Great Expectations: Bringing active learning to an academic library department
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Abstract
The Academic Engagement department in the Georgia Tech Library is responsible for the majority of course-integrated instruction and workshops for the Institute. These sessions cover many topics, from data analysis to podcasting to information literacy. In the past, incorporating active learning techniques was the individual prerogative of each instructor. Now, active learning and universal design for learning (UDL) are requirements for teaching under the aegis of the Georgia Tech Library. The Instruction Manager, supported by the Head of Academic Engagement, developed a plan for introducing these concepts to seasoned and novice instructors alike. The Instruction Manager invited guest trainers for UDL, organized an instruction retreat for the unit focused on active learning, and fully overhauled the class request system for teaching faculty. This poster presents a case rolling out these active learning skillsets for an entire unit with buy-in from library faculty.
We will explore how to teach an entire unit—many of whom have no particular interest in pedagogy—active learning techniques by using active learning techniques. The Instruction Manager created a new, documented standard of success and clear expectations for the future. And for those who continue to be uninterested in pedagogy for its own sake, the proposed skillsets allow for them to choose teaching techniques that are known to be successful while they can focus on their subject matter expertise.
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2025-07-18
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