AALLSpectrum ENGAGE! THE NEXT-GEN OF ONLINE INSTRUCTION
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
AALLSpectrum
MARCH/APRIL 2020 / VOLUME 24, NUMBER 4
ENGAGE!
THE NEXT-GEN
OF ONLINE
INSTRUCTION
EVER CURRENT
Asking for directions
has never been easier
Make PLI your trusted partner
Find your way with PLI PLUS, our award-winning online research tool,
and gain access to Practising Law Institute’s exhaustive collection of
expert scholarship.
From authoritative mainstays cited by courts throughout the country to
novel observations on breaking news and emerging trends, staying
current is even easier with a PLI PLUS Membership — no matter where
your research takes you.
• Instant access to all PLI PRESS titles
• Easy-to-use, customizable search capabilities
• Seamless access to primary sources through FastCase
• Automation made easy with MARC record standardization
Sign up for a free two-week trial:
pli.edu/pliplustrial
EDITOR’S NOTE
EDUCATION
& THE NEXT
FRONTIER
A s law libraries continue to be transformed from a physical “space” to a “service,”
as our budgets increasingly support an online digital footprint, and as the law-
yers, judges and students we support are now armed with sophisticated smart
technology, it should come as no surprise that legal instruction for lawyers,
judges, and students is also moving to an online environment.
With an ever-increasing number of faster-
growing domestic and global law firms—at my
firm, for example, we now have over 800 law-
yers in 10 international offices—it is no longer
Keeping with the topic of enhancing edu-
cation, this issue also provides an article on cre-
ating screencasting videos that engage viewers.
At law firms and law schools alike, screencasts
cost-effective to provide traditional in-person present law librarians with an opportunity to
instruction. Instead, our knowledge manage- provide direct instruction to users, making learn-
ment (KM) services department, comprised ing much more flexible and convenient for those
of almost 20 law librarians in various offices, who wish to learn at their own pace or on their
provides online instruction via live videocon- own schedule.
ferencing software (GoToMeeting, an online As we enter a new decade in which new tech-
webinar platform), as well as Windows Remote nologies will continue to advance at exponential
Assistance software, enabling law librarians to rates and digital natives will demand online
conduct one-on-one point-of-need training. instruction as the “new normal,” law librarians
These sessions can also be recorded and added will be expected to become proficient, if not
to the firm’s Desktop Learning Management expert, at providing online instruction. It is not
System, enabling lawyers to view recordings of too late to make your New Year’s resolution to
live online instruction. embrace online instruction and learn the under-
Most experienced classroom instructors will lying technology that supports it. Carpe diem!
confess that online instruction is challenging,
as it can be a difficult transition from tradi-
tional classroom to online instruction. Luckily,
the authors of our AALL Spectrum cover story
“Engage! The Next-Gen of Online Instruction”
advise librarians to learn new strategies to “cre-
ate sustained engagement with students and
attorneys in their online courses and instruc-
tion,” and provide best practices to keep your Steven A. Lastres
audience engaged. salastres@debevoise.com
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 1
INSIDE
MARCH/APRIL 2020
12
Keeping students and attorneys engaged in online courses.
BoK DOMAINS KEY
Professionalism +
Leadership At Every Level
FEATURES
Research + Analysis
12 20
Information Management ENGAGE! THE NEXT-GEN OF DISCOVERING DIAMONDS IN
Teaching + Training ONLINE INSTRUCTION YOUR SURVEY DATA
Marketing + Outreach Strategies for librarians seeking to Understanding and implementing best prac-
Management + Business create sustained engagement with tices in survey creation that yields better
Acumen
students and attorneys in their online data for more insightful decision-making.
courses and instruction. BY JESSICA DE PERIO WITTMAN
BY AMY LIPFORD & KATHRYN CRANDALL & KATIE BROWN
16 BUILDING STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH 23 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
CREATING SCREENCASTING
COLLABORATION BETWEEN VIDEOS THAT ENGAGE VIEWERS
LAW LIBRARIES A how-to guide for incorporating screen-
Tips on networking, methods of collaborat- casting videos into your lessons.
Image © Istockphoto.com/Jacek Kita
ing, and overcoming the obstacles to form- BY ALISA HOLAHAN, JOE NOEL & LEI ZHANG
ing dynamic partnerships.
BY LINDSEY CARPINO, ANNIE MENTKOWSKI
& CLANITRA STEWART NEJDL IN EVERY ISSUE
Editor’s Note 1
President’s Message 5
Wild Card 52
2 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORG
30 38 43 50
Ask a Colleague AALL 2020 Vendor Voice Reference Desk
UP FRONT TECHNOLOGY
7 TRENDING
Tracking the numbers—and hot topics—
33 TALKING TECH
Breaking down the similarities and
for AALL’s educational offerings. differences between TPACK and SAMR.
BY PATRICK PARSONS
8 MEMBER PROFILE
Meet Michael McHenry, director of
research & knowledge services at Vinson
& Elkins LLP in Houston, Texas. EDUCATION
10 NEWS & NOTES
AALL Spectrum & Law Library Journal 38 2020 AALL ANNUAL MEETING:
Editorial Board call for volunteers, and
UNMASKING OUR POTENTIAL
A peek inside AALL’s premier educational
important 2020 dates.
event, July 11-14, 2020 in New Orleans.
11 SHELF LIFE
What book has had the greatest impact
in helping you develop strategic working
relationships? BUSINESS EDGE
43 VENDOR VOICE
LEADERSHIP The inside scoop on the new LexisNexis
digital library.
26 LEADER PROFILE
Beth Williams discusses innovation, her
46 PRACTICAL COMPETITIVE
INTELLIGENCE
experience at AALL’s Innovation Bootcamp, How to create special purpose CI reports
and the evolution of law librarianship. t at provide insig t l ans ers to specific
questions.
BY KEVIN MILES
30 ASK A COLLEAGUE
ie nnovation ficer titles in
la firms ave ecome t e latest posi-
tions to be added to the C-Suite. Please
50 REFERENCE DESK
Tackling public speaking.
e plain o r ie nnovation ficer BY DOLLY M. KNIGHT, MARIBEL
role it in o r organi ation and NASH & SCOTT VANDERLIN
how innovation factors in. Advice from
Catherine Monte and Gina Lynch.
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 3
AALLSpectrum
105 West Adams Street, Suite 3300, Chicago, Illinois 60603 This publication is provided for informational and educational purposes only.
www.aallnet.org | 312.939.4764
The American Association of Law Libraries does not assume, and expressly
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR disclaims, any responsibility for the statements advanced by the contributors
Vani Ungapen to, and the advertisers in, the Association’s publication. Editorial views do not
EDITOR necessaril represent t e o ficial position o t e ssociation or o its o ficers,
Steven A. Lastres
directors, staff, or representatives. All advertising copy is subject to editorial
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS approval. The Association does not endorse or make any guarantee with re-
Heather Haemker
spect to any products or services mentioned or advertised in the publication.
