The document discusses connecting the library with developmental classes at Washtenaw Community College. It describes how the library faculty started collaborating with the Academic and Career Skills department in 2007 to standardize library instruction for a College Reading and Study Skills course. They aligned the library instruction with the course objectives and learning outcomes. This included designing active learning activities and assessments for the one-hour library sessions. The goal was to support developmental courses and students by demonstrating effective research skills.

1. Connecting the Library with Developmental Classes
Sandra C. McCarthy, Faculty Librarian, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI
Presented at Michigan Library Association Annual Conference November 7, 2012 Dearborn, Michigan
Development of Program and
Collaboration with Faculty
• Started in summer 2007
• Approached by Academic and Career Skills (ACS)
Department Chair
• Standardize instruction for ACS 107 College Reading
and Study Skills
• Included an assessment (use of clickers)
• Aligned instruction with course objectives
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective note-taking
techniques
• Demonstrate overall increase of reading speed
using these techniques with little or no loss of
comprehension
• Identify strategies for reading and evaluating
electronic text and web pages.
• Aligned instruction with course learning outcome
• Self-evaluate and improve strengths and areas
for academic growth in learning and study skills
• Support developmental courses and students
• Created LibGuide for ACS 107
Library Skill Activity
How to Design an Active Learning Environment
• Select a meaningful activity related to class
• Clear step-by-step instructions
• Topics supported by library collection
• Design instruction to be several short lectures
• Embed activity after first lecture
• Follow by discuss of the activity – Talking moment with students
• Lecture on class related
objective
• Use simple assessment
• Length of class 1 hour –
depends on the class
dynamics
Sample Assessment using Personal Response Systems