Creating Interactive Online Instruction: The McGoogan Library Experience

Abstract

Online instruction is a hot topic at academic medical centers. Seizing the opportunity to join the online movement at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), the McGoogan Library created an open access course made up of six learning modules. The modules addressed three issues: 1) supplementing one-shot library instruction, 2) offering opportunity for instruction when a librarian is not embedded in a course, and 3) showcasing the library as an online instruction supporter. This article discusses the planning process, technology used, how the modules were received, and how this initial project increased McGoogan Library's involvement in the UNMC online movement.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic health sciences libraries
• online instruction
• open access courses
• role of librarians

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge the McGoogan Library leadership for their work on and support of this project: Emily McElroy, MLS, Director; Marie Reidelbach, MLS, Professor Emerita; Heather Brown, MA, Head of Collection Development; and Roxanne Cox, MLS, Head of Education & Research Services.

This article is based on a poster presented at the annual meeting of the Medical Library Association, Chicago, IL, May 18, 2014.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Teresa L. Hartman

Teresa L. Hartman, MLS ([email protected]) is Education & Research Services Librarian, and Alissa V. Fial, MA, MLIS ([email protected]) is Education & Research Services Librarian, Supervisor, Circulation Services; both at McGoogan Library of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6705.