So, there has been a lot of talk in our 422 class about the new phenomenon of flipping classrooms. But, have you heard of flipping libraries? Well, I had not, until I read the article "Flip your Library". In this article, a high school in Seattle, Washington decided after using flipped classrooms they were going to use the same philosophy and flip their library. In this example, they moved the tour of the library and the rules/expectations to the web. The school used GoAnimate.com to create the library orientation. They also created a quiz about the video for students on PollEverywhere.com to clear up any confusion or misconceptions.
The school states they went further then just flipping the library they changed the culture of the library. They did this by creating a "just ask" motto, and ensuring students that the librarians are experts in information and technology and are there to help. The school found that by using technology to flip their library orientation the results were more student interaction and an overall better transition for freshmen.
I am unsure how I feel about flipping classrooms and now flipping libraries. I think there is a lot a video orientation or tutorial could offer a student if it was efficient and well thought out. However, even in this article it states the school over did it the second year making the orientation 80 minutes long. As a student in high school, I probably would have zoned out after the first five minutes. However, I think back to my library orientation at CSUSM way back when it was in the library and it took a very long time to go through everything and it was just basics. I would like to see schools implementing a few short videos for the library: for the layout, the rules, the research, catalog & computer use, and on plagiarism. I think they would be helpful to any student attending a high school or college. I am concerned for students that do not have access to computers or internet at home, because the article does state the students at the high school have to watch the video at home and this could be a problem for many students. However, I am impressed with the "just ask" motto implemented by the school. I think it is important for students to feel comfortable asking a librarian for assistance and it is great that these librarians are so approachable.
As for the ISTE standards for students, flipping the library addresses Standard 5. Digital citizenship (Standard 5a). The students learn in the orientation how to practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. The orientation video and the quiz also addresses Standard 6. Technology operations and concepts. The students are able to watch the videos from GoAnimate.com and take the quiz from PollEverywhere.com to learn more about their school library.
What do you group members think? Should all high schools and colleges flip their libraries?
Hershey, H., & Belcher, S. (2013-14). Flip your library. Learning & Leading with Technology, 41(4), 22-25.
ISTE. (2007). ISTE standards: students. International Society for Technology in Education.
1 comment:
Ronaele,
I am also unsure about the flipped library concept. I have watched my fair share of instructional videos, and I tend to get bored and try to fast forward so I just get enough information to pass the quiz at the end. Also, with a library I think it is important to physically walk through it to find out where everything is. However, I can see how it would save quite a bit of class time to just have the students watch the video at home and come prepared with any questions they may have. Overall, I would probably vote against the flipped library, and instead have an orientation in the library, and online videos for students to refer to if they forget anything they learned.
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