Student Learners today:Library engagement and

experience

Gulcin Cribb

agenda

• Student learners

• Engagement

• Library’s role

How Much Data Is Created Every Minute? [INFOGRAPHIC]

attention and information

• “It is becoming increasingly clear that attention is the new currency,”

• “Consider social networks and the businesses we interact with every day. They are all competing for a sliver of our time and attention. So maintaining our attention becomes a competitive advantage.”

student engagement

‘All aspects of student engagement are positively related to students’ overall satisfaction with

university study. More engaged learners are more satisfied, and vice versa.’ (ACER, 2008)

‘When students perceive their learning environment as supportive they are likely to be

more engaged with learning.’ (ACER, 2011)

February 2011 Information Online 2011 12

students

• Don’t start searching on library website• Think library sources more trustworthy• Don’t borrow many books • Think ‘anyone can find information – so easy!’• Don’t like being ‘trained’, but prefer ‘interactive

and collaborative’ learning

students

• Love being asked to contribute ideas, express opinions and make suggestions

• Like using library as social and collaboration spaces

• Prefer technological and personal methods to research

• Less interested in extra-curricular activities• Spend less time on the campus

ERIAL Project findings

• Students:– Overuse Google– Misuse ‘scholarly databases’– Lack of understanding of search logic

• Librarians and professors:– Overestimate students’ research skills– Project an idealistic view of the research

process onto students• May result in interactions

– Leaving students intimidated and alienated

library use, information literacy and student success

• Does the library have any impact on student learning?• Does ‘library use’ (loan of books, e-resource usage,

library visits, information literacy, network logins and so on) have any impact on student learning, engagement and academic performance?

• Are we shifting focus from ‘information access’ to ‘student learning and engagement’?

Keep our heads above book-centric content?

way forward

• Get close to our students, ask, listen, understand them• Interact with them, not just in classes, but at desk, in

their activities, via social media• Content and delivery must resonate with students • Personalise and make the programs relevant, engaging

and useful• Take into account prior knowledge, learning and skills,

don’t assume• Seek feedback, input, contributions and be sincere about

it, act on feedback – Ask their opinions• Care……

?