About

LALI helps librarians and archivists develop and refine their skills as learner-centered teachers, instructional designers, and collaborators by introducing them to the practice of active learning pedagogy—that is, pedagogy in which students are made active collaborators in the common endeavor of research instruction. During LALI, participants will experience what it is like to be students in an active learning environment, in that the facilitators not only “talk the talk” but also “walk the walk” of active learning. The facilitators design each multi-day institute around active learning principles and the LALI learning outcomes. Participants learn by doing and by reflecting, together, on what they have done.

We embrace three simple principles of student-centered learning: MEET. ENGAGE. REFLECT.

• Meet students where they are

• Engage students actively in the process of teaching and learning

• Encourage students to reflect upon and to articulate their learning process.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of participating in LALI, participants will:

• Experience and reflect on active learning pedagogy and practice;
• Explore methods for assessing students’ learning and their existing research competencies and habits;
• Strategize ways to work with faculty to craft research instruction with clear and measurable outcomes;
• Determine which active learning methods are most useful in a variety of library instruction scenarios;
• Engage in and discuss techniques for facilitating students’ reflection on their learning.
• Develop specific strategies for how they will incorporate active learning into their teaching.

Who Should Attend

Academic librarians, archivists, and special collections librarians with teaching responsibilities including liaisons, managers, instruction coordinators, and others. Both new and experienced teachers are welcome and will benefit from the experience.