Instruction and Reference

Yesterday, I did both (sort of).

11am-noon, we (the interns) met with Rebecca to continue to refine the instructional plan for COMM 100W. Each intern took of the group assignments, practiced doing it, and then giving a 5 minute presentation at the end as the students would. A general challenge was found in that Ebsco has changed their interface but not completely. So while I was working on the task, I saw the old interface but when I went up to present, I found the new one in replacement. This reminded me that we have to be prepared for the unexpected, such as the databases we intend to use to not be available (this happened the previous week during our meeting). I fumbled with my words and what I was trying to convey, but I think I would have done so anyway. This is an area that I am hoping to improve in: conducting a presentation. I was supposed to be presenting a successful keyword search but I totally blew it. I was not certain what an undergraduate would do, how they would approach the assignment. Rebecca used my calamity to remind us that occasionally students will need help and guidance as they make their presentations.

5-8pm, I sat at the Reference desk. This was for the most part uneventful. I did, again, get to use my Math Department Textbook Coordinator skills in dealing with a question regarding a math textbook. More copier center and card-related questions were encountered.