Rethinking handouts for library instruction sessions: They’re not as bad as you’ve been told...

Rethinking handouts for Rethinking handouts for library instruction sessions:library instruction sessions:

They’re not as bad They’re not as bad as you’ve been toldas you’ve been told

John HickokJohn HickokInstruction/Outreach LibrarianInstruction/Outreach Librarian

CSU FullertonCSU Fullertonhttp://users.library.fullerton.edu/jhickok/conferences.htmhttp://users.library.fullerton.edu/jhickok/conferences.htm

Today’s presentationToday’s presentation

1.1. Why handouts have a bad rap Why handouts have a bad rap 7min.7min.

2.2. A rebuttal to the bad rap A rebuttal to the bad rap 7min.7min.

3.3. are tools for active-learning are tools for active-learning 10min.10min.

4.4. can be green-friendly! can be green-friendly! 10min.10min.

5.5. have advantages over e-guides have advantages over e-guides 10min.10min.

6.6. Effective design principles Effective design principles 10min.10min.

7.7. Q&A Q&A 5min.5min.

Learning objectivesLearning objectives

1.1. IdentifyIdentify why handouts have a bad rap why handouts have a bad rap

2.2. IdentifyIdentify rebuttals to these bad raps rebuttals to these bad raps

3.3. ExplainExplain how handouts help in active-learning how handouts help in active-learning

4.4. ListList ways handouts can be green-friendly! ways handouts can be green-friendly!

5.5. StateState an advantage handouts have over e-guides an advantage handouts have over e-guides

6.6. RecognizeRecognize effective design principles effective design principles

Participants will be able to…

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

A.A. Considered old fashionedConsidered old fashioned

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

A.A. Considered old fashionedConsidered old fashioned

1980s/90s: catalogs & databases were not graphical and required complicated text strings to search…so explanation sheets were needed

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

A.A. Considered old fashionedConsidered old fashioned

1980s/90s: catalogs & databases were not graphical and required complicated text strings to search…so explanation sheets were needed

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

A.A. Considered old fashionedConsidered old fashioned

1980s/90s: catalogs & databases were not graphical and required complicated text strings to search…so explanation sheets were needed

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

A.A. Considered old fashionedConsidered old fashioned

1980s/90s: catalogs & databases were not graphical and required complicated text strings to search…so explanation sheets were needed

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

Today, “paperless”, “save the trees”, “eco-friendly” is the call. Printing is seen as wasteful.

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

Today, “paperless”, “save the trees”, “eco-friendly” is the call. Printing is seen as wasteful.

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

Today, “paperless”, “save the trees”, “eco-friendly” is the call. Printing is seen as wasteful.

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

Today, “paperless”, “save the trees”, “eco-friendly” is the call. Printing is seen as wasteful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=refJmQhLvBs

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

C.C. No longer needed due to e-guidesNo longer needed due to e-guides

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

C.C. No longer needed due to e-guidesNo longer needed due to e-guides

Academic libraries everywhere now have former handouts on their websites as e-guides

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

C.C. No longer needed due to e-guidesNo longer needed due to e-guides

Academic libraries everywhere now have former handouts on their websites as e-guides

CSU Fullerton

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

C.C. No longer needed due to e-guidesNo longer needed due to e-guides

Academic libraries everywhere now have former handouts on their websites as e-guides

Pasadena City College

1. Why handouts have a bad rap1. Why handouts have a bad rap

C.C. No longer needed due to e-guidesNo longer needed due to e-guides

Academic libraries everywhere now have former handouts on their websites as e-guides

UCI

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

A.A. Old fashionedOld fashioned

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

A.A. Old fashionedOld fashioned

Yes, newer catalogs/databases are more graphical & user-friendly….but GUI-ier interfaces do not automatically ensure adequate Info. Literacy.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

A.A. Old fashionedOld fashioned

Yes, newer catalogs/databases are more graphical & user-friendly….but GUI-ier interfaces do not automatically ensure adequate Info. Literacy.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

A.A. Old fashionedOld fashioned

Yes, newer catalogs/databases are more graphical & user-friendly….but GUI-ier interfaces do not automatically ensure adequate Info. Literacy.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

B.B. Not green-friendlyNot green-friendly

Responsiblesustainable use

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

C.C. No longer needed, due to e-guidesNo longer needed, due to e-guides

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

C.C. No longer needed, due to e-guidesNo longer needed, due to e-guides

While e-guides are great, they put all the responsibility of understanding/deciphering solely on the student…without live, human explanation.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

C.C. No longer needed, due to e-guidesNo longer needed, due to e-guides

While e-guides are great, they put all the responsibility of understanding/deciphering solely on the student…without live, human explanation.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

C.C. No longer needed, due to e-guidesNo longer needed, due to e-guides

While e-guides are great, they put all the responsibility of understanding/deciphering solely on the student…without live, human explanation.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

C.C. No longer needed, due to e-guidesNo longer needed, due to e-guides

While e-guides are great, they put all the responsibility of understanding/deciphering solely on the student…without live, human explanation.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

C.C. No longer needed, due to e-guidesNo longer needed, due to e-guides

While e-guides are great, they put all the responsibility of understanding/deciphering solely on the student…without live, human explanation.

2. A rebuttal to the bad rap2. A rebuttal to the bad rap

C.C. No longer needed, due to e-guidesNo longer needed, due to e-guides

While e-guides are great, they put all the responsibility of understanding/deciphering solely on the student…without live, human explanation.

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Handouts provide a means for hands-on Handouts provide a means for hands-on participatory, experiential learningparticipatory, experiential learning

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Handouts provide a means for hands-on Handouts provide a means for hands-on participatory, experiential learningparticipatory, experiential learning

Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)Psychologist

Students learn most effectively experientially—interacting in their learning environment.

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Handouts provide a means for hands-on Handouts provide a means for hands-on participatory, experiential learningparticipatory, experiential learning

Jean Piaget (1896-1980)Psychologist

Students learn best in interactive environments, and draw from others’ influence/guidance.

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Handouts provide a means for hands-on Handouts provide a means for hands-on participatory, experiential learningparticipatory, experiential learning

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Handouts provide a means for hands-on Handouts provide a means for hands-on participatory, experiential learningparticipatory, experiential learning

• Too Textual

• No visuals

• No invitation to participate

• Aesthetically: boring

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Handouts provide a means for hands-on Handouts provide a means for hands-on participatory, experiential learningparticipatory, experiential learning

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Handouts provide a means for hands-on Handouts provide a means for hands-on participatory, experiential learningparticipatory, experiential learning

• Text, but paced

• Screenshot visuals

• Invited participation box

• Aesthetically: bullets, graphics

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Another example: handout invoking experiential Another example: handout invoking experiential learning among international students.learning among international students.

3. are tools for active learning3. are tools for active learning

Another example: handout invoking experiential Another example: handout invoking experiential learning among international students.learning among international students.

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

Let’s start with examples of abuse that give Let’s start with examples of abuse that give handouts a bad name:handouts a bad name:

Little/no content usingLittle/no content usingan entire pagean entire page

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

Let’s start with examples of abuse that give Let’s start with examples of abuse that give handouts a bad name:handouts a bad name:

Little/no content usingLittle/no content usingan entire pagean entire page

Only using one sideOnly using one side

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

Let’s start with examples of abuse that give Let’s start with examples of abuse that give handouts a bad name:handouts a bad name:

Little/no content usingLittle/no content usingan entire pagean entire page

Only using one sideOnly using one side A hanging paragraph A hanging paragraph

taking an entire pagetaking an entire page

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

Let’s start with examples of abuse that give Let’s start with examples of abuse that give handouts a bad name:handouts a bad name:

Little/no content usingLittle/no content usingan entire pagean entire page

Only using one sideOnly using one side A hanging paragraph A hanging paragraph

taking an entire pagetaking an entire page Giving out nearly fullGiving out nearly full

course-pack as a handoutcourse-pack as a handout

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

Let’s start with examples of abuse that give Let’s start with examples of abuse that give handouts a bad name:handouts a bad name:

Little/no content usingLittle/no content usingan entire pagean entire page

Only using one sideOnly using one side A hanging paragraph A hanging paragraph

taking an entire pagetaking an entire page Giving out nearly fullGiving out nearly full

course-pack as a handoutcourse-pack as a handout Libraries using 0% Libraries using 0%

recycled paperrecycled paper

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendlyWork with your library Work with your library

or university’s purchasingor university’s purchasing

officers to investigate officers to investigate

100% recycled paper.100% recycled paper.

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendlyWork with your library Work with your library

or university’s purchasingor university’s purchasing

officers to investigate officers to investigate

100% recycled paper.100% recycled paper.

Yes, it is more expensive,Yes, it is more expensive,

but there are strategies youbut there are strategies you

can take:can take: 100% just for instruction100% just for instruction Consortium bulk buyingConsortium bulk buying Searching 100% vendorsSearching 100% vendors

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

www.conservatree.org lists 100% paper products and vendors

4. can be green-friendly4. can be green-friendly

And the best way to employ handouts and be And the best way to employ handouts and be green: post your handout on your homepage, green: post your handout on your homepage, LIVE, as you teach, and offer students with mobile LIVE, as you teach, and offer students with mobile devices the option of using the e-handout instead devices the option of using the e-handout instead

Poll the class before running the copiesPoll the class before running the copies Post the handout as a write-on-able documentPost the handout as a write-on-able document

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide unparalleled access to instructions & information! unparalleled access to instructions & information!

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide unparalleled access to instructions & information! unparalleled access to instructions & information! But… they have drawbacks.But… they have drawbacks.

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide unparalleled access to instructions & information! unparalleled access to instructions & information! But… they have drawbacks.But… they have drawbacks.

Many times they are general guides, not specific to Many times they are general guides, not specific to a students exact assignment or needsa students exact assignment or needs

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide unparalleled access to instructions & information! unparalleled access to instructions & information! But… they have drawbacks.But… they have drawbacks.

Many times they are general guides, not specific to Many times they are general guides, not specific to a students exact assignment or needsa students exact assignment or needs

Even if the e-guide is course-specific, it is Even if the e-guide is course-specific, it is accessed without human interaction, so all the accessed without human interaction, so all the burden of deciphering falls on the studentburden of deciphering falls on the student

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide Yes, e-guides are wonderful. They provide unparalleled access to instructions & information! unparalleled access to instructions & information! But… they have drawbacks.But… they have drawbacks.

Many times they are general guides, not specific to Many times they are general guides, not specific to a students exact assignment or needsa students exact assignment or needs

Even if the e-guide is course-specific, it is Even if the e-guide is course-specific, it is accessed without human interaction, so all the accessed without human interaction, so all the burden of deciphering falls on the studentburden of deciphering falls on the student

They are frequently heavily textual and just They are frequently heavily textual and just “content dissemination”, not participatory“content dissemination”, not participatory

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

CSUFCSUF

Class-Class-specific specific

E-guidesE-guides

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Comm353Comm353

e-guidee-guide

(by John (by John

Hickok)Hickok)

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Yes, has Yes, has some good some good elements elements

(graphical, (graphical, etc.)etc.)

But….But….

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

The in-The in-person person

handout has handout has SOSO many many

more more advantages!advantages!

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Teamwork Teamwork exercises of exercises of

evaluating Ad evaluating Ad websiteswebsites

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Teamwork Teamwork exercises of exercises of

evaluating Ad evaluating Ad websiteswebsites

Step-by-step live Step-by-step live demo’ing of how to demo’ing of how to

dig deep into dig deep into databases for databases for

company brand infocompany brand info

5. have adv’s. over e-guides5. have adv’s. over e-guides

Teamwork Teamwork exercises of exercises of

evaluating Ad evaluating Ad websiteswebsites

Step-by-step live Step-by-step live demo’ing of how to demo’ing of how to

dig deep into dig deep into databases for databases for

company brand infocompany brand info Prompts to apply Prompts to apply

the steps on the the steps on the handout, by handout, by

searching for new searching for new brandsbrands

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

Literature review of “designing handouts for effective learning” yields Literature review of “designing handouts for effective learning” yields works from:works from:

Educators Educators TrainersTrainers Librarians (very little)Librarians (very little)

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

Educators:Educators:

Marla Yoshida (ESL Instructor, UCI Extension)Marla Yoshida (ESL Instructor, UCI Extension)http://yoshidacatesol.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/38693272/Effective%20handouts%20slideshow.pdfhttp://yoshidacatesol.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/38693272/Effective%20handouts%20slideshow.pdfhttp://yoshidacatesol.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/38693257/Effective%20Handouts.PDFhttp://yoshidacatesol.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/38693257/Effective%20Handouts.PDF

Abbie Brown (Instructional Design Ph.D, formerly CSUF)Abbie Brown (Instructional Design Ph.D, formerly CSUF)http://www.mscare.org/cmsc/images/pdf/document_design_brown.pdfhttp://www.mscare.org/cmsc/images/pdf/document_design_brown.pdf

Mary Bucholz (Linguistics Ph.D, UCBerkeley)Mary Bucholz (Linguistics Ph.D, UCBerkeley)http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/faculty/bucholtz/sociocultural/handouttips.htmlhttp://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/faculty/bucholtz/sociocultural/handouttips.html

U. of Minnesota Ctr. for Teaching & LearningU. of Minnesota Ctr. for Teaching & Learninghttp://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/tutorials/powerpoint/handouts/http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/tutorials/powerpoint/handouts/

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

Trainers:Trainers:

Olivia Mitchell (Professional trainer)Olivia Mitchell (Professional trainer)http://www.speakingaboutpresenting.com/delivery/presentation-handouts/http://www.speakingaboutpresenting.com/delivery/presentation-handouts/

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

Librarians:Librarians:

Anna Johnson (Mt.Hood Comm. Coll., Oregon)Anna Johnson (Mt.Hood Comm. Coll., Oregon)http://www.pcc.edu/resources/tlc/cascade/documents/PCCHandouts_handout.pdfhttp://www.pcc.edu/resources/tlc/cascade/documents/PCCHandouts_handout.pdf

U.of Texas Libraries (Librarian tools: creating handouts)U.of Texas Libraries (Librarian tools: creating handouts)http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/instruction/tips/tt/tt_handout.htmlhttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/instruction/tips/tt/tt_handout.html

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

6. Effective Design principles6. Effective Design principles

Common principles among all of them:Common principles among all of them:

ample white spaceample white space

uniformity (font styles, outline)uniformity (font styles, outline)

use of graphics (screenshots, photos, etc.)use of graphics (screenshots, photos, etc.)

infusing active learning (prompts, tasks)infusing active learning (prompts, tasks)

6. Q & A6. Q & A

Thank you!Thank you!

© 2012 John Hickok © 2012 John Hickok Duplication or distribution by consent onlyDuplication or distribution by consent only

jhickok@fullerton.edujhickok@fullerton.edu