Instruction Ideas and Activities: First Years

LC exercise

• Divide students into groups of 2-3
• 12 LC areas
  • Fine Arts, Social Sciences, Religion, World History, Medicine, Language & Literature, Education, Psychology, Technology, Political Science, Science, Music
• Ask the students: What are specific topics you would expect to find under each broad category?
• Each group picks an area that most interests them.
• The group goes to find a book in that area by browsing
• Gather, show topic and call number for book

At the start of class, pass out index cards and ask each student to write a question they have about the library. Usually, they will ask questions you were already going to answer, so you can hold up the card when you answer that question. This exercise almost always yields great questions whose answers are useful for the entire class. This is a great activity for a class without a true "library" assignment.

At Goshen College all first years take CORE 100: Identity and Culture in Community.  There are three library pieces: a physical orientation of the library building, a LMS (Moodle) library workshop on basic searching mechanics, and a library class session on basic evaluation.  For the physical orientation of the library building we developed a "iTour" where students use their iPads to visit several places throughout the library facility.  Students begin by clicking on a QR code on their iPads and then are guided throughout the building.  Each station has a stuffed animal and QR code to direct students to the next area.