all, every activity needs a purpose.4. GoalsWhen the Training Librarian develops Goals for the program, they must make sure to look at the entire picture, including quality, quantity, time, cost, and effectiveness. They must develope a method for testing the progress towards the orginazational goals and ensure reports are easily readable for the needed information. It is best to schedule time to monitor and review progress toward the goals on a regular basis.5. Leadership ApprovalLeadership must be willing to approve of the program from the top down. Having leadership backing the program will reenforce the importance of a program and improve accountability while also assisting to establish expectations. the Training Librarian must always be ready to talk about how the program impacts the financial side of the library program when presenting new ideas as this will impact leadership approval.6. RelevancyThe training librarian must provide training content that is applicable in order to guarantee that the learners will return for more. Catering content to their needs is vital. Catering content to employee and client needs is vital so they can walk away from teh training with something that may be immediately applied.7. CreativityA creative hook is often something that gathers peoples' attention and deemed more valuable to an organization. Creativity can start as small as a theme, go as big as a new "Brand" for the training, or even become a library mascot. The level of fun and familiarity with creative ploys will continue to pull people to the training sessions just to see what is next.8. MarketingMarketing does not stop at the innitial launch of a program. It continues through ongoing efforts throughout the program to make it successful and is integral to making the development of a traing program a success. Any communicattion that is relayed to employees or clients should include an overvieview of the program and clear expectations while showing the individuals what is in it for them. Always remember to provide a why behind every part of the training. The ultimate goal is to increase the use of the training programs.9. ReinforcementIn order to overcome what is known as a "forgetting curve", it is imperative to offer employees and clients refreshers and additional training on new concepts. Without refresshing of their training, many employees will forget a majority of their training within a week. If employees receive refreshers, periodically, they will no only retain more of the information, they will most likely apply more of it to their everyday work habits.Kluczny, Shannon. "9 Characteristics of Top Employee Training Programs." BizLibrary. BizLibrary, 22 May 2017. Web. 07 June 2017. 

Material Type: Module

Author: Chad Kroll

Library support for your project

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An information literacy resource designed to help students undertaking the extended project qualification or other pre HE project. It brings together several elearning modules tailored to the audience, covering subjects such as, plagiarism, searching, writing, proofreading and referencing. Use the following link to download the editable files: https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/learning-objects/wp/download/

