Discusses the learning process and factors which generally determine how much is learned, i.e., content, the librarian's style, the learner's attitude and ability, and the environment. Suggestions are provided for dealing with these factors in planning library instruction. (LLS)

Looks at criticisms of bibliographic instruction in academic libraries in light of an organizational model called reflection-in-action. Following a description of counterproductive modes of interaction, the collaborative learning method is recommended. Theory and use of this teaching method are described, and applications specific to bibliographic…

Describes experiences of a librarian who participated in the World Library Partnership to volunteer in a South African elementary school library during a summer. Discusses classroom teaching techniques; library technical processes; training library staff and teachers; student workers; story times; library instruction; and library policy. (LRW)

Discussion of critical thinking skills focuses on the academic library's role in teaching critical thinking skills based on experiences with a library resources course at Louisiana State University. Teaching techniques are discussed, sample lessons are described, and evaluation of students' research papers and student retention of skills are…

Describes a survey of 100 library school deans and directors conducted to determine the current status of bibliographic instruction. Results indicate that interest in such courses is high and that preparing effective instructors to teach involves skills in communication, teaching techniques, and evaluation techniques.

Discusses the necessity of incorporating bibliographic instruction courses into the curriculum of teacher preparation programs and reviews the literature in this area. A unit which introduces elementary education majors to school library services as a part of a required children's literature course at Western State College of Colorado is…

Discusses the evaluation of library instruction through observations of student and faculty at the reference desk of university libraries. Bad effects (guilt, overconfidence, indignation) and good effects (patience, adventurousness, trust) of library instruction are noted, and characteristics of more successful academic library instruction are…

Reviews the research that suggests that qualitative approaches to the evaluation of library user education programs may sometimes be more appropriate than quantitative measures. The differences between quantitative and qualitative evaluation are discussed, and the instances in which one approach may be preferred to the other are identified. (17…

Reviews controversies over different conceptions of critical thinking and its application to education. Discusses the relevance to and impact of critical thinking on bibliographic instruction. (JKP)

Offered as an alternative to the search strategy model for bibliographic instruction, the approach to library instruction in psychology which is described involves analysis of the natural structure of the research literature. An example using Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance is presented. Twelve references are cited. (EJS)

Describes how principles of learning theory can be applied to bibliographic instruction to increase its efficacy and broaden its scope. The discussion covers conditions of learning, including motivation, active responding, and reinforcement; learning of information seeking behaviors, including the power of reinforcement and librarian-initiated…

Discusses management of two interdependent domains of inner behavior in the micro-information environment: voluntary or affective skills and intellectual or cognitive skills. Examples are given under six principles for boosting motivational level of user of information services: affective knowing, social facilitation, affective Zeigarnik effect,…

Claims that students from foreign countries tend to have little knowledge or background working with American research libraries. Describes a collaborative research project aimed at making academic libraries less intimidating for these students. Argues that such a method helps all students acquire essential skills. (HB)

Examines the current status of freshman writing as a vehicle for bibliographic instruction based on a survey of four-year colleges. Perceptions of bibliographic instruction librarians are discussed; instruction methods used are described; and implications for further research are suggested. (22 references) (LRW)

Describes a program developed by librarians at Arizona State University West to evaluate their library instruction. Topics discussed include stressing individual improvement rather than personnel evaluation and decisions; group process; focus on formative evaluation; role of evaluation measures; evaluations by faculty and students; and colleague…