Experiencing Research Firsthand: The 'unClassroom' Experiential Learning Approach to Teaching Research Methods in an LIS Master's Program
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| Title: | Experiencing Research Firsthand: The 'unClassroom' Experiential Learning Approach to Teaching Research Methods in an LIS Master's Program |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mandel, Lauren H. |
| Source: | Journal of Education for Library and Information Science. Fall 2017 58(4):187-201. |
| Availability: | Association for Library and Information Science Education. 2150 N 107th Street Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98133. Tel: 206-209-5267; Fax: 206-367-8777; e-mail: office@alise.org; Web site: http://www.alise.org/jelis-2 |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2017 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Library Science, Masters Programs, Research Methodology, Research Skills, Skill Development, Library Education, Experiential Learning, Methods Courses, Teaching Methods, Teamwork, Student Research, Ethics, Teacher Role, Online Courses, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education |
| Geographic Terms: | Rhode Island |
| ISSN: | 0748-5786 |
| Abstract: | Research methods education in LIS master's degree programs is facing several difficult questions: should a methods course be required, what content should be taught in that course, and what is the most effective mechanism for teaching that content. There is little consensus about what should be taught or how, but the American Library Association, LIS educators, and many practitioners seem to agree that research methods are vital skills for 21st century LIS practitioners. This paper reports on an experiential learning opportunity called the "unClassroom," which afforded LIS master's students the chance to complete a research project in one semester for an outside client (a statewide library consortium). The effectiveness of the unClassroom to teach research methods surpassed expectations and provides a model that may be of interest to other research methods educators in LIS master's programs. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 25 |
| Entry Date: | 2017 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1159389 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Research methods education in LIS master's degree programs is facing several difficult questions: should a methods course be required, what content should be taught in that course, and what is the most effective mechanism for teaching that content. There is little consensus about what should be taught or how, but the American Library Association, LIS educators, and many practitioners seem to agree that research methods are vital skills for 21st century LIS practitioners. This paper reports on an experiential learning opportunity called the "unClassroom," which afforded LIS master's students the chance to complete a research project in one semester for an outside client (a statewide library consortium). The effectiveness of the unClassroom to teach research methods surpassed expectations and provides a model that may be of interest to other research methods educators in LIS master's programs. |
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| ISSN: | 0748-5786 |
