Presentations
Presentation 1: Flexible Online Instruction and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic changed many aspects of life, and it forced academic librarians across the world to quickly create online training and instruction for a variety of audiences. But in order to create flexible online experiences, both asynchronous and synchronous, it’s vital for librarians to design online learning intentionally and with a sustainable view. In this presentation, an information literacy coordinator and an online learning librarian will discuss how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) served as a model for approaching a shift to providing 100 percent online library instruction for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. UDL encourages instructional design that provides multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression, and the UDL Guidelines give specific examples of how to create accessible teaching and learning environments. We used UDL to guide the conversion of instruction from in-person to online and also to design and frame internal training for our colleagues, with the goal of empowering and supporting students and colleagues during this shift. This presentation will provide specific examples of UDL implemented in online instruction and other strategies used, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned providing 100 percent online library teaching for our diverse student population for the 2020-2021 academic year. This presentation will be interactive, with polling and chat engagement, and will conclude with future recommendations for any university looking to infuse UDL in library instruction (face-to-face and online) and beyond to help students and personnel succeed.
Samantha Harlow (she/hers) is the Online Learning Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro). In this job she works with the Research, Outreach, and Instruction (ROI) UNCG University Libraries department to train and assist librarians with online learning, including creating accessible digital objects, teaching online through the university learning management system (LMS) Canvas, and hosting a variety of virtual events for online and face-to-face students and instructors. She is also a liaison librarian to Community and Therapeutic Recreation, Kinesiology, and Public Health Education.
Jenny Dale (she/her/hers) is the Head of Research, Outreach, and Instruction (ROI) at UNCG University Libraries. In this role, she supervises liaison librarians and other ROI personnel and provides leadership on research, student success, and information literacy initiatives. Prior to taking on this role, she served as the Information Literacy Coordinator at UNCG Libraries. She holds a BA in English and an MS in Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. Community- Creating (Online) Research Objects for Student's by Students
Presentation 2: Community-Creating (Online) Research Objects for Students by Students
Abstract: The F.D. Bluford Library Research, Instructional and Engagement Unit was awarded an LSTA grant to support learning during the pandemic. To increase our students information literacy and research skills, and to support online learning, the production aimed to collaborate with students to create instructional videos that would be housed under a Creative Commons license available for use to faculty and instructional support units. To further support students, the aim was to provide tools that students need; more importantly, to allow students to take the lead on content creation to help them gain a better understanding as creators of that knowledge , and a deeper understanding of research and information literacy.
Presentation Slides:
Community-Creating Research Objects for Students by Students.pdf
Joanie Douglas Chavis, an Associate Professor and Head of Research, Instructional and Engagement Services at the F.D. Bluford Library, serves as the PI on this LSTA grant initiative, funded in its second year to support students’ development of learning tools to teach others how to use the library to conduct research. She serves as the liaison to Extended Campus and A&T Online, and serves on many University committees as well as service to ALA and ACRL committees that support professional development and mentorship of librarians as well as supporting the value of academic libraries.
Carlos Grooms is the Student Success Librarian at Carol Grotnes Belk Library on the campus of Elon University. He serves as liaison to The Center for Access and Success, Division of Student Life, and international student programs in the Isabella Connon Global Education Center. Carlos also serves as co-director of the Roundtable for Ethnic and Minority Concerns, a section of the North Carolina Library Association.
Josiah Thompson is a sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, majoring in Business Information Technology. He serves in the mentorship program on campus. This will be his second year working on the grant.
Aliyah Chasten is a sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a member of the Honors program majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication with a concentration in public relations. This will be her second year working on the grant.
Harvey Long, Assistant Professor, is a member of the F.D. Bluford Library’s Research, Instructional, and Engagement Services department, where he provides research assistance and works closely with academic support units to ensure the success of all Aggie students. He is the library liaison to the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), New Student Programs, and the University Writing Center. Harvey serves as the Chair of the University Text in Community committee, and many ARL and ACRL committees.