Material Type: Interactive

Authors: Carlene Barton, David Hirst

Begin Your Research

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Begin Research“Where Do I Start?”Do you have an assignment to write a research paper but you’re not sure where to start? Take a deep breath and begin by carefully reading the assignment requirements. This will help you understand the work you need to do.First, let’s think about what we mean when we say “research.”HOW MUCH DO YOU ALREADY KNOW?What makes a good topic?It is broad enough that you can find enough information on the subject.It is focused enough that you are not overwhelmed with too much information.The topic is interesting to you.All of the above.If you don’t know much about your topic, what resources would be most helpful when you being your research?Encyclopedias and websitesScholarly articlesNewspapers and magazinesStatistical informationIt is always a good idea to brainstorm different words for similar ideas when you first begin to research your topic.TrueFalseWhat statement below is generally true about beginning research?It is pretty easy to find information on any topic.As long as you have a good topic, researching for it will not take a long time.No matter t he assignment, good research takes time and effort.None of the above.ANSWERSAll of the above.2.1True4.3Read Your Assignment CarefullyBefore you can even begin your research, though, you need to read the assignment instructions carefully—more than once! This will help you understand the work you need to do.Highlight topic guidelines, required length, and the types of information sources allowed.Let’s take a look at a sample assignment.UNDERSTAND YOUR ASSIGNMENTLily is taking a University Studies class and must complete this assignment:In this paper, you will analyze the scientific aspects of a known environmental problem and identify and discuss at least two proposed solutions.Now, analyze this assignment step by step.Find the words that tell you what to do (think verbs!): analyze, identify, and discuss.Find the limits of the assignment: scientific aspects and two proposed solutions.Find the key theme: a known environmental problemBy reading the assignment carefully, we know that Lily has to analyze an environmental problem and identify and discuss at least two proposed solutions.Pick a Good TopicLily’s assignment is broad enough to give her some choices when picking a topic. So, what makes a good topic?It interests you! You’ll enjoy it and do a better job.It meets the requirements of your assignment.It’s broad enough to give you several search options.It’s focused enough that you’re not overwhelmed with information.HOT TIP!Explore the library’s databases to get you started.Browse newspapers and news sources.Talk to your instructors and fellow students.Consult with a librarian.TOO BROAD, TOO NARROW, OR JUST RIGHT?Air pollution in urban areasToo broadToo narrowJust rightRespiratory diseases in children in high-density urban areasToo broadToo narrowJust rightEnvironmental consequences of California’s October 2007 forest firesToo broadToo narrowJust rightPolar bear adaptation to global warming in the ArcticToo broadToo narrowJust rightRenewable energy in the United StatesToo broadToo narrowJust rightThe design and implementation of Cal-Cars—the California Cars InitiativeToo broadToo narrowJust rightANSWERSToo broad. You’d need to identify an aspect of air pollution to narrow down the scopeJust right! This is a good topic. You’ll continue to refine your ideas as you learn more about the topic.A bit narrow. It will be hard to find information on just one event. Look more broadly for information on forest fires in California or the West.Just right. There should be just enough information to get you started. You will continue to refine your ideas as you learn more about the topic.Too broad. This is a good starting place, but you’d want to focus the topic by selecting a specific renewable energy like solar power or wind.Too narrow. It’s going to be difficult to find information on such a narrow topic. Broaden the focus to look at initiatives like this one that are less regional.Identify Potential IdeasNow it’s time to really focus your topic. Browse a few resources for ideas and identify different aspects of the topic.Remember, if you pick a subject that interests you, you’ll enjoy the research process much more!Customize Your TopicLet’s say your assignment is to research an environmental issue. This is a broad starting point, which is a normal first step.One way to customize your topic is to consider how different disciplines approach the same topic in different ways. For example, here’s how your broad topic of “environmental issues” might be approached from different perspectives.Social Sciences: Economics of Using Wind to Produce Energy in the United StatesSciences: Impact of Climate Change on the Habitat of Desert Animals in ArizonaArts and Humanities: Analysis of the Rhetoric of Environmental Protest LiteratureTurn Your Topic into a QuestionWhen you’ve chosen a topic, it’s time to ask some questions. Using “environmental issues” as our general research interest, let’s ask some questions about environmental issues and agriculture.How: How do government agricultural subsidies impact the price of food?  How does the use of pesticides affect food safety?Who: Consumers, farmers, farm workersWhat: Food safety, pesticides, food prices, genetically modified food, organic farmingWhere: United States, developing nations, European UnionWhy: Why does the European Union ban the sale and distribution of genetically modified food?What’s Your Angle?Let’s say that the most interesting question that emerged from the last exercise was: “How does repeated pesticide use in agriculture impact soil and groundwater pollution?”Find Your KeywordsNow that we have our sample research question, we need to identify the key concepts and their related keywords.Using our research question, “How does repeated pesticide use in agriculture impact soil and groundwater pollution?” we might consider these keywords:A SYMPHONY OF SYNONYMSLet’s examine our research question again:How does repeated pesticide use in agriculture impact soil and groundwater pollution?Now analyze this assignment step by step:Find important words and phrases that describe this topic (you can ignore common words that don’t have a lot of meaning, such as prepositions, articles, and adjectives): pesticide, agriculture, soil, and pollution.Now, think of some synonyms for the keywords you found:pesticideagrochemicals, pest management, weed management,diazinan, malathionagriculturefarming, food crops, specific types of cropssoilclay, organic componentsgroundwater watershed, water resources, water table, aquaticspollutionenvironmental impact, degradation, exposure, acid rainWhy are synonyms necessary? You’ll often need to search for different words relating to the same concept.Dive Into a Sea of Resources!Browse through