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Faculty and librarians spice-up instruction.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

in a general science education course, Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants, taught at a research university, librarians and the professor worked to incorporate information literacy (library research skills) tips, resources, assignments and evaluative criteria into the class material. This article details the collaboration process employed between the faculty member and the librarians to enhance the learning process. A specific example of a collaborative effort and a framework for replicating the learning model used are also outlined.

Introduction

Promoting information literacy is an important step in fostering the critical thinking skills and advancing the research level of students. An effective way to do this is for faculty and librarians to work together to tie these standards to concrete course objectives and to involve librarians in the research assignments and even in the week-to-week assignments of subject specific courses. By introducing library information literacy skills early in their college career students will be able to build on those skills throughout their college career and subsequent life's work.

Description of the Course and Students

Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants (HSMP) is a general education science class offered through the Plant and Soil Sciences Department at our institution. This introductory course on the production, history, and use of medicinal and aromatic plants involves the use of the library by class members. Students do in-depth research on the myth, tradition, and science associated with the plants; examining old herbals, modern scientific journals, and current lay periodicals, books, and websites for information on specific herbs and groups of herbs. In the class, students learn to raise herbs from the seed to harvest including the history, botany, and chemistry of the plants. Students have readings provided by the professor, which are augmented by research. They learn to identify approximately 50 herbs plus how these are used or misused, the post-harvest products made from the herbs and how to advertise, present, package and market products made with the herbs. As part of the class assignment, each student does library research to support a project to be presented in a class-sponsored, community-wide HerbFest each spring. During HerbFest, the student, using the information learned and gathered from library resources, displays a final project to the University community and the public, ranging from elementary school children to senior citizens. Projects require considerable library research. Students are required to produce brochures about their herbs including bibliographies, recipes, and historical information, growing information, and/or instructions for use of cosmetic or medicinal products.

Why Integrate Library Skills Into A General Science Class?

During conversations with students and faculty, our librarians often hear the fallacy that...

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