3. “A mental model of a dynamic system is a
relatively enduring and accessible, but
limited, internal conceptual representation of
an external system whose structure maintains
the perceived structures of that system”
Westbrook, 565
Anxiety…library anxiety…what is your experience? We also have to factor in technology anxiety…how do we make the library a better place for students? How can you empower users?Put yourself in their shoes…remember the anxiety you have when you are starting something new…multiply that by the assignment plus library anxiety the students are facing…The book mentions a connection between critical thinking and library anxiety…how can we instill critical thinking through the IL curriculum?
So what does this mean?I think about Google…my internal representation of a “search” is a “Google search”….really easy….Models explores concepts…they may not be logical Our mental models are also socially constructed…by what we have experienced…we have all experienced databases and google…maybe others have not…
Concept mapping…how do we understand information? How do we get from point a to point b? How do we help student overcome their preconceived ideas of the library? The book mentions that a student thought “RM” stood for room…The idea of cognitive overload…too much learning by doing…how do we get around this? (making the IL instruction relevant to the student’s course – relevant to them in the moment)
Using analogies…the research analogy on pg 76 of your text…What are some analogies you can think of?Why is this important?
What does all of this have to do with teaching?Critical thinking,Active learning,What about from our past readings?