general sources to get familiar with your topic. You will find many sources for locating background information. Remember our point from earlier in this tutorial: the source you select will determine what you find. Make sure you spend your time looking in the right places.HOT TIP!Is there enough info on your topic? If not, review the earlier steps for starting your research. It’s normal to refine and revise your topic multiple times.What Do You Know?Once you’ve established your focused topic, you need to get familiar with it by doing some reading. Start with more general sources and then work up to more specific and detailed sources. Where you go next depends on how much you know.So, just how much do you know about your topic?Not All That MuchI’ve Got the BasicsI’m Ready for DetailsSounds like you need the type of information typically found in encyclopedias and websites.Sounds like you’ve got a basic understanding of your topic and just need to learn more. Check out books, magazines, and newspapers.Specific information is what you need. You’ll want to find relevant scholarly articles, statistical sources, and government publications.Matching Resources to Your Information NeedNewspaper: Current regional or local informationScholarly journal article: Detailed analysis of a complex problem.Book or book chapter: Summary of what is known about a topic.Encyclopedia or website: Factual information like names, dates, and definitions.TEST YOURSELF: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?What are the characteristics of a good topic?(Select all that apply) It interests you.It meets the requirements of your assignment.It’s broad enough to give you several search options.It’s focused enough that you’re not overwhelmed with information.Rank the following questions in order from most general to most specific (1 being the most general):Are pesticides bad?Do video games cause violent behavior in adolescent males?Are agricultural workers in Mexico at a higher risk of health problems due to pesticide exposure because of lax government safety standards?Is there a relationship between fast food consumption and obesity?What is the best way to focus  your topic?Think about the discipline that you are researching for.Tailor your topic to the requirements of your assignment.Talk to a librarian about the resources that are available for your topic.All of the above.Pick the best set of keywords to begin searching for information on global warming.Rising ocean levels, air pollution, greenhouse gasesBiodiversity, atmospheric temperature, ozone layerGlobal climate change, greenhouse effect, atmospheric carbon dioxideEnvironment sustainability, alternative energy, biofuelsWhy is it a good idea to use different words to describe similar ideas when you are beginning research?(Select all that apply) Because there is only one right answer and you can find it by trial and error.Because  using different words will help you cast a broader net than just using the same term over and over.Different researchers might use different terms to describe the same idea.You might spell some of the words wrong and not get any results.What is the most difficult aspect of beginning to research a topic that you don’t know very much about?You don’t know enough about the topic to know what is important and what is not.You don’t understand the technical aspects of the topic.It takes a lot of time to do research.All of the above.For you, what the most difficult part about beginning your research?ANSWERSA good topic will incorporate all these characteristics.1 = Are pesticides bad?2 = Is there a relationship between fast food consumption and obesity?3 = Do video games cause violent behavior in adolescent males?4 = Are agricultural workers in Mexico at a higher risk of health problems due to pesticide exposure because of lax government safety standards?The more a research question incorporates the concepts of Who, What, When, Where, Why, and  How the more specific it will be.All of the above.4.3; think carefully about which terms are closely related to global warming.5.2 and 5.3; there may be many ways to describe a single topic. Using as many related words as possible will help you find the most information!All of the above; remember that research takes time and energy and isn’t an easy thing to do!No matter what, coming to the library and talking to a librarian will help you get started. Finding information effectively and efficientlyLevel 2 teaches you how to structure a search for the information you need to write a paper, for example. You will learn the following:how to construct a search strategy using the aspects defined in level 1how to perform a smart search using the information sources available at TU Delft LibraryDetermining search termsNow it is time to do an actual search! In level 1 you divided the search topic into its different aspects. What’s next? Are you going to use Google and type in all the aspects, like you probably do every day? What will you do with all the search results? Are you going to study them all? No, there is a smarter way!Exercise 1Plug in your earphones or turn down the volume and watch the clip ‘Web Search Strategies Explained in Plain English‘ by Commoncraft about smart searching on the web.Searching the web is very similar to searching other information sources such as Worldcat Discovery. Doing the following exercise will teach you how to apply the aspects of your search topic in a smart search. Complete the exercise on how to find suitable search terms matching the aspects of the search topic. Determining search strategyNow you are going to convert the synonyms you have found into a smart search strategy. You have to use search operators to use all the synonyms properly.Exercise 2Study the TUlib module Search operators.If you want to perform a smart search, you must combine your search terms. Complete thisexercise on combining search terms with Boolean operators.Towards information sourcesNow you have formulated a search strategy, which you will use to search the various information sources. But where to start? How do you choose which information source you want to use? This table gives an overview of the differences between Worldcat Discovery, Scopus and Google Scholar and helps you determine when to use each one.Exercise 3Watch the first two sections (“Basic searching” and “Retrieving documents”) of this video about searching in WorldCat Discovery (which includes the TU Delft Library catalogue).Watch this video with an example of a search strategy carried out in article database Scopus.Complete the exercise on carrying out your search strategy in various information sources.Now you have learned how to convert the aspects of your search topic into a search strategy and how to apply this strategy in a number of information sources.You can find other relevant information sources for your subject area in the “Useful links” overview in the section “What’s next”.

Material Type: Module

Author: Mark McBride

Threshold Concepts: Reenvisioning K-12 Information Literacy Instruction

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The idea of Threshold Concepts has been widely discussed in higher education for more than a decade. As defined by Jan H.F. Meyer and Ray Land, a threshold concept “can be considered as akin to a portal, opening up a new and previously inaccessible way of thinking about something. It represents a transformed way of understanding, or interpreting, or viewing something without which the learner cannot progress”.  (Meyer, J., & Land, R. (2003). Put another way, threshold concepts are the core ideas and principles in any discipline that often become second nature to experts, but may be completely foreign to the novice. And yet, without an understanding of these core concepts, learners cannot progress in further learning in any given subject area. As with all academic disciplines, threshold concepts exist in the area of Information Literacy; grasping information literacy threshold concepts is essential for students to become effective researchers.In 2015, the American Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) replaced their Information Literacy Competency Standards, with a “Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education”. The Framework is organized into six Frames, each anchored by an information literacy threshold concept and supported by a set of knowledge practices and dispositions. These six information literacy threshold concepts include:Authority is Constructed and ContextualInformation Creation is a ProcessInformation Has ValueResearch as InquiryScholarship as ConversationSearching as Strategic ExplorationBased on the research studies and experiences of academic instruction librarians who see first-hand the challenges students experience when conducting college-level research, the new Framework was developed to support information literacy instruction in the digital age. The literature suggests that most students entering college are unprepared for the rigors of academic research. (Head, A. J. (2013). If students can gain an understanding of these six threshold concepts, they will likely be better researchers and generally more successful in their academic work.What are the implications of this huge paradigm shift in college-level research instruction for school librarians? Simply put, school librarians have a wonderful opportunity to prepare students for college level research by systematically teaching information literacy threshold concepts in grades K-12. A scaffolded information literacy instruction program focused on threshold concepts along with standards and skills could help pave the way for students to be effective college researchers. With an estimated 30% of US college and university students dropping out after their first year, preparing research savvy students for the demands of college assignments could have a significant impact on student success and ultimately on college graduation rates.  Instructional ObjectivesBy the completion of Module 1, students will be able to identify a threshold concept from their field or discipline and design a learning activity that could be used to teach this concept.By the completion of Module 2, students will be able to identify one or more stumbling blocks that students encounter when conducting academic research, and describe how a better grasp of one of the six ACRL Information Literacy threshold concepts could help overcome this research barrier.By the completion of Module 3, students will be able to create a lesson plan for a K-12 classroom which teaches or reinforces the threshold concept “Research as Inquiry”. 

Material Type: Module

Author: Susan Mikkelsen

Creating librarian-teacher partnerships: Roles of school principals and school librarians

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This module offers school principals and school librarians the opportunity to build and strengthen understanding and skills toward collaborative instruction with the school librarian and classroom faculty. This module is also appropriate for graduate candidates in school leadership and/or school librarian programs.This module is based on the British University learning model. In England, Small groups of learners meet once a week with a "tutor" - AKA professor to discuss relevant topics, share their work, submit assignments and get feedback. While the faculty suggests resources, learners are expected to conduct research to find their own. This model is especially applicable to school library and school principal candidates who need to build research skills for on-going professional development in the field. Librarians, of course, always need to hone their research skills.Like the British model, learning for this program is largely self-guided. Resources are provided for the learner to develop expertise demonstrated in three major assignments: a white paper, a tri-fold pamphlet, and an analysis of a case study.Candidates must demonstrate and justify competence in targeted ISLLC and ALA Standards to successfully complete the module. This competence is assessed by a rubric used by the candidate for self-assessment and by faculty for performance assessment .Because the learning for this module is largely self-guided, faculty needs to be available for consultation through regularly scheduled office hours and email. The goal of this consultation is to provide coaching and explanation. Faculty will use the Discussion Board Task as formative assessment to guide facilitated instruction and coaching. Summative assessment is demonstrated by the three artifacts produced in the module.

Material Type: Module

Author: Ann Spencer

The British Library Photo Stream

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The British Library’s collections on Flickr Commons offer access to millions of public domain images, which we encourage you to explore and re-use. The release of these collections into the public domain represent the Library's desire to improve knowledge of and about them, to enable novel and unexpected ways of using them, and to begin working with researchers to explore and interpret large scale digital collections. The first set we have added come from a British Library Labs project dubbed the Mechanical Curator, which located more than a million images from within our digitised collection of over 65,000 books from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Over time more public domain collections will be added.

Material Type: Diagram/Illustration

Cognitive STEAM: Environments

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This segment expands the role of library services and spaces in alternative K-12 curriculum. Using STEAM as a model for our discussion, we will review learning styles and how to plan libraries to complement pedagogy. Prior to taking the course you should review student learning styles and multiple intelligence theory. To incorporate all learners into our discussions on space we will look beyond STEM to STEAM including art and design into the process as well. We will investigate a future school library influenced by cognitive research, learning styles and pedagogy. The primary goal in the course is to give educators alternative concepts for educational space design that focuses on pedagogy and the individual learner.

Material Type: Module

Author: Margaret Sullivan

Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World

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The founders of sociology in the United States wanted to make a difference. A central aim of the sociologists of the Chicago school was to use sociological knowledge to achieve social reform. A related aim of sociologists like Jane Addams, W.E.B. DuBois, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett and others since was to use sociological knowledge to understand and alleviate gender, racial, and class inequality. Steve Barkan’s Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World makes sociology relevant for today’s students by balancing traditional coverage with a fresh approach that takes them back to sociology’s American roots in the use of sociological knowledge for social reform. Print on demand edition available here: https://www.uncpress.org/book/9781469659282/sociology/

Material Type: Textbook

Author: Steve Barkan

Social Problems: Continuity and Change

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Social Problems: Continuity and Change by Steve Barkan is a realistic but motivating look at the many issues that are facing our society today. As this book’s subtitle, Continuity and Change, implies, social problems are persistent, but they have also improved in the past and can be improved in the present and future, provided that our nation has the wisdom and will to address them. It is easy for students to read a social problems textbook and come away feeling frustrated by the enormity of the many social problems facing us today. Social Problems: Continuity and Change certainly does not minimize the persistence of social problems, but neither does it overlook the possibilities for change offered by social research and by the activities of everyday citizens working to make a difference. Readers of Steve Barkan’s book will find many examples of how social problems have been improved and of strategies that hold great potential for solving them today and in the future. You will find several pedagogical features help to convey the “continuity and change” theme of this text and the service sociology vision in which it is grounded: Each chapter begins with a “Social Problems in the News” story related to the social problem discussed in that chapter. These stories provide an interesting starting point for the chapter’s discussion and show its relevance for real-life issues. Three types of boxes in each chapter provide examples of how social problems have been changed and can be changed.

Material Type: Textbook

Author: Steven Barkan

ELM Learning Center

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The ELM Learning Center is a collection of instructional materials on the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) databases organized into courses. These materials are created by librarians in the Reference Outreach and Instruction unit of Minitex. The ELM Learning Center can help you get to know ELM and provides as much information as you'd like on using ELM more effectively.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Game, Homework/Assignment, Interactive, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Author: Minitex Reference Outreach & Instruction

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