Library Learning

The Library was well-represented at this year’s LOEX Annual Conference (http://www.loexconference.org/), held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on April 30-May 2, 2009. Lisa Hinchliffe and Beth Woodard facilitated a session called “The Teaching Philosophy Framework: Learning, Leading, and Growing.” Merinda Hensley facilitated a session titled “The Savvy Researcher: Teaching Information Management Skills to Graduate Students.” Robin Miller, current graduate assistant in Reference, also presented a poster at LOEX titled, “Live and Online! Developing Drop-In Library Instruction Sessions for Distance Learners.” As presenters submit their materials, they are being posted online, and eventually the proceedings will be published.

Each year the University of Illinois hosts the Faculty Summer Institute (FSI) a week-long workshop for faculty, administrators, and others around the state "involved in the application of Web-based technologies to the teaching and learning process and in the planning, administration, and management of online education programs." In past years, librarians have attended and presented at the FSI.

The theme for 2009 is "Anywhere, All The Time: Transforming Learning" and the sessions include one lead by Rudy Leon, Learning Commons Librarian in the Undergraduate Library. It is great to see the University Library represented in these kinds of workshops in order to further our integration in teaching and learning on campus!

Rudy's Session:

Social Bookmarking & RSS for Teaching and Research
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 1:30pm - 2:45pm
Location: 304 English Building
Target Audience: Beginner
Session Type: Hands-on Workshop - 1 part
Track: Future Tense

Delicious, Diigo, 2collab, Connotea, CiteULike... the list could go on and on. The real question is what do these tools have to offer you beyond a certain level of buzz and savvy? Can they help your research, your teaching, and the quality of work you get from you students? How can you harness the power of social bookmarking to make the most out of your time and information?

This workshop will help you determine which bookmarking networks are right for you & your research, and for you & your students, and how you can combine social bookmarking and RSS to maximize the time you spend finding the information you need, and communicating it to others.

Our next Teaching Toss is this Thursday, May 21, 12-1, in Library 428 on the topic of assessment. Susan Avery will facilitate the discussion based on her experiences as a participants in the Institute for Information Literacy Assessment Immersion program.

As a reminder .... The Teaching Toss is an open discussion on teaching and a salad-buffet potluck rolled into one! Sort of like a brown bag but instead we'll share our ingredients and ideas to create two great mixes - intellectually and culinary. The Office of Information Literacy (a.k.a. Lisa) will provide lettuce and other salad basics - you bring one salad topping (e.g., croutons, shredded cheese, cut-up veggies) and your best ideas on the theme.

Why are we doing this? Well, because you asked us too! We've had many requests for discussions and opportunities to share with each other. We thought this would be a fun alternative to the brown bag. So, bring your salad contribution and willingness to share great ideas!

WILU is Canada's answer to the LOEX Annual Conference in the United States. The University Library is well-represented this year. Merinda Hensley is presenting on "Teaching New Librarians How to Teach: Creating a Peer Learning Environment" and Emily Love on "Reaching Out Beyond the Classroom: Partnering with Student Services on Campus." Lisa Hinchliffe is presenting a session with Karen Nicholson of McMaster University on "Fostering Reflective Practice through Coaching" as well as giving a Lightning Strike session on "The Learning Library: Building Communication for an Information Literacy Program" (yes, this is a blog posting highlighting a talk that is about this blog - how's that for coming full-circle?)."