How about:
*"Remember the Gin and Tonic!" : Using Alcohol to Teach Boolean
Searching (May need PC adaptation!)*
http://www.libraryinstruction.com/alcohol.html
And from ICML 2009 the winning poster:
*Poster Number 73 - Boolean hoops - a training tip*
Bronia Renison, Townsville Hospital, Australia
Bronia manages a health library in a large tertiary referral hospital in
North Queensland. She started working in health libraries in 1984, and
has a special interest in evidence based practice.
*Abstract:*
Librarians play a key role in training health workers to search, acquire
and appraise literature. The correct use of Boolean logic enables busy
clinicians to focus their searches and locate the evidence most relevant
to their question. However, some research shows that clinicians may
mistakenly believe they understand how to use Boolean logic. An
alternative method of teaching Boolean logic was explored, to complement
traditional auditory and visual learning styles. There is anecdotal
evidence that demonstrating Boolean logic using hula hoops is an
effective and enduring way to embed understanding.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a participative game to
teach Boolean logic within the context of a training session.
Methods: A short multiple choice test was designed, to assess health
workers’ understanding of Boolean logic. The test is administered to
attendees of training sessions about advanced search techniques. During
the session, participants engage in the game. The same test is
administered at the conclusion of the training session, and a different
version of the test is offered two months following the training.
Results and conclusions: Data collection will continue until early 2009.
Early analysis of test results suggests that the fun approach is
assisting health workers to understand, and retain knowledge about,
Boolean concepts.
Hamilton, Seona wrote:
>
> **Apologies for cross-posting**
>
> We're looking to redesign our group Medline/Cinahl training sessions.
>
> Currently we do a 2.5hr session, with a group of 6 maximum, which
> follows a basic presentation & live search format with a practical
> session afterwards. After noticing that attendees were clearly not
> picking up techniques such as subject heading & keyword searching when
> the presentation covered the whole search in one go, we've broken it
> down into:
>
> Coming up with a question & breaking down into topics, presentation & demo
>
> - practical session
>
> Searching using subject headings
>
> - practical session
>
> Searching using keywords, truncation etc
>
> - practical session
>
> Joining searches using AND/OR
>
> - practical session
>
> Limits
>
> - practical session
>
> etc… and still finding that a significant number of people require a
> great deal of one-to-one help which suggests we're not explaining
> things in a way that everyone can understand.
>
> We're trying to think of more creative ways of getting some of these
> concepts across - maybe getting away from medical terminology and
> using other subjects to explain Subject headings (Chocolate: Cadbury:
> Flake, Dairy Milk, CurlyWurly ?!), and using other techniques - more
> participation, flip charts? Objects, quizzes to a) keep people awake
> b) cater to different learning styles c) get a better idea who
> understands and who needs more help.
>
> We've already decided to make it a 3hr session to give a bit more time
> for discussion and spending longer on what appear to be the most
> difficult concepts. We're also going to strip the session back to the
> basics and offer follow-up training sessions for those who want to
> build on what they've learned, or learn more advanced techniques.
>
> Do you have anything that works well for you? Any ideas? Seen any good
> articles or websites? We could remember a post from a while back
> comparing searching to shopping and will definitely be looking at that
> again.
>
> Will summarise any responses for the list.
>
> Thanks for your help
>
> Seona
>
> *Seona Hamilton
> Specialist Librarian
> Women & Children's Services, Learning Disabilities, North
> Glasgow/Inverclyde CH(C)Ps
> Forrester Cockburn Library
> Yorkhill Hospitals
> Glasgow G3 8SJ*
>
> *Tel: 0141 201 0794 (x80794)
> Fax: 0141 201 9340
> [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> *
>
> /The *NHS Scotland Knowledge Network* (formerly the eLibrary) is now
> live at www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk <http://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/>.
> Ask Library staff for information.//
>
> ///
>
> */Win a/** /£10 Amazon Voucher/* */with/ /Shelf Life/*,* /the
> newsletter of the NHSGGC Library Network/. *
>
> View the latest issue on-line at: Staffnet > Info Centre > Library or:
> *http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/libraryservices* To receive a copy via
> email, please email: *[log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>* **
>
> ****************************************************************************
> NHSGG&C Disclaimer
>
> The information contained within this e-mail and in any attachment is
> confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended
> recipient, please destroy this message, delete any copies held on your
> systems and notify the sender immediately; you should not retain, copy
> or use this e-mail for any purpose, nor disclose all or any part of its
> content to any other person.
>
> All messages passing through this gateway are checked for viruses, but
> we strongly recommend that you check for viruses using your own virus
> scanner as NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde will not take responsibility for
> any damage caused as a result of virus infection.
>
> **************************************************************************
>
--
Andrew Booth BA Dip Lib MSc MCLIP
Reader in Evidence Based Information Practice
Director of Information
School of Health & Related Research (ScHARR)
University of Sheffield, Regent Court,
30 Regent Street, SHEFFIELD,
S1 4DA
Tel: +44(0)114 244 3622
Fax: +44(0)114 272 4095
Email: [log in to unmask]
“First you're an unknown, then you write one book and you move up to obscurity"-- Martin Myers
|