COPY EDITOR
Timothy Johnson
All content copyright 2020 by the American Association of Law Libraries, except
DESIGN
Feldcomm
where otherwise expressly indicated. Except where otherwise express-
ly provided, the author of each item in this issue has granted permission for
AALL SPECTRUM EDITORIAL BOARD
Kristina J. Alayan • Cynthia L. Brown • Tina S. Ching •
copies of that item to be made for classroom use or for any other educational
li a et arrell li ord laine gan arin o nsr d im a er p rpose, provided t at copies are distri ted at or elo cost, a t or
and AALL Spectrum are identified, and proper notice o cop rig t is a fi ed
AALL EXECUTIVE BOARD LEADERSHIP
to each copy. For items in which it holds copyright, the American Association
Michelle Cosby, President
Emily R. Florio, Vice President
of Law Libraries grants permission for copies to be made for classroom
Cornell H. Winston, Treasurer use or for any other educational purpose under the same conditions.
Luis Acosta, Secretary
ADVERTISING
Bill Spilman | Innovative Media Solutions
309.483.6467 | bill@innovativemediasolutions.com
SUBSCRIBE
AALL Spectrum is a enefit o mem ers ip in t e merican ssociation o
Law Libraries. Nonmembers may subscribe to AALL Spectrum for $75 per year.
PUBLICATION
AALL Spectrum is p lis ed si times per ear t e
American Association of Law Libraries. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, Illinois, and
additional mailing o fices end address c anges to
AALL Spectrum, 105 W. Adams St. Ste. 3300, Chicago, IL 60603-6225.
RETIRING?
CONTINUE YOUR LEGACY & SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE
BECOME A SUSTAINING MEMBER
KNOW
If retirement is in your near future,
future and you want to stay SOMEONE
connected to your friends and colleagues as well as the ABOUT TO RETIRE?
legal community, consider the AALL Sustaining Member The Sustaining
option. For a one-time renewal rate of $425* continue Member benefit
en o ing all t e enefits o mem ers ip makes a great
retirement gift!
• Networking
• Publications
• Leadership Opportunities DID YOU KNOW?
• Advocacy AALL’s Encore Caucus
was created as a way for retired
members to continue to collaborate
with members of the legal informa-
* Does not include SIS memberships tion profession, share common inter-
ests, and further personal and
professional activities.
Learn more at
bit.ly/AALLencore.
learn more at
bit.ly/AALLsustainingmember
4 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORG
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
EMPOWER
YOURSELF
I
AALL Publications, Programs, and Meetings
am truly excited for you to read this issue of AALL Spectrum, as education is one of my
favorite topics. For law librarians, education can refer to several types of formal and
informal learning and teaching activities, including self-improvement, professional
development, and patron instruction.
By educating ourselves about the newest tools, can help us build strong relationships that can
technologies, pedagogical approaches, and continue to grow in value. The article “Building
strategies, we not only become better librarians, Strategic Partnerships Through Collaboration
but also better teachers, which in turn helps us Between Law Libraries” discusses the value in
to better empower our patrons for the rapidly collaboration and provides examples of collabora-
changing world we all live in. Along those lines, tion by library type.
if you are interested in educating yourself or your Legal information professionals tend to be
stakeholders about your patrons’ needs, demo- knowledge seekers, and continuing education can
graphics, or user-satisfaction levels, I encourage feed that need. If you are looking for continuing
you to read “Discovering Diamonds in Your education opportunities, AALL will be hosting
Survey Data” by Jessica De Perio Wittman and the Competitive Intelligence (CI) Strategies &
Katie Brown. The article provides several tips Analysis program May 7-8 in Chicago, Illinois.
for creating a robust survey that produces quality This course is for those interested in expanding
results. In addition to offering general guidance the CI offerings of their library. CI Strategist
on survey creating, the article also covers issues Zena Applebaum will educate participants on
you may not necessarily think are important to several topics, including framing CI reporting,
survey creation, such as developing strong rela- communicating results, and the role of data and
tionships through collaboration. data visualization. Similarly, I encourage you to
Amy Lipford and Kathryn Crandall’s article register for the 2020 AALL Annual Meeting in
“Engage: The Next-Gen of Online Instruction” New Orleans, Louisiana. From Saturday work-
is a great read for anyone looking to create shops to a myriad of program offerings, you are
engagement with their audience in an online sure to find something of interest to attend.
setting. Similarly, this issue also offers tips from I hope you find this issue of AALL Spectrum as
Alisa Holahan, Joe Noel, and Lei Zhang on cre- informative as I do, and that it inspires you take
ating engaging videos for library users (“Lights, advantage of the many educational resources that
Camera, Action! Creating Screencasting Videos AALL offers.
that Engage Others”).
Aligning with AALL’s 2019-2022 strategic
plan pillar of Alliances, this issue has a wonderful
article on how law libraries can build strategic Michelle Cosby
partnerships. Collaboration and networking michelle.cosby@temple.edu
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 5
MEMBER-GET-A-MEMBER PROGRAM
ENRICH OTHERS + ENRICH YOURSELF
We are stronger, smarter, and more successful together.
Invite your peers, colleagues, and staff to join AALL through
t e em er et a em er rogram
or eac mem er recr ited receive
› ma on gi t card
ter t ree mem ers recr ited, receive
› A MGAM lapel pin
ll recr iters receive e site recognition
› MGAM Leaderboard
› My Communities MGAM digital badge
learn more at bit.ly/AALL-mgam
6 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORG
UP FRONT
TRENDING
AALL EDUCATION
66
ANNUAL MEETING
The legal information world is constantly
changing, and it’s crucial to stay
abreast of the latest developments
and technological innovations Average number of programs
that shape the way you
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
227
work within your
organi ation ne
way to stay ahead
Fellows and counting
is through quality
continued pro- MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
336
fessional
education.
