Field+Service+Reflections

Manhattanville College Librarian / Instructor: Paula Moskowitz Hours: 5
 * 10/05/2010**

Today was my first day at Manhattanville College. I began by meeting Mrs. Moskowitz at the reference desk who then took me on a tour of Manhattanville libraries introducing me to the library director and other key staff members. We then went into Mrs. Moskowitz's office and discussed the methods of teaching that an Academic Librarian usually employs. We discussed LIS 1001: Information Literacy, which was the course that I would be co-teaching. She provided me with a syllabus of the course and today's lesson outline. We went down to the library classroom and found many students waiting for us. This was a great feeling to see the students smile and anxious about learning. Today, the students were learning to evaluate critical sources and distinguish between scholarly and non-scholarly. I was introduced to the class as they were told that I was their to co-teach the lesson and if they had any questions to please ask me. I found that I loved the interaction between myself and the student, but more important gaining the ability to see results as the students learn; something that one could not get providing answers at the reference desk.

In the afternoon Mrs. Moskowitz and I discussed how the morning went and what would go on in the afternoon. We were going to be teaching the same course, but the students were in an English class. Just as the morning went so did the afternoon. I was able to give knowledge to students, teach them what I have already learned and how I learned it. Today was an exciting day.

Manhattanville College Librarian / Instructor: Paula Moskowitz Hours: 5
 * 10/12/2010**

Today, Mrs. Moskowitz and I again discussed the different methods of teaching. We spoke about how important it was that students make a connection with the work. We also spoke of the importance of letting students become engaged by never telling them they were wrong with and answer, but rather, try to draw better answers out of them. We also spoke of the importance of keeping track of students work to ensure that you have not lost them with your lecture. Mrs. Moskowitz and I co-taught and had a great deal of fun doing it. She is a very lovely person who allowed me into the teaching world of academics.

Manhattanville College Librarian / Instructor: Maureen Kindillen Hours: 5
 * 10/13/2010**

Today, I worked with Mrs. Kindillen who is an academic librarian with many years of experience. She and I began by discussing my goals as a librarian and what the future may hold for me. She felt that I would be a great fit in academic libraries due to what she has heard from Mrs. Moskowitz. Ms. Kindillen had provided me with a copy of the syllabus that she was using for both courses that we would teach today. The courses were for first year business students who needed library research skills. She and I went down to the library class room and set up. She then introduced me to the students. The class began with me asking them a question about good or bad sources that related to business. We were trying to gauge the students understanding of sources. The students were asked to find one good source online. They were give ten minutes. The class then shared resources and discussed what they found. For the remainder of the class they were allowed to work on their final projects. Overall, this experience was great. I was given more teaching time and the ability to see a different professor teach.

Manhattanville College Librarian / Instructor: Paula Moskowitz Hours: 5
 * 10/19/2010**

Today, I was working with Mrs. Moskowitz who began discussing what is essential when teaching. She and I went over how best to outline what is going to be taught. She provided me with some resources and websites to find information. Today, we would be teaching two classes that consisted of freshman who were required to take a one credit course as part of the Manhattanville curriculum. Most of the students were very young and seemed to be a bit lackadaisical about library instruction. I had realized that Mrs. Moskowitz had influenced the students a bit with our passion for libraries. I found that the most important lesson that the students could take away is that the library is a house of information and librarian the provider of this knowledge. The library is a place where the student can seek help on any subject and find any answer and ensure that the information is good rather then Google. Today, was a fun day. I was also able to observe some of the reference librarians work during Mrs. Moskowitz's lunchtime.

Manhattanville College Librarian / Instructor: Maureen Kindillen Hours: 5
 * 10/20/2010**

Today, was the last of my field services which was a great learning experience. I worked with Mrs. Kindillen and her two classes. She and I co-taught both classes. Both classes focused on their final project which was to select a corporation and do a power-point presentation. The were to select resources that were peer-reviewed and properly cite them. The students were also required to cite any other relevant information they found for their project. We wrapped up the class as the students were allowed to complete the project at home. I was taken around to say good buy and found that I really enjoyed myself during my experiences.