This poster seeks to demonstrate how simple diagrams can be used to teach complex information-seeking concepts to students in creative professions who prefer a non-linear, visual learning style. It shows diagrams of the different types of information sources available to architecture and landscape architecture students, such as books, journals, articles, and databases. The diagrams are intended to provide a quick, high-level overview of information resources in a style that is preferred by visual learners. Evaluating different source types on a spectrum from reliable to unreliable further engages students in conceptualizing how information reliability is assessed.

1. Simple Visuals “[Architects] show a remarkable lack of enthusiasm for the written word.”
-M. Mackinder, Architect
1
for Complex
Map
Use...
Research
ILL
Poly CAT for seeing Evidence of Need Architecture and Construction Management
which books we own and
journals we subscribe to Landscape Architecture Students Classi- 3rd-Year Students Classified by the Kolb
fied by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Learning Style Inventory
This poster seeks to demonstrate the for ordering books
in the region
illustrative power of simple diagrams Poly CAT
33%
Inter-Library Loan (ILL)
to teach information-seeking concepts. for articles & books not 21%
55%
27%
covered by the above
Diagrams and images allow for quick, services
non-didactic introduction of big-picture Classify NF (Intuitive/Feeling)
concepts in the non-linear, detail-free style NT (Intuitive/Thinking) Assimilating
Converging
SF (Sensing/Feeling)
Diverging
preferred by students of creative professions. ALL ARTICLES
ST (Sensing/Thinking) Accomodating
Brown, Robert D., Hallett, Mary E., Stoltz, Ronald R. Tucker, Richard. “Southern Drift: The Learning
“Student Learning Styles in Landscape Architecture Styles of First- and Third-Year Students of the
SCHOLARLY ARTICLES Education.” Landscape and Urban Planning, vol. 30, Built Environment.” Architectural Science Re-
(FROM JOURNALS/PERIODICALS)
1994: 151-157. view Vol. 50.3, 2007: 246-255.
Students of the built environment share a personality-
Classroom Activity
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES
based need for creative, open-ended, discussion-spark-
On the spectrum below place each post-it where you
ing opportunities where the big picture is presented first.
think the source or characteristic belongs on the spec-
These techniques satisfy the learning
trum of information reliability. Evaluate (and teaching) styles preferred by the
Intuitive Feelers and Intuitive Thinkers
of Myers-Briggs, and the Assimilators
and Convergers of Kolb.
RELIABLE UNRELIABLE
“To see and be shown is now the
A failed attempt: will and new expectation of half-
mankind.” 2 Analogize
-Henry Luce, Founder of Life Magazine “The Library is a
Architecture & Landscape Architecture
Research Diet Restaurant.” 3
Quote Sources Google
-William Pereira,
Architect
Firm &
Wikipedia
1. Stephann Makri and Claire Warwick, “Inspiration for Information: Under-
Try to avoid
Trade
Entries
standing Architects’ Information Seeking and Use Behaviors to Inform De- Websites
sign,” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Tech- Google
nology 61, no. 9 (2010): 1745-1770. Google Wikipedia
Too many concepts. Scholar
Advanced
Search References
2. Jan Baetens, “Illustrations, Images and Anti-Illustrations,” in Eloquent
Inconsistent visual style. Images: Word and Image in the Age of New Media 2003, ed. Mary E.
Hocks and Michelle R. Kendrick (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2003) 185.
Maps & GIS
Print Journals
Databases:
Avery Index
Art & Arch Complete
Books:
PolyCAT
LINK+
Images:
ARTstor
Wikimdia Commons Jesse Vestermark
Sage Journals Online ILL Flickr Creative Commons
Architecture and Environmental Design Librarian
Gimmicky graphics.
Web of Knowledge Media Resource Center (MRC)
Government:
3. James Britton, “Evaluation: Lantern-like Library Held Aloft on Concrete .gov (federal)
Jstor
California Polytechnic State University
Fingers,” AIA Journal 66, no. 9 (1977): 30-35. .ca.us (California) Research Guides MRC Materials Collection
San Luis Obispo
jvesterm@calpoly.edu