AALL is the Attendees and counting
premiere
resource for CONFERENCE OF NEWER
2,048
LAW LIBRARIANS (CONELL)
continuing
education,
offering quality
programming, webi- Attendees since 2004
nars, and special events designed
exclusively for law librarians and TOP 2019 ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAMS*
legal information professionals. ¡ New Metrics for Measuring ¡ A Peek Behind the
c olarl mpact a Curtain of the U.S. Code
Librarians, HeinOnline, and ¡ eep ive e ederal
U.S. News & World Report and State Court Analytics
¡ no t sed to e ere Market—Should the Buyer
Using Web Archives in Beware? What’s on the
1,061
Legal Research ori on
PEOPLE ¡ Assessing Legal Research ¡ Finding a Needle in a
AT T E N D E D A A L L ompetenc ridging t e tac o eedles est
WEBINARS Gap between Law School Practices for Alerts
IN 2019 and Practice ¡ ngr , ngr pos
¡ o ore it ess Designing Raw Materials
Image © iStockphoto.com/gothappy
or place ficienc ools for Problem-Based
TOP WEBINARS* Instruction
¡ o atc a ie o t e
1. rom onversation to onversion etting a ers to se e ools Librarians and Archivists ¡ Cool Tools Café
2. n one an e a eader ven ose it o t ct al t orit at the Folger Shakespeare
View the recordings at
Library Masterminded the
3. Inside the State of the Profession bit.ly/AM19Recordings.
Recovery of the Durham
First Folio
View all of AALL’s webinars at bit.ly/AALL2gowebinars. *Ranked by attendance
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 7
UP FRONT
MEMBER PROFILE
VANTAGE
POINT
MICHAEL McHENRY
3 DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & KNOWLEDGE
SERVICES
3 VINSON & ELKINS LLP
3 HOUSTON, TX
WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST? Seeing people working IF YOU COULD BE
together for a common, worthy goal. Whether it be ANY CHARACTER
after Hurricane Harvey or just in a normal work sit- IN FICTION, WHO
uation, I love being a part of a team that sees some- WOULD YOU BE?
thing that needs to be done and tackles it with fervor. Indiana Jones—
traveling the world
looking for historical
objects. I already
hate snakes, so I’m
really halfway there.
IF YOU WROTE AN
AUTOBIOGRAPHY,
WHAT WOULD ITS TITLE
BE AND WHY?
Watch Your Head: The Trials
and Travails of Being Super
Tall m ere s a
lot of ducking in my life.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST
ACHIEVEMENT AND HOW HAS IT
SHAPED YOU? I met a beautiful
and awesome law librarian at the
2008 AALL Annual Meeting and
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION? It’s fairly low-key, convinced her to marry me.
but we go camping with a few families two to three
times a ear in im erle , e as t s asi r stic tent
Photo © 2020 by AALL
camping, t also electricit and an o tdoor s o er ,
but 15 minutes from an artsy town with great restau-
rants. It’s very peaceful—even with our group’s 10-plus
kids running around in the woods.
8 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORGBECOME
A CHAMPION
FOR THE
PROFESSION
& FOR AALL
THE AALL CHAMPION
MEMBERSHIP UPGRADE
You are committed to the legal profession and
the Association. With your $75 upgrade, when
joining or renewing, receive:
RECOGNITION AS AN AALL CHAMPION
Your name listed on the AALL website
A My Communities badge
AALL Annual Meeting*
Listed in Awards Brochure
Listed on signage
Slide during Association Luncheon
AALL Annual Meeting badge ribbon
Listed in AALL Spectrum once a year
ALSO RECEIVE
Complimentary AALL member pin
Complimentary ticket to AALL Annual
Meeting Association Luncheon [$45 value]
at the AALL Annual Meeting
*Members who upgrade before June 12, 2020, will receive
2020 AALL Annual Meeting recognition, a complimentary
Association Luncheon ticket, and will be listed in the
September/October 2021 issue of AALL Spectrum.
learn more at bit.ly/AALLchampion
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 9UP FRONT
NEWS & NOTES
Volunteer for the AALL Spectrum & Law Library Journal Editorial Boards Today
Ensure your peers get the perspective job description and the Law Library
and insights they need to stay ahead of Journal Editorial Board Member AALLSpectrum
the curve. AALL Spectrum—our bimonthly
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 / VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1
job description before applying. For
member magazine, and Law Library more information visit the AALL DATA-DRIVEN
Journal—the official journal of AALL— Spectrum Editorial Board profile at LEGAL
SERVICES
provide scholarly articles on law, legal bit.ly/Specboard and the Law Library NEW ROLES FOR INFORMATION
PROFESSIONALS
ORMA
ORMATION
innovation, technology, and librarianship. Journal Editorial Board profile at bit.ly/
LLJboard on AALLNET.
We Need You!
AALL is seeking applicants to serve
on the 2020-2022 AALL Spectrum Please consider lending your
Editorial Board, and the 2020-2022 Law time and talent to AALL—submit
Library Journal Editorial Board. your application by Tuesday,
Please read through the AALL March 24, 2020. View the
Spectrum Editorial Board Member application at bit.ly/Pubsapp.
2020 CALENDAR
VIEW MORE UPCOMING EVENTS AT APRIL 08 Virginia Association of Law Libraries
bit.ly/AALLevents Annual Meeting, Williamsburg, VA
01 AALL Annual Meeting grant
applications due 12 Atlanta Law Libraries Association
MARCH Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA
AALL Research Grant 16 AALL/LexisNexis Call for Papers
01 AALL/LexisNexis Call for Papers applications due ard s missions d e st dent
ard s missions d e open, ne AALL Scholarship Program division
mem er, and s ort divisions applications d e or 21 Chicago Association of Law Libraries
06-07 Southern California Association
¡ AALL Educational Scholarship Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL
of Law Libraries 48th Annual
Institute, San Diego, CA ¡ George A. Strait Minority 27 Law Librarians of Puget Sound
Scholarship & Fellowship Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA
AALL Winter Finance & Budget
Committee Meeting, Chicago, IL ¡ LexisNexis John R. Johnson
JUNE
Memorial Scholarship
10 “Combining Internal and External
Data Sources to Improve Firm’s ¡ Marcia J. Koslov Scholarship 11 British & Irish Association of Law
er ormance omson e ters 02-03 AALL Executive Board Libraries Meeting, North Yorkshire,
artner e inar Spring Meeting, Chicago, IL England
20 AALL/Bloomberg Law Continuing 16-18 Southeastern Chapter of the JULY
Education Grants proposal due American Association of Law
Northern California Association Libraries Annual Meeting, 09-10 AALL Executive Board
of Law Libraries Spring Institute, Jackson, MS Summer Meeting, New Orleans, LA
Davis, CA 23 “Effective Leadership with Virtual
11-14 113th AALL Annual Meeting
25 AALL @ Legal Marketing eams o nfinit and e ond
& Conference, New Orleans, LA
Association Annual Conference, e inar
Denver, CO 24 AALL Spectrum & Law Library
••••
“Using Cognitive Theory to Boost Journal Editorial Board
application deadline QUICK LINKS
Long-Term Retention of Legal
esearc ills e inar 29 AALL Connection AALL ANNUAL MEETING
bit.ly/AALL2020
26 Southwestern Association of Law MAY AALL COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE
Libraries Annual Meeting, San STRATEGIES & ANALYSIS
Antonio, TX 07-08 AALL Competitive Intelligence bit.ly/AALLci2
27-28 AALL 2020 Leadership Strategies & Analysis, AALL SCHOLARSHIPS
Academy, Oak Brook, IL Chicago, IL bit.ly/AALL-scholarships
10 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORGSHELF LIFE
RELATIONSHIP RECS
What book has had the greatest impact in helping you develop strategic working relationships?
1 2 3 4
GOOD BOSS, BAD BOSS: STEEL MAGIC; THE GIFT DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICAL SIX THINKING HATS by
HOW TO BE THE BEST... OF FEAR; BOSSYPANTS TECHNIQUES FOR d ard e ono ittle,
AND LEARN FROM THE t first glance, t e t ree LIBRARIANS, 2ND ro n ompan ,
WORST by Robert I. Sutton books I credit with teaching EDITION by Arthur W. Hafner “I was introduced to this book
siness l s, arc , me to build strategic relation- merican i rar ssociation, by Tracy Thompson, who at the
is oo is a great ships seem odd choices. Steel arc , ne o m time was the executive director
read for anyone looking to build Magic ndre orton imon biggest challenges is commu- of NELLCO. Often, when deal-
and strengthen working rela- lse, g st , is a nicating data in a way that is ing with others, our emotions,
tions ips t distills scientific middle-grade fantasy. The Gift easily understood. This book outside information, logic, hope,
research and practical sense of Fear: Survival Signals That walks the reader through the etc., all invade our thoughts,
into basic principles for how to Protect Us from Violence by Gavin process of compiling data, which can lead to confusion.
change the emotional tone of a de ec er ell, a , creating algorithms, and trans- In Six Thinking Hats, De Bono
workspace to one of positivity is sed among ot er t ings to lating the results into easily takes the things that crowd our
and productivity. Simple tips train law enforcement profes- understood charts and tables. thoughts and separates them
include actively listening to sionals. Bossypants by Tina Fey Using this book, I discovered into six categories and assigns
your co-workers, having strong ac a oo s, an ar , ways of working with practice a colored hat to represent each
opinions but weakly held beliefs, is an entertaining iogra- gro ps, t e finance team, and category. By doing so, you can
being willing to admit your own phy. But all three books empha- the marketing team to commu- separate your thoughts into the
faults, and confronting problems si e recogni ing and tr sting nicate important information different categories and deal
directly, quickly, and with hon- your strengths, your intuition, in a quick, easy-to-understand with each emotion or idea at
esty. While there is no formulaic, and yourself. When you do that, format. I use chapter 4 on the appropriate time. This has
one si e fits all sol tion to it’s easier to accept the qualities tables and charts nearly every been profoundly helpful as I
becoming a great leader, this that others bring to the table. day, which helps me to clearly have progressed in my career
Image © iStockPhoto.com/Kadirkaba/SurfUpVector/Enis Aksoy
book is for anyone who wants to That leads to more productive communicate my ideas without and have had to communicate
tr to e etter colla orations getting bogged down in reams with my library staff, the law
Camilla Tubbs; Associate Dean for Carol Ottolenghi; Director of Library of data. Applying the skills school faculty, and other law
Library and Technology; University of Services; Ohio Attorney General’s Office; detailed in this book provides library directors. It has made
California; Hastings College of the Law Columbus, OH tangible evidence of my value it easier for me to understand
Library; San Francisco, CA to these groups as a source my emotions and the emotions
and partner others bring to the table. This
Mark Gediman; Reference Librarian; has improved my relationships
Alston & Bird LLP; Los Angeles, CA and has made it easier for me
to deal—at the appropriate time
and in the appropriate way—
it an iss es t at arise
Christine Dulac; Law Library Director;
Donald L. Garbrecht Law Library;
University of Maine School of Law;
Portland, ME
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 11ENGAGE! THE NEXT-GEN OF ONLINE INSTRUCTION BY AMY LIPFORD & KATHRYN CRANDALL 12 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORG
Strategies for librarians
seeking to create
sustained engagement
with students and
attorneys in their online
courses and instruction.
O
nline learning, the
final frontier. Whether
instructing an attorney
or student, all librarians
are faced with the chal-
lenge of keeping their
audience engaged. This is especially
true in the online learning environ-
ment. However, keeping the “on” in
online engagement doesn’t have to
be as taxing as originally thought. By
understanding various learning styles,
structuring content to meet learner
needs, utilizing opportunities to create
engaging material, and implementing
techniques to encourage participation,
sustained engagement has become an
essential component of the next gen-
eration of online course development
and instruction.
Who Are You Engaging?
There is no standard definition of a
learning style. According to an article
by Susan A. Santo, “Relationships
between Learning Styles and Online
Learning: Myth or Reality?” scholars
struggle with differentiating between a
person’s preference in how they learn
versus the manner in which they learn
best. While instructing adult learn-
ers, instructors will find a spectrum
of learning behaviors that comprise
a course’s student population. One
method to define the various types
of online learners is the Grasha-
Riechmann Student Learning Style
Scales. Each of the styles identified in
the Grasha-Riechmann model presents
its own opportunities and challenges in
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 13can be consistent with the actual learn-
ing styles of the students.”
Schellens and Valcke determined
learning styles based on the following
dimensions:
3 Auditory vs. Visual. Students with
an auditory style prefer learning by
listening; students with a visual style
prefer learning through reading text
or looking at diagrams.
3 Applied vs. Conceptual. Students
with an applied style prefer learning
through examples and cases; students
with a conceptual style prefer con-
cepts and theories.
3 Spatial vs. Non-spatial. Students with
a spatial style prefer learning in con-
text; students with a non-spatial style
DIGITAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
are more abstract in their preferences.
3 Social vs. Individual. Students with a
social style prefer teamwork; students
with an individual style prefer work-
¡ Adobe Creative Cloud ¡ Moovly
ing alone.
bit.ly/MA20Adobe bit.ly/MA20Moovly
¡ Adobe Spark ¡ Piktochart 3 Creative vs. Pragmatic. Students
bit.ly/MA20Spark bit.ly/MA20Piktochart with a creative style prefer using their
¡ Camtasia ¡ PowToon creativity to solve elaborate problems;
bit.ly/MA20Camtasia bit.ly/MA20Pow students with a pragmatic style prefer
¡ Canva ¡ re i to work on simpler problems.
bit.ly/MA20Canva it l / re i
¡ Google Slides ¡ SlideDog
How Are You Engaging?
bit.ly/MA20Google bit.ly/MA20Slide
To maximize online engagement for the
¡ Haiku Deck ¡ Tableau
bit.ly/MA20Haiku bit.ly/MA20Tableau various learning styles, there are several
best practices. First, online learning
should be adjusted based on students’
needs and wants. One of the benefits
of using an online discussion board
early on in a classroom setting is that it
an online setting. According to Grasha- 3 Collaborative. This learner works well helps you discover what your learners
Riechmann, there are six primary with others and enjoys group work. need. When teaching a course, this is
learning styles: easily done by adjusting assignments
3 Competitive. This learner tries to do based on student interests. In a firm
3 Participant. This learner is eager to better than others in the course. setting, examples in video recordings
take part in course content and asks
and trainings can be selected based on
questions.
When most people refer to learning the types of research questions typically
3 Avoidant. This learner does as little styles, they are usually referring to visual asked. An instructor can arrange assign-
work as possible or waits until the last vs. auditory learning or applied vs. ments to compliment different styles
Image © Istockphoto.com/Jacek Kita
minute. conceptual learning. Another model, of learning. For example, to accom-
the Schellens and Valcke Learning modate collaborative learners, create a
3 Independent. This learner prefers to
Styles, encompasses these more com- discussion board that requires student
work independently and makes few
monly referred to learning styles and engagement with another student’s
requests for help.
explains how they relate to one another. answer. Assign short-answer quizzes for
3 Dependent. This learner needs Schellens and Valcke contend that “the those independent learners who want
detailed instructions and lots of help. demands of the learning environment to apply the skills they have learned.
14 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORGPost videos where learners are walked
through the various approaches to a
research problem. There are a number of technologies that make creating engaging
Another way to encourage engage- online materials easier. The most important factor is to use the
ment with online materials is to give resources that are available to you. For example, green screen
clear goals, both regarding anticipated software allows you to record lectures and add visuals (e.g., charts
completion time required and learning and graphs) to the background later, in a manner similar to how
outcomes for the materials. For online
courses, having a to-do list each week
weather forecasters present their reports on TV.
with learning objectives is extremely
helpful. Students can work at their own
pace, checking off each required read-
ing, video, and assignment, as they com- improvement. Because face-to-face understand your audience and their
plete them. For online video instruction, interaction is limited in most online various learning styles, creating different
having a road map of the materials cov- learning situations, providing timely instruction techniques will make every-
ered at the beginning will set the user feedback is a way for the user to feel one’s online learning experience richer
up for success. Make sure to couple this the instructor is engaged with their and more productive. Now go forth and
road map with short videos, no more work. Often feedback will spark related make it so!
than 20 minutes each, to ensure users questions or concerns that can also be
stay focused. A busy online learner is addressed. Based on our experience, we Teaching + Training
more likely to complete materials if the have found having multiple avenues of
length of the material is known and the communication can help with different
learner can split the work up into multi- READ
users’ needs. For example, a combi-
Taryn Marks and Rachel Licona’s
ple sessions as needed. nation of emails, phone calls, video
article “Enhancing the Online Learning
There are a number of technologies conferencing, discussion board posts, nvironment, rom t e arc / pril
that make creating engaging online assignment feedback, and recorded 2018 issue of AALL Spectrum at
materials easier. The most important video announcements can be used to bit.ly/MA18online.
factor is to use the resources that are communicate ideas. This is particularly
Rebecca S. Trammell’s article “Improving
available to you. For example, green helpful when learners are scattered t dent tcomes in nline earning,
screen software allows you to record geographically and subject to various from the March/April 2018 issue of AALL
lectures and add visuals (e.g., charts extraordinary circumstances, such as Spectrum at bit.ly/MA18outcomes.
and graphs) to the background later, natural disasters. These extenuating
in a manner similar to how weather circumstances can make one form of
forecasters present their reports on TV. communication preferable over another.
© 2020 BY AMY LIPFORD
Websites such as Lynda.com provide
tutorials for learning software, such Tying It All Together
as Camtasia, which is a video-editing The last step is really the first step.
program that improves and enhances Evaluate methods and structures
online lectures. Regardless of the for- employed for the eLearning environ-
AMY LIPFORD
mat used, establish a basic technology ment. Create surveys before giving ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR
competency requirement for your instruction to create a baseline. What RESOURCES
eLearners. To accomplish this, create skill levels do they have with technol- Florida State University
College of Law Research Center
assignments or how-to quick-start ogy? What is their preferred learning Tallahassee, FL
guides so learners have the basic skills method? What do they expect to get alipford@law.fsu.edu
required for viewing and interacting out of these trainings? After the instruc-
with your online materials. tion is complete, survey your audience
© 2020 BY KATHRYN CRANDALL
again to find out what worked and
Providing Meaningful Feedback what didn’t. If they didn’t understand a
After users engage with your materials, concept, find out why. Academic librar-
providing them with quick and respon- ian instructors should use both formal
sive communication is key. By being student evaluations and optional eval- KATHRYN CRANDALL
responsive both in communications as uations, such as an informal discussion ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR
well as feedback, students will be more board, where students are asked what OUTREACH
engaged. Particularly in a classroom Florida State University
concepts worked best and why. Learn College of Law Research Center
setting, students want to know how from the learners so you can continue Tallahassee, FL
they did and where there is room for to improve created content. Once you kcrandall@law.fsu.edu
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 15BUILDING STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS
THROUGH
COLLABORATION
BETWEEN
LAW LIBRARIES
BY LINDSEY CARPINO, ANNIE MENTKOWSKI & CLANITRA STEWART NEJDL
16 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORGTips on networking,
methods of collaborating,
and overcoming the
obstacles to forming
dynamic partnerships.
“C
ollaboration” and Secondly, collaboration is a major
“partnership” benefit to our institutions and orga-
are two words nizations because it can result in
that most of us saving money and resources through
hear on a regular cost-sharing, which in turn allows for
basis. It has almost more services to be provided.
become a truism that it is important to Thirdly, collaborative partnerships
collaborate with others to succeed pro- help foster good relationships with other
fessionally. However, as law librarians entities that may prove important to our
and legal information professionals, it is employer institutions and organizations
incumbent upon us to actively embrace in the future.
collaboration and form strategic part- Finally, collaboration is a boon to
nerships with other law libraries. our profession because it improves the
skills of the individual law librarians
Why Collaborate? and legal information professionals
First, collaboration is a significant way involved and leads to the creation of
to provide additional benefits and ser- best practices that can be shared across
vices to our end users, be they judges, the profession. It is also worth noting
attorneys, students, faculty, or members that the American Association of Law
of the public. Not only do collaborative Libraries (AALL) Body of Knowledge
partnerships maximize the resources (BoK) specifically encourages partner-
available for services to these users, but ship and collaboration in the domains
they also allow for faster, more efficient of Professionalism + Leadership at
service and the potential for creating Every Level, Marketing + Outreach,
more unique and innovative services. and Management + Business Acumen.
Examples of such innovative services
could include embedding an academic Networking
law librarian in a public law library to You cannot have a meaningful discus-
improve access to justice, or creating an sion about building strategic partner-
advanced legal research course that has ships without talking about networking.
an experiential component that takes However, it is critical to think about net-
place in a law firm under the guidance working in a new light and push your-
of a law firm librarian. self outside of your typical networks. It
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 17is not unusual to take a siloed approach
to networking by only networking in
your established communities (e.g.,
attending continuing education events
that only apply to your current role, only
attending events were you already know
most of the attendees, etc.). However,
the siloed approach, while convenient
and comfortable, may not yield the best
results for dynamic partnership building.
To really stretch yourself profession-
ally and grow a diverse network takes
some thought and planning. Below is a
short list of suggestions for improving
your networking skills.
3 Take advantage of social media plat-
forms such as Meetup and seek out
like-minded librarian groups in other
disciplines.
3 Reach out to the alumni association at
your alma mater.
3 Attend webinars and conferences
hosted by AALL chapters or groups of
which you are not already a member.
3 Get involved with your local bar or
other professional association.
AALL MY COMMUNITIES If you are willing to push yourself out-
side your established network of law
librarians, the possibilities for collabora-
tion are infinite.
One very simple step you can take to build
Collaboration Methods
your professional network is to update your AALL
Once you identify strategic partners
omm nities profile through networking, you’ll find that
there are endless methods for collabora-
tion. For example:
as added t ree ne sections to t e omm nities mem er profile
Government Law Libraries
3 Areas of Expertise currently includes 23 topic areas
Government law librarians may
3 Speak On Areas of Expertise is where you can state whether you would be willing consider:
to speak on the areas of expertise you selected
3 Providing tips or strategies for regula-
3 Teach Areas of Expertise is where you can state whether you would be willing to tory or legislative history research to
teach within these areas incoming clerks or to new associates at
law firms.
e s re to eep o r omm nities profile c rrent oing so can elp o find
Image © Istockphoto.com/metamorworks
potential partners and elp ot ers find o en t e are loo ing or spea ers or Law Schools and Academic
additions to their professional networks. Organizations
Academic law librarians may consider:
Update your profile at bit.ly/AALLMyCommunities
3 Introducing graduating law students
to law firm or government librarians,
thereby helping students build import-
ant professional connections;
18 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORG3 Hosting or sponsoring a “Bridge
the Gap” program with a law firm
library; Unfortunately, barriers to collaboration may come up from time to time.
3 Offering a professional development
These tend to fall into two categories: administrative and practical.
program or workshop for law students
and alumni; and
3 Providing trainings related to access regard to this last barrier, remember ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
to justice. that lack of financial resources is a com- Visit Teaching Legal Research: A
mon condition among all types of law Collaboration in My Communities at bit.ly/
Law Firms libraries and that there may be grants AALLMyCommTLR to share information,
Law firm librarians may consider: strategies, and resources to help law
or other funding sources available
students and new attorneys build solid
3 Guest lecturing in local law school depending on the type of collaborative legal research skills. This group is open to
legal research courses to share best project being developed. As part of the all la li rarians academic, private, and
practices for new associates. process, it is well worth investigating the government
availability of such sources as additional
Public Libraries and Institutions ways to fund the partnership.
Public libraries may consider: It is important to acknowledge
© 2020 BY LINDSEY CARPINO
potential barriers early in the process,
3 Expanding access to resources because if they are anticipated at the
3 Providing CLE (continuing legal outset they will be easier to eliminate.
education) programs Our best advice is to be realistic but
resolute. Do not give up unnecessarily,
LINDSEY CARPINO
3 Hosting law-related book clubs because the benefits of collaboration LEGAL CONTENT SERVICES
3 Collaborating on community can far outweigh the efforts. SUPERVISOR
BakerHostetler
resources such as law-related online Chicago, IL
guides Onward to Success lcarpino@bakerlaw.com
Even though we may think of our own
areas of law librarianship as distinct,
Additionally, all types of legal infor-
© 2020 BY ANNIE MENTKOWSKI
all law librarians and legal information
mation professionals may consider professionals are facing similar con-
resource-sharing and serving as contacts cerns. Shrinking budgets, collection
for interlibrary loan needs. Other pos- reductions, security concerns, vendor
sibilities include collaborating on grant negotiations, and the overall need to
applications to develop library out- ANNIE MENTKOWSKI
“do more with less” pervade our pro- AGENCY LIBRARIAN
reach and programming, and working fessional lives. If we can look at the United States Railroad
together on technology-related efforts bigger picture of law librarianship as a Retirement Board
such as the digitization of resources. Chicago, IL
whole, we can work together and share annie.mentkowski@rrb.gov
Remember, collaborating on small our unique perspectives on how our
projects can lead to big opportunities similar challenges can be overcome.
for greater collaboration.
© 2020 BY CLANITRA STEWART NEJDL
Continuing to network and to collab-
orate with colleagues in our own orga-
Overcoming Barriers to nizations and at other organizations
Collaboration will be critical to our own success, the
Unfortunately, barriers to collaboration success of our organizations, and the
may come up from time to time. These CLANITRA STEWART NEJDL
success of our profession. RESEARCH SERVICES LIBRARIAN
barriers tend to fall into two categories: AND LECTURER IN LAW
administrative and practical. Alyne Queener Massey Law Library
Teaching + Training
Administrative barriers can include Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
difficulties getting buy-in from senior clanitra.s.nejdl@vanderbilt.edu
AALL2go EXTRA
leadership, IT restrictions, and other
Listen to the 2019 AALL Annual Meeting
rules and regulations, such as licensing program ilding trategic artners ips
restrictions. Using Outreach Between Academic,
Practical barriers can include lack Government, and Law Firm Libraries
of time, fear of failure, and, most com- to a imi e al e, at
monly, lack of financial resources. In bit.ly/AM19Partnerships.
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 19DISCOVERING DIAMONDS IN YOUR
SURVEY DATA
L
Understanding and ibrary surveys enable us to open up a dialogue with our patron base
implementing best practices in order to uncover areas of improvement and to facilitate a better
user experience for all of our patrons. Traditional survey creation
in survey creation that
has innate challenges, such as asking the right questions, properly
yields better data for more coding the data, and addressing the proper audience. All of these
insightful decision-making. challenges must be considered when drafting and designing surveys
BY JESSICA DE PERIO WITTMAN to ensure the collection of useful data for outcome-driven decision-making
& KATIE BROWN at your library. Additionally, librarians can also redesign their own or other
open-sourced surveys to enable library administration to plan for, manage, and
achieve outcomes that will drive future services, initiatives, and programs aimed
at improving the entire institution.
Step 1: Identify Your Survey Goals
Libraries typically develop surveys for three reasons: to assess user satisfaction with
place or services, to identify users’ needs, and to gauge the reception of future ser-
vices. A fourth potential reason for survey development is to gather demographic
information about the library’s users.
20 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORGTraditional surveys have been used
to collect data that often confirms what
is already known. We, the authors of Quantitative data is not necessarily more valuable than qualitative
this article, assert that an effective survey data, but analyzing qualitative data creates more work. Most
will collect data from outcome-based qualitative data comes from open-ended comment fields, and the
questions from which answers are not data only becomes valuable once those comments are coded.
already known.
Step 2: Select a Measurement Tool
Once a survey goal has been identified, 3 Longitudinal Study: Unlike a and written down with numbers. In
librarians must determine the most cross-sectional survey, this survey col- contrast, qualitative data is defined as
appropriate measurement or survey tool. lects data to make inferences about a information that is non-numerical in
There are a myriad of tools to choose sample population over time. The key nature. It approximates and charac-
from, ranging from awareness surveys to to longitudinal studies is surveying the terizes, but does not measure the attri-
satisfaction surveys, the traditional sur- same sample population several times butes, characteristics, or properties of a
vey form used by most libraries. over a period of time. thing or phenomenon. Some librarians
Below is a brief description of each have argued that our profession relies
3 Perception Survey: This survey is
tool. too heavily on quantitative surveys and
most often used when one is trying
that librarians should explore quali-
3 Awareness Survey: Measures the to find out how patrons understand
tative methods, such as focus groups,
extent to which patrons are familiar or feel about their situations or envi-
interviews, observational studies,
with your product or service. Is your ronments. It is used to assess needs,
rubrics, and other tools.
library the first thing that comes to answer questions, solve problems,
While there is a place for qualita-
mind when someone wants that prod- establish baselines, analyze trends,
tive data, it is oftentimes anecdotal
uct or service? For example, will stu- and select goals.
in nature and difficult to use in deci-
dents think of consulting a reference
3 Post-Mortem Surveys: Also called a sion-making. Quantitative data is not
librarian for research help or will they
post-mortem review, this survey pro- necessarily more valuable than qualita-
consult Google? Awareness surveys
vides an opportunity for librarians to tive data, but analyzing qualitative data
usually require two measurements:
reflect on a project after it concludes. creates more work. Most qualitative
recall, which is your patrons’ ability
Librarians develop a list of lessons data comes from open-ended comment
to remember your product or service
learned so mistakes are not repeated. fields, and the data only becomes valu-
without help, and recognition, which is
Reflections can also celebrate and able once those comments are coded.
your patrons’ ability to recognize your
highlight the successes of a project. The data will not have any conclusive
product or service among a list of
meaning without coding.
alternatives. 3 Questionnaire: A set of printed or
written questions with a choice of
3 Cross-Sectional Survey: Collects data Step 3a: If Using Qualitative Data,
answers, devised for the purposes of a
to make inferences about a sample Don’t Forget to Code It
statistical study.
population at a specific point in time. Qualitative data provides value for
Additionally, it also collects data about 3 Satisfaction Survey: The most cur- decision-making once the data is coded.
a specific product, service, or decision. rently used form of library survey, Coding is a process that enables librar-
A fresh sample of people are surveyed it is designed to determine what the ians to identify and define concepts
each time the product, service, or library is doing well in its users’ opin- that categorize the data and facilitate
decision is implemented or altered. ions and identify areas that can be analysis. For example, if temperature
For example, changes in the research improved. control is a known concern in the
training curriculum may be made library, and the survey does not address
Image © Istockphoto.com/metamorworks
based on results collected after every Step 3: Determine If Qualitative or it specifically, feedback about tempera-
research training session. Quantitative Data Is Needed to Make ture control might be assigned a lower
Your Decision numerical value than a previously
3 Interview: Also called face-to-face Most survey questions are designed so unknown concern.
surveys, these are used when a specific that the answers can be easily quantified Coding open-ended comments can
target population has been identified and descriptive statistical results can be be revealing, but it is laborious and
to best provide deeper and more qual- presented. Quantitative data is defined often uncovers statistically insignificant
itative information. as information that can be measured data points. There may not be enough
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 21time to code the data properly to ana- understand that either a positive or a Library surveys not only enable us
lyze the results, and there may not be negative answer is equally acceptable. to open up a dialogue with our patron
enough library or institutional resources Effective survey questions and answers base, but they also enable us to facilitate
to act on the analysis in a timely man- should be randomized if there is a a better user experience with other
ner. As a result, librarians should limit possibility of order bias. To get sensitive stakeholders. Challenges, such as a
the number of survey questions that information, librarians should consider lack of patron empathy, bias, and mis-
include open-ended responses. disguising the question, shifting focus identifying the survey audience, must
If the survey demands a significant away from the respondent, softening the be tackled when drafting and design-
number of open-ended responses, question, or collecting correlated data. ing surveys. Using the processes and
librarians must consider other data For example, instead of asking patrons methods outlined above, librarians can
collection tools that are appropriate, whether they want 24-hour access, you create effective surveys from scratch or
including focus groups and interviews. could frame the question to collect data redesign already existing questionnaires
on what times patrons would most likely that will result in outcome-driven deci-
Step 3b: Quantitative Data Is Already use or visit the library. sion-making at their law library.
