Week 3, September 12, Learning styles, mental models and cognitive styles, library anxiety and other impediments to learning

The reading of chapter 5 discussed library anxiety at length.  The controlled vocabulary required for searching in catalogs has given way to search engines but this hasn’t solved everything.  Some users are also uncomfortable with technology.  Librarians can help users overcome library anxiety by taking a friendly approach and by using signs, guides, handouts, tutorials, blogs, etc. to offer choices to users in how to research.

In class we discussed the Kolb model that matches learners and methods.  Teachers can find out more about their students with an LSQ or learning style questionnaire but they still must vary their methods for all the different types of learners.  I don’t have any background in the formal methods of teaching and I was surprised at how much thought and preparation needs to go into teaching beyond the subject matter you are trying to teach.   I need to be more willing to try different methods to accomplish teaching goals.