Using In-class Structured Exercises to Teach SciFinder to Chemistry Students

Abstract

Since 2006 our library has taught chemistry information literacy with a focus on SciFinder. In 2007 the author began a trial of using in-class exercises as a way to reinforce what was demonstrated during the instruction. The exercises were easily adaptable to different areas of chemistry. In 2008, the author began collecting students’ written answers to the exercises at the end of the class and using them as another way to assess the learning and enhance the teaching of SciFinder. These exercises provided the students some individual, hands-on practice with available instructor help and allowed them to ask questions based on what they did. In addition, the instructor used immediate review of the exercises to highlight some points and introduce new ones. Students indicated that they liked the in-class exercises, especially since these allowed them to see if they were able to navigate the database by themselves. This article describes how the exercises were incorporated into teaching sessions, presents sample exercises, and includes assessment data.

Keywords:

• chemistry
• chemical information
• library instruction
• information literacy
• SciFinder
• assessment
• bibliographic instruction
• exercises