Reflective Teaching, Effective Learning

June 1, 2011

Booth (e-learning librarian, Univ. of California, Berkeley; Informing Innovation) has developed an instructional design framework, USER (Understand, Structure, Engage, Reflect), for library educators. First she offers an overview of the components of instructional literacy, including teaching effectiveness, metacognition, reflective practice, learning and instructional theory, teaching technology, creating learning objects, and instructional design. Next comes a detailed presentation of an instructional design framework based on the USER method. In contrast to having to learn "in the trenches" how to teach, as Booth did, her USER method is an action-oriented, reflective practice for improving your teaching during the planning, teaching, and outcomes assessment process. Booth has put together an impressive body of knowledge on learning and instructional theory and practice. This book is packed with practical tips for teaching library instruction, with just enough of an overview of learning and instructional theory to provide an underpinning for instructional design. She provides references for a deeper exploration of instructional design and theory and templates for instructional planning, a glossary of terms, and a categorized "recommended reading" section. VERDICT Recommended for academic librarian educators but also useful for school and public librarians who teach or train.--Robert L. Battenfeld, Long Island Univ. Lib., Brookville, NY

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.