The strategies below are intended to be easily adapted to a one shot session. Strive to incorporate an active learning technique in every library session you provide.
| Activity Title: | Think-Pair-Share |
| What it is: | Pose a question or problem to the class and give each student a short time to think about the question and write down some possible solutions. Have students pair up to discuss their thoughts. After the students have had an opportunity to discuss in small groups, come back together as a class and ask for volunteers to share their ideas. |
| Time Required: | 5-10 minutes |
| Audience: | any level |
| Technology/Supplies Needed: | none |
| Activity Title: | Quick Flipped Classroom |
| What it is: | After your lesson, give students 5-15 minutes to search for an article related to their assignment. After everyone has found at least one relevant article, ask for volunteers to come to the front to demonstrate their search. This activity can also be done in groups, where each group is assigned a different database to search. |
| Time Required: | 15-30 minutes |
| Audience: | any level |
| Technology/Supplies Needed: | Multiple computers and projector screen |
| Activity Title: | Index Card Q&A |
| What it is: | At the beginning of class, pass out index cards and ask the students to write down one or two questions they have about library research. Collect the cards and read some of the questions aloud to the class as a way of assessing their knowledge prior to delivering your lesson. Save several questions to read at the end of class, and ask for volunteers to answer them. |
| Time Required: | 5-10 minutes |
| Audience: | First year/Sophomores |
| Technology/Supplies Needed: | Index cards |
| Activity Title: | Quick Flipped Classroom |
| What it is: | After your lesson, give students 5-15 minutes to search for an article related to their assignment. After everyone has found at least one relevant article, ask for volunteers to come to the front to demonstrate their search. This activity can also be done in groups, where each group is assigned a different database to search. |
| Time Required: | 15-30 minutes |
| Audience: | any level |
| Technology/Supplies Needed: | Multiple computers and projector screen |
| Activity Title: | Cephalonian Method |
| What it is: | Prior to class, prepare index cards with questions relating to the material you plan to cover in your session (i.e. How do I locate books in the stacks?; What is a subject guide? ) Color code or number each index card. As the students arrive, randomly pass out the index cards to the class. During your presentation, use the cards as a way of generating student participation. At the appropriate time in your presentation, call out a number or color and have the student holding that card read the question aloud. Use the student’s question as an opportunity to discuss the library’s services and resources or to cover simple information literacy concepts. This method is a good way of incorporating humor into a lesson as well. |
| Time Required: | 5-30 minutes |
| Audience: | First year -- especially good for orientations |
| Technology/Supplies Needed: | Index cards. PowerPoint is optional, but can be useful as a guide. |