2/10/2011

LIS 688 Information Literacy

Personal Teaching philosophy

As a graduate student in library and information science, I know that teaching and

instructing will be a part of my job in some way no matter what path I choose to take

within the profession. The following philosophy is based on my own personal

experiences teaching and learning as well as on the readings and the class discussions.

As a teacher I will try and help students form bridges between what they already

know and have experienced and what they are about to learn and also build bridges and

connections to each other. As an instructor I will be charged with facilitating the

classroom structure and ultimately responsible for learning outcomes, but I also know

that every student has something valuable to offer their peers and myself because of the

constructivist nature of learning. As an instructor I will aim to make every student feel as

though their perspectives and ideas are vital and important, thus hopefully succeeding in

building those bridges and keeping them engaged.

As an instructor I will strive to present information in multiple ways so I can

reach all students in a way that they prefer. I believe that incorporating lecture,

discussion, group and individual activities and creative outlets within the classroom are

important. I’d prefer to give students several different options as to individual and group

activities to show what they’ve learned. For instance, I might give options to write a

paper, make an aid and give a presentation, make marketing material or “cheatsheets”,

all with the goal of students proving they understand the material while letting them do it

in a way that works for them.

As a student I have thrived in classes where there are both concrete answers as

well as an opportunity to base opinions and ideas on those concrete answers. As an

instructor I will try to keep students engaged by giving them to tools needed to form

opinions, ideas and values of their own on the subject matter presented, and strive to

provide a safe, respectful atmosphere for them to develop and share these ideas. One

way I can do this is by implementing a holistic approach.

I believe that as a teacher/instructor I have a duty to my co-workers and peers as

well as to my students to put what we are learning in context. I feel that the most

effective teachers I have had have successfully helped their students answer the “so

what” and “why does this matter” questions. I believe that successful teachers are able to

show their students how the material learned in class transcends the period or semester,

and aids students in building constructivist bridges between classes, subject matter and

past, present and future experiences. I see knowledge, education and information literacy

more of a web than a linear prescriptive pathway, and feel that sometimes when we put it

in terms of classes and plans of study we lend the knowledge learned in term classes to be

compartmentalized. As an instructor I will strive to lead students to understand how all of

these things are interconnected and by gaining certain skills in one area, especially one

like information literacy, they are exponentially increasing their potential in another.

As a professional, I will strive to form connections and partnerships with

professors to help meet the needs of their students and meet the goals of the class.

Professors being on board with information literacy instruction is important to it’s

sucesss, so I will strive to nurture relationships and and prepare lessons that benefit

everyone involved. I will work with professors to find the best schedule, topics, and

presentation forms that wil lbe the most efficeient and educational for everyone involved.

I will also strive to stay professionally active in professional organizations and

other community tools, including list serves and professional journals. Staying

professionally active will help me stay in-tune with what is going on in the profession

and help me stay educated on current trends. I will also strive to seek out continuing

education opportunites so that I can use the latest tools and pedagogy to best help my

students.

While I’m not sure where I’ll end up yet professionally, I do know that knowing

how to teach the use of information will be beneficial to me as a professional and the

community I serve. Understanding how information literacy instruction is delivered and

received will help me preform in any part of the infformation demand and and supply

chain. Being able to “think like a consumer” will help me better serve my community in

whatever facet of the library proffession I end up workin in professionally.