Steelcase Active Learning Center Grant: Educational Philosophy

The Newton Gresham Library (NGL), at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), strives to create an environment that supports and enhances the development of critically thinking, lifelong learners through the creation of physical and virtual environments that promote discovery of new knowledge and by continuously improving the effectiveness of its instructional and research services. (Sam Houston State University, n.d.) In 2018, SHSU introduced a new university-wide strategic plan which focuses on supporting the intellectual transformation of students by providing stimulating learning environments and fostering lifelong learning. (“SHSU Strategic Plan 2018,” 2018) SHSU is also undergoing reaccrediation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and will introduce a new five-year (2019-2024) quality enhancement plan (QEP) as a part of that process. The QEP, Active Learning at SHSU, will focus on increasing the use of active learning techniques at all levels and types of coursework by providing professional development opportunities for SHSU instructors. The addition of these two university initiatives has instigated the need to assess and modify how instruction is conducted at NGL.

Currently, research skills and information literacy is primarily taught using instructor-centered, direct instruction (i.e. lecture) in a traditionally designed computer classroom, with large, heavy desks arranged in rows. Receiving the Steelcase Active Learning Center Grant, would provide NGL with a unique opportunity to transform existing library space into a drastically different learning space that will 1) inspire teaching librarians to learn about, adopt, and implement active learning strategies to foster student engagement and increased content knowledge and 2) encourage SHSU student, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders, to see the library as a responsive and transformative space fostering lifelong learning, community-building, and innovation.

The Steelcase Active Learning Center at NGL will serve as a instructional space during typical instruction hours (Mon.- Fri. 8a-5p) to be reserved in advance by teaching librarians and SHSU instructors. Priority will be given to teaching librarians selected for participation in the Grant Team's research, but will be open to other teaching librarians and SHSU instructors as available. This approach will ensure that the flexible learning space is in constant use during the instructional day. It will also function as a workshop space for any instructor experimenting with active learning strategies.  After typical instruction hours (Mon. - Wed. 5p-1a, Thurs. 5p-12a, Fri. 5-6p, Sat. 10a-5p, and Sun. 2p-1a) the Steelcase Active Learning Center will be open to the SHSU community as group study space and reservable for campus events hosted by NGL, SHSU student organizations, or community organizations on a first-come, first-served basis. Welcoming other activities into the flexible learning space enables the SHSU Community to see the library as their space, adaptable to their needs in building community, informal learning, or as a safe environment to be themselves.

Instructor(s) using the active learning center will be selected from the pool of teaching librarians employed by Newton Gresham Library and currently working at the main Huntsville campus.  Interested librarians will be invited to complete an application form via Qualtrics. The application will require interested librarians to 1) identify the number of library instruction sessions they taught in the past year, 2) demonstrate a commitment to enhancing instruction through professional development, 3) express their interest in active learning and 4) describe why they would benefit from participating. They will also be asked in the application to commit to 1) participating in Steelcase's onsite training, 2) teaching approximately 50% of eligible library instruction sessions (sessions with 30 or less students) in the active learning center, and 3) full participation in the grant team’s research project, including 3a) completing pre- and post- surveys, 3b) being observed via video recording and/or in-person observation for four library instruction sessions, two in the traditional classroom and two in the active learning center, and 3c) completion of the Steelcase Education Learning Environment Evaluation measurement tool.

Applications will be accepted in the two months preceding a 16-week semester :Jun/Jul 2019 for Fall 2019, Nov/Dec 2019 for Spring 2020, Jun/Jul 2020 for Fall 2020, or Nov/Dec 2020 for Spring 2021. The primary grant team and a representative of library administration will review the applications and select four teaching librarians per semester for priority use of the active learning space based on a rubric to include the following criteria: interest in learning about and applying active learning in their instruction, dedicated interest in improving their own instruction, potential SHSU student reach, and clarity in written and verbal communication.

Receiving the Steelcase Active Learning Center Grant would have significant impact on Newton Gresham Library (NGL) and the Sam Houston State University (SHSU) community.

Creation of the Steelcase Active Learning Center (SALC) provides a unique motivator for NGL’s teaching librarians to investigate active learning as a teaching method as they learn to use this flexible learning space.  We anticipate increased use of active learning techniques and strategies in library instruction sessions increasing student engagement and encouraging greater mastery of information literacy concepts outlined in the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.

Announcing the creation of the SALC in NGL to the SHSU community, will increase SHSU subject area instructor interest in and request for NGL’s instruction services, including instruction in library research skills and information literacy, in-class research time, and one-on-one assistance with research projects, particularly in their face-to-face courses.  A recent study, from the Greater Western Library Alliance (GWLA), reports that higher education students receiving library instruction as a part of a course’s curriculum have higher retention rates, grade point averages, and successfully complete 1.8 more credit hours per year than those who do not. (2017) Increasing the NGL’s instructional reach has the potential to positively impact SHSU student retention, quality of work, and degree completion.

Opening use of the SALC to all SHSU instructors provides subject faculty with a flexible learning space to experiment with active learning that is uniquely available as it will not be tied to the SHSU class schedule or only available to faculty from a specific college or department.  We anticipate that NGL will be perceived as an early-adopter of SHSU’s new QEP, Active Learning at SHSU, forwarding a cultural shift, across campus, from instructor-centered teaching methods to the student-centered method of active learning.

The multi-use capability of the flexible space after typical instructional hours will increase use of NGL as a community meeting place.  It will provide additional group study space and presentation space for programs hosted by NGL, SHSU units, and student or community organizations. Some examples include:

• NGL sponsored:
  • Night Against Procrastination event
  • Texas Library Association (TLA) Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) Summit
  • Campus Storytime
• SHSU unit sponsored: 
  • New Faculty Investment Series
  • Financial Literacy Month event
  • Organic Chemistry Study Group
• Community sponsored:
  • Scouts BSA Merit Badge Clinic
  • Genealogy Research Night

The anticipated success of the SALC, as demonstrated by these expected impacts, and results of the research project will help inform the future renovation of NGL by demonstrating the need for flexible spaces for instruction and study and its ability to foster community as a central campus hub.

During the two-year Active Learning Center Grant period, the NGL seeks to educate and encourage instructors to use active learning techniques and strategies in their teaching, particularly those which encourage the instructor and students to move within the learning space.

Heather Adair
(Primary Contact)
Instruction Librarian

Ashley B. Crane
Research & Instruction Librarian

Michael Hanson
Head of Technical Services