Train the Teacher: Practical guidance for effective, critical teaching approaches for science and data librarians

Abstract

This article describes an approach to guiding science and data librarians in their development as teachers, and it outlines practical skills that are important for effective teaching in the context of science information and data literacies. The authors designed and delivered two workshops for science and data librarians. In each workshop, participants explored foundational learning theories and practical tools for teaching more effectively, including lesson planning, writing learning outcomes, designing classroom activities, assessing learning, managing the classroom, and reflecting on teaching. The workshop has evolved to introduce critical pedagogical approaches as well. Based on the content of these workshops, participant feedback, and the authors’ experiences, we detail practical, on-the-ground strategies for designing and facilitating effective information and data literacy instruction for STEM audiences. As partners in science education, librarians need practical educational opportunities to hone their teaching skills and develop a teacher identity.