Your Name and Title:

Dr. Kim Becnel
Assistant Professor of Library Science
Department of Leadership and Educational Studies
Appalachian State University

School, or Organization Name:

Appalachian State University

Co-Presenter Name(s):

Dr. Nita J. Matzen, Assistant Professor
Library Science Program Director
Department of Leadership and Educational Studies
Appalachian State University

Dr. Robin A. Moeller
Assistant Professor of Library Science
Department of Leadership and Educational Studies
Appalachian State University

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: United States--North Carolina

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s):

Instructors of Library Science courses, particularly Reference or Information Sources and Services courses

Short Session Description (one line):

The speakers will demonstrate how their newly designed Information Sources and Services course prepares Library Science graduates for the real world of reference work through role-playing scenarios conducted in a 3-D, virtual, immersive environment.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

Nita Matzen and Kim Becnel, from Appalachian State University, will demonstrate how their newly designed Information Sources and Services course, required of students pursuing MLS degrees, prepares graduates for the real world of reference work through strategic and extended role-playing scenarios that require participants to use their newly-acquired patron interview skills and information search and retrieval skills simultaneously. The learning activities, conducted online in a 3-D, virtual, immersive environment with distance librarians serving as mentors, give students a deeper understanding of the many factors involved in successful reference interactions, whether conducted in person or virtually. Matzen and Becnel’s colleague, Robin Moeller, will describe changes made to the learning activities in the second offering of the redesigned course based on the feedback of the librarian mentors.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

http://les.appstate.edu/programs/library-science