“Embedded Librarians: A ‘Natural’ Solution”
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The document discusses the role and benefits of embedded librarians collaborating in history classes, focusing on enhancing students' understanding of primary and secondary sources. It outlines positive trends since the inception of the program in 2015, highlighting student feedback and the advantages for both librarians and professors, while acknowledging challenges such as variable student interest and workload balance. Future plans include applying for grants to further develop course materials and expand the role of embedded librarianship in promoting critical thinking in online education.
![Our “ Natural” Collaboration: Data
• We see an overall positive trend since we began in fall 2015
• Some variables (i.e. the 8-week course in fall semester that started in October)
affected success
• Student comments on evaluations: positive and appreciative
• "Having a librarian in the course helped me understand how to read the sources and
understand them. [This had] been a challenge to me at first, but with her help, it
became easier."](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/connectionspresentation-171109184531/85/Embedded-Librarians-A-Natural-Solution-4-320.jpg)
“Embedded Librarians: A ‘Natural’ Solution”
- 1. Embedded Librarians: A “Natural” Solution Dr. Dee McKinney, Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning & Professor of History Katie Shepard, Research & Instruction Librarian
- 2. What’s An Embedded Librarian? • Librarian is in class as co-instructor • Moderates a discussion board for students • Focus on history majors: specific discussions of • Primary and secondary sources • Critical Reading • Written history as opposed to other sorts of history (i.e. artifacts)
- 3. Our “ Natural” Collaboration: Primary Sources • As part of Affordable Learning Georgia, we created a set of readings 100% online and free • All are either primary sources (i.e. The Magna Carta) with some high-quality secondary sources (i.e. virtual tour of Near Eastern Collection at British Museum, with curator commentary and written summary) • Discussion questions (10-12 per unit, over 6 units) focus on primary sources
- 4. Our “ Natural” Collaboration: Data • We see an overall positive trend since we began in fall 2015 • Some variables (i.e. the 8-week course in fall semester that started in October) affected success • Student comments on evaluations: positive and appreciative • "Having a librarian in the course helped me understand how to read the sources and understand them. [This had] been a challenge to me at first, but with her help, it became easier."
- 5. Librarian’s View Advantages • Familiarity with course expectations • Ease library anxiety • Gold medal for librarians: faculty collaboration! Challenges • Student interest can vary – professor endorsement is essential as well as a reason to engage • Work duty balance
- 6. Professor’s View Advantages • New instruction methods • A colleague to collaborate with • Assistance with upkeep of open textbook • Learn more about open educational resources Challenges • Requires patience
- 7. Future Development • We plan to apply for an ALG grant to re-write HIST 1112 with primary sources (currently using them, but needs formalization) • Continue to collaborate and present our findings • Expand embedded librarianship involvement in this and other courses
- 8. How could an embedded librarian help faculty incorporate critical thinking into an online class? We’d like your thoughts!
- 9. What other types of natural relationships can faculty cultivate to encourage critical thinking and creative online teaching methods?
- 10. Questions?
- 11. THANKS!