Teaching philosophy series: Revolutionizing library instruction by uniting robots and dinosaurs

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In the section “Revolutionizing library instruction by uniting robots and dinosaurs,” I describe my innovative approach to library instruction, which involves uniting seemingly unrelated concepts like robots and dinosaurs to engage students. This unconventional method has garnered significant approval from faculty, who find that students grasp the concepts more easily. My approach has also been adopted by other colleagues in the library. This innovative approach reflects my commitment to adapting traditional library instruction to better engage and educate students, ultimately enhancing information literacy.

Teaching philosophy series: Shaky foundations

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In the “Shaky foundations” section, I discuss a metaphor I encountered early in my career that has significantly influenced my teaching philosophy. This metaphor has become a guiding principle for my instructional design, emphasizing the critical role of building strong foundations to support advanced learning and research.

Teaching philosophy series: Exploring experiential learning and creative thinking

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In the “Exploring experiential learning and creative thinking” section, I describe my involvement in facilitating an Enriched Mini-Courses Program session. This session aimed to leverage Minecraft as a tool for exploring local history and current events, demonstrating the educational and collaborative potential of gaming. I highlight the impact of this experience on the development of my teaching philosophy, emphasizing the value of immersive, experiential learning and the importance of embracing innovative approaches in education.

Teaching philosophy series: Life after graduation

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In the “Life after graduation” section, I reflect on my academic journey, highlighting my unconventional path to higher education. I share how my passion for libraries led me to excel in the program and secure a placement at Carleton University Library, which ultimately propelled my career forward. Here I emphasize the significance of finding one’s passion and the impact it can have on personal and professional success.

Teaching philosophy series: Pursuing university via the Enriched Support Program

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In the “Pursuing university via the Enriched Support Program” section, I recount my acceptance into the Enriched Support Program (ESP) at Carleton University, which provided me with the opportunity to gain eligibility for university admission while earning first-year university credits. Despite initial uncertainty about my future, the program turned out to be a supportive and influential experience, shaping my instructional design process in a profound way.

Teaching philosophy series: Navigating my path to university

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In the “Navigating my path to university” section, I describe my unconventional journey into the world of academia and university life. As the first student in my family to attend university, I broke the mold and took a less conventional route. This experience has influenced my teaching philosophy by emphasizing the importance of understanding the needs and interests of both students and faculty, fostering critical thinking, and helping new university students acclimate to the academic environment.

Teaching philosophy series: An introduction

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Explore a librarian’s growth from a Carleton University library technician, overcoming challenges to develop an inclusive teaching philosophy. Witness the evolution towards dynamic, collaborative instructional sessions that foster critical thinking. Delve into the personal journey of overcoming obstacles, guiding students to become discerning information consumers and adapt to the academic environment.

Why is front-page news so disheartening? Teaching historical newspaper searching

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Okay, so maybe ALL front-page news isn’t disheartening… but let me give you some context. As the Communication and Journalism Librarian, I am preparing for a first-year workshop. In first-year journalism courses, I typically cover the following: Basic library instruction This workshop will cover the basics of library instruction (webpage, … Read more

Blogs are raw…

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A 16-bit style header image for a blog post, featuring a pixelated geode at the center, split open to reveal vibrant, colorful crystals inside, symbolizing the depth and richness of thoughts. Surrounding the geode are icons representing the act of writing and metacognition, including a pixelated brain, thought bubbles, a pen, and a keyboard, all set against a digital, textured background that evokes a sense of openness and introspection. The overall design celebrates the raw, unpolished beauty of sharing one's personal reflections and ideas with the world in a classic video game aesthetic.

When someone I know stumbles upon my blog I’m really embarrassed. I don’t claim to be a good writer, in fact, I don’t think I am. One of my research interests lies in metacognition, which Seth Godin (2009) describes as “thinking about what you are going to say”. I’ve written … Read more