Each Flipped Learning Module (FLM) is a set of short videos and online activities that can be used (in whole or in part) to free up class time from content delivery for greater student interaction. At the end of the module, students are asked to fill out a brief survey, in which we adopt the minute paper strategy. In this approach, students are asked to submit their response to two brief questions regarding their knowledge of the module.
In this FLM, students are asked to view four videos about searching library resources, interspersed with exercises in which they conduct searches on their topics and reflect on their findings and on the research process.
Key Terms
research, information literacy, library resources
Module Overview
- Searching as Strategic Exploration
- Searching the Library Discovery System
- Search Tips & Overcoming Obstacles (Parts 1 and 2)
- New Search Strategies & Unexpected Results
- Subject Databases & New Directions
- Following Paths & Reflecting on Research
Optional Pre-Lesson Video: Introduction to the BU Libraries
Video 1: Searching as Strategic Exploration
Activity 1: Searching the Library Discovery System
The purpose of this exercise is for you to familiarize yourself with strategies for finding scholarly sources; to begin to learn about the scholarly “territory” for your independent research project.
After doing your searches:
- Describe one kind of source that you hoped or expected you’d find but didn’t find in this preliminary try at searching.
- Identify one source (genre, author, and title) you didn’t expect to find but that looks potentially useful or interesting anyway.
Video 2: Search Tips & Overcoming Obstacles
Video 3: More Search Tips & Overcoming Obstacles
Activity 2: New Search Strategies & Unexpected Results
Now, using BU Libraries Search, try at least two or three additional search strategies that you didn’t try as part of Activity 1.
After doing your searches:
- List 2-3 new strategies.
- Using this range of new strategies, did you find the kind of source that you hoped or expected you’d find in your first search attempt (1a)? If so, what is it (genre, author and title), and why might it be useful? If not, why do you think you didn’t and what will you do next?
- What did you become more curious about through searching, browsing, and selecting these scholarly sources related to your topic during these two activities?
- In several sentences, sum up anything have you learned so far about the scholarly conversation out there about your topic.
Video 4: Subject Databases & New Directions
Activity 3: Following Paths & Reflecting on Research
Using one or more of the databases listed on the course guide, identify two or three sources (genre, author, and title) you think are most promising for your project.
After doing your searches:
- Explain why you think those sources are the most promising.
- Select one of these sources—or a promising one you found in BU Libraries Search in Activity 1 or 2—and “mine” its Works Cited list or bibliography. (These are generally found at the end of an article, a book, or a book chapter.) Choose at least one more source that looks promising and jot down its title/author. (Often one really good source will cite several other promising sources.)
- In several sentences, sum up how your understanding of your topic and the scholarly conversation about it has changed from Activity 1 through Activity 3.
- Be ready to discuss what you learned about research and the research process with your classmates.