Coded—Proceed to Step 4
Quantitative data is analyzed more Challenge 3: Identify the Proper Teaching + Training
readily, lending itself to speedier deci- Audience Marketing + Outreach
sion-making. Remember that survey A survey can be a powerful instrument
research is not about the individual for gathering information from large AALL2go EXTRA
response; it is about the aggregate. populations, but it may have more value Listen to the 2016 AALL Annual Meeting
Using the temperature control with questions written to address a spe- program “How Are We Doing? Using
example above, responses may be set cific population or need. For example, Outcomes Assessment to Improve
to a Likert or rating scale. Each value a survey that assesses how international egal esearc nstr ction, at it l /
in the Likert scale is associated with students are using the library should AM16Assessment.
a number. This enables the library only be sent to international students.
to quickly assess the importance, for After drafting a set of questions,
© 2020 BY JESSICA DE PERIO WITTMAN
example, of whether to make a decision librarians need to ask whether the
about temperature control needs. survey is relevant to at least 20 percent
of the target population. If not, then
Step 4: Tackle the Innate Challenges the audience for the survey needs to be
of Survey Design redefined, or the questions need to be JESSICA DE PERIO WITTMAN
Listed below are the most common redrafted. Likewise, 100 percent of the DIRECTOR OF THE LAW LIBRARY
challenges in survey design. questions should be easy to understand ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF LAW
University of Connecticut
by the intended audience, and the School of Law Library
Challenge 1: Even Agents of Change questions should be rigorously tested for Hartford, CT
Can Lack Patron Empathy clarity to eliminate library jargon. For jessica.deperio@uconn.edu
Empathy is defined as the ability to example, “check out materials” may be
understand and appreciate another
© 2020 BY KATIE BROWN
used in lieu of “circulation.”
person’s feelings and experiences.
Librarians should question what infor- Challenge 4: Build Those
mation is lacking about the patron Relationships
experience. Unfortunately, obstacles Library administration must identify
to empathy exist, and often manifest potential collaborators at all levels and KATIE BROWN
in statements such as, “This is the way ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR
manage their expectations when receiv- INFORMATION
we do it.”; “We tried to change that, ing unintended outcomes from these RESOURCES
and it didn’t work.”; “If people would surveys. This is especially important Charleston School of Law
just…”; and “I know this is compli- Charleston, SC
when library space is used for more than kbrown@charlestonlaw.edu
cated, but. …” just books and library staff. Libraries
now have cafes or other eateries and
Challenge 2: Everyone Has Bias also hold multiple student-facing depart-
Bias introduces ideas or opinions into ments, such as Information Technology
questions that will influence responses. Services, Student Affairs, the Registrar,
Librarians should ensure that question Business Office, Financial Aid, etc. All
order does not influence a certain type parties must be willing to listen to and
of response. Similarly, answer order address unintended or unfavorable
is important to ensure that patrons outcomes in a timely manner.
22 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORGLIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
CREATING SCREENCASTING
VIDEOS
THAT ENGAGE
VIEWERS
T
A how-to guide for oday, it is widely accepted that instructional videos provide
many benefits over live instruction, including allowing people
incorporating screencasting
to learn at their own pace, on their own schedule, and from
videos into your lessons. wherever they choose. A common technique for producing
BY ALISA HOLAHAN, instructional videos is screencasting, a process that allows
JOE NOEL & LEI ZHANG people to record what is happening on their computer screens
and turn it into videos. Screencasting presents law librarians with a valu-
able opportunity to provide direct instruction to users that they can access
freely and flexibly. That said, many law librarians may find that developing
a screencast series for the first time is a daunting task. We at the Tarlton
Law Library should know: we recently completed our first screencasting
MARCH/APRIL 2020 | AALL SPECTRUM 23popping noise from pronouncing p’s
and b’s.
Script and Storyboard
One of the most helpful tools in the
video creation process is a script.
Having a script facilitates a smooth,
ACCESSIBILITY
professional presentation and allows
RESOURCES the narrator to focus on the nuances
of presentation, such as pace and tone.
Preparing a storyboard may also be
ollo ing are five reso rces or more in dept reading on t e topic helpful. A storyboard is a sequence of
¡ san ltme er and ei ang, n ancing nstr ction reating ig alit simple visual representations (e.g., draw-
nteractive ideos, AALL Spectrum, ol , o arc / pril ings or sketches) of the video’s content,
bit.ly/MA17videos accompanied by other useful informa-
¡ at c roc s ide to ver t ing, creencasting in t e lassroom tion, such as the text or dialogue that
bit.ly/MA20Guide will accompany the video.
¡ TechSmith website, TechSmith Blog.
bit.ly/MA20TechSmith Length
Videos should be short to maintain
¡ stin artin illiams, oo ing essons and egal esearc reating and
ntegrating nstr ctional ideos into egal esearc raining, AALL Spectrum,
viewers’ attention, with longer presen-
ol , o l tations divided into segments. If videos
bit.ly/J13Williams are too long, you risk having the viewer
¡ World Wide Web Consortium, “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
tune out, or worse, not bothering to
vervie start the video in the first place. Tarlton
bit.ly/MA20WCAG librarians opted to break the content
of a 30-minute in-person training into
a series of modules, with each module
running less than 10 minutes.
Recording
series. This article provides guidance to has extensive editing features. Tarlton Video and audio may be recorded
law librarians interested in incorporat- librarians plan to continue creating separately or simultaneously. It can be
ing the production of screencasts into screencast videos, making the additional helpful to record images and audio sep-
their instructional activities. cost worthwhile. arately and synch them during editing
so you can focus on each aspect indi-
Preparation Equipment vidually. While a soundproof recording
The first step in creating screencasting A library can create a polished and space and room enhancements such
videos is making preliminary decisions, engaging video with only a modest as acoustic foam are ideal, a quality
including choosing the right software, investment in recording equipment. recording can be achieved in an imper-
figuring out what equipment is nec- One of the most important pieces of fect environment by using a reliable
essary, developing the content of the equipment is a good quality micro- microphone and recording when it is
videos, and determining the length. phone. Fortunately, an affordable quiet. Perfecting an audio recording
USB desktop microphone can vastly often requires multiple takes. Strive
Software improve a video’s audio quality over for clear audio, with varied pitch and
Numerous free and low-cost soft- that of a computer’s microphone. a steady, moderate speed. Recording
ware options are available for cre- Tarlton purchased the Blue Snowball on-screen content also requires plan-
ating screencast videos, including iCE condenser microphone, a popular ning and rehearsal—mastering the
Screencast-O-Matic, TechSmith’s USB desktop microphone available at a choreography of your on-screen naviga-
Snagit, and Apowersoft’s Screen reasonable price, with a cardioid (heart- tion and your text and voice instruction
Recorder. There are also a number of shaped) pickup pattern that works well take time to perfect.
more expensive tools, such as Adobe for recording single-direction sound.
Captivate, TechSmith’s Camtasia, Other hardware to consider includes Editing
and Telestream’s ScreenFlow (Macs headphones and a pop filter, which is Editing will likely be the most time-
only). At Tarlton, we use Camtasia, a nylon or mesh filter that reduces the consuming aspect of a screencast-
which is straightforward to learn and hissing noise associated with s’s and the ing project. Typical editing activities
24 AALL SPECTRUM | WWW.AALLNET.ORGYou can also